Toronto FC have Michael Bradley. The Portland Timbers have Diego Chara. The Seattle Sounders had Ozzie Alonso.
There might not be a more important position in football than the holding midfielder, the player tasked with connecting the defence to the midfield, conducting play in possession from deep, and screening the back four from attacks with smartly timed tackles, interceptions and astute sensing of danger.
Manchester City might well be the best team in the world at present. It is no coincidence that their two consecutive losses to Leicester City and Crystal Palace in December came without Fernandinho.