Top 10 Best Man City Signings Since Sheikh Mansour Took Ownership
Manchester City was transformed by the takeover of Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi Group in 2008.
For many years, the Cityzens had struggled to keep their heads above water, having had spells in the lower leagues prior to returning to the top flight in 2002.
However, over the last 16 years, the club has become a powerhouse in world football, with the owners having invested heavily in the first-team squad.
So, who have been the best signings since the arrival of the club’s current owners? Press the next page as we rank the top 10 players.
10) Raheem Sterling
The likes of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez were considered but the England international’s impressive return of 131 goals and 73 assists in 339 appearances for City means he just edges out those players in our top 10.
9) Kyle Walker
We rated the fullback second in our top 10 best signings of the Pep Guardiola era. You cannot underestimate the defender’s importance to a team that has won 5 league titles, 1 Champions League and 10 other trophies during his time at the Etihad.
8) Pablo Zabaleta
The Argentine just beats Walker to 8th on our list. He may have not won as many major honours as his fellow right-back but Zabaleta was very consistent over his nine-year spell at City.
7) Erling Haaland
The Norwegian cost the Ciytzens just £52m when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 due to a release clause. He went on to break the Premier League scoring record in his first season at the club.
6) Fernandinho
The Brazilian was a mainstay in City’s midfield for nine seasons. He did all the dirty work, breaking up opposition attacks, and he allowed others around him to make the most of their talents.
5) Yaya Toure
The midfielder was an absolute colossus who could pretty much do it all. His 79 goals and 49 assists in 316 appearances played a huge part in City winning eight trophies, including three league titles.
4) David Silva
A “magician” would be the best word to describe the Spaniard. Despite his slight frame, he was never unduly troubled by the physicality of English football. He glided across the pitch, and his outstanding footballing intelligence meant he was always one step ahead of his opponents. During his decade at the Etihad, Silva made an incredible 216 goal contributions in 436 appearances.
3) Vincent Kompany
The Belgian actually arrived at City four years before they won their first Premier League title. Manager Mark Hughes initially used him as a holding midfielder before his successor Roberto Mancini recognised his strengths as a centre-back. He developed into a leader on the pitch for his team, captaining the side for eight years before he left in 2019 after City won their fourth title.
2) Kevin De Bruyne
The midfielder will not only go down as one of the best players ever to put on a City shirt, he will also be regarded as one of the greatest of the Premier League era. You only have to look at the stats and trophies that he has won to justify those claims. He has scored 100 goals for the club, in addition to 166 assists. De Bruyne has also lifted 5 five league titles and won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year on two occasions.
1) Sergio Aguero
It would be difficult to put anyone else on top of this list. The Argentine not only scored a remarkable 260 goals for City; making him the club’s all-time top scorer, he also made history by scoring the crucial winning goal which sealed City’s first Premier League crown back in 2012.