Since their takeover in 2008, Manchester City have had the pleasure of having several all-time greats playing at the peak of their powers for them.
The challenge was to handpick City’s five greatest players in the Premier League era, which we decided to take on.
5. Yaya Toure: The man who shocked the world at Manchester City
When Yaya Toure joined Manchester City in 2010, he was known for being the second-in-command to Sergio Busquets as a defensive midfielder at Barcelona.
However, early into his time in England, the Ivorian legend opened the world’s eyes to the fact that he was a force to be reckoned with going forward.
The Champions League winner developed into a devastating midfielder, who scored goals for fun, singlehandedly dribbled past entire teams, had an eye for a pass and changed games at the drop of a hat.
What was remarkable to witness was how Yaya Toure could produce moments of magic consistently, especially when all eyes were on him to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Manchester City perhaps may never see a player like him again as such forces of nature only grace the game once every decade.
4. Vincent Kompany: Mr. Manchester City
The phrase, “captain, leader, legend” was perhaps coined for players like Vincent Kompany.
In August, Oleksandr Zinchenko hailed the Burnley boss on FIVE’s YouTube channel as “the best captain” he has ever played with in his career, which sums up his all-encompassing leadership abilities.
Signed for just £6 million (Manchester Evening News), the Belgian was a true fan favourite during his time at Manchester City as he constantly persevered through persisting injury problems by returning to the pitch and reminding his critics that he was one of the best in the business.
Vincent Kompany was a centre-back who would have thrived across every era of football due to his incredible football brain, intimidating physical stature, leadership and impeccable ball-playing ability.
Kompany was a man for the biggest stages, always stepping up to the plate with all-conquering performances and even bigger goals, such as his unforgettable winners against Leicester City during the 2018/2019 campaign or in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford during the 2011/2012 season.
Vincent Kompany is one of the few players to have a statue outside the Etihad Stadium and rightfully so.
3. Sergio Aguero: The man, the myth, the legend
From the moment Sergio Aguero scored the most vital goal in Manchester City history against QPR to seal his side’s first-ever Premier League title, his status as a club legend was instantly set in stone.
Much like Vincent Kompany, the Argentine hitman especially came alive against the very best, scoring 44 out of his 184 goals in the league against sides in the ‘Big Six’ such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal.
If not for his diminutive stature, which restricted him from being an aerial threat, it would be fair to claim that Aguero was a truly flawless No.9.
The retired striker had every type of finish in his locker, the ability to beat players, expert link-up play and pace to burn.
A phenom in the truest sense of the word, Sergio Aguero dazzled for a decade in a Manchester City shirt and likely gave defenders nightmares for the rest of their lives.
2. David Silva: A true genius
David Silva exemplified the fact that all a player needed was technical brilliance and a one-of-a-kind football brain to become an elite player.
Notably, the Manchester City icon defied the norm of having to be a brute to succeed in the Premier League.
Instead, the scrawny David Silva taught footballing lessons to his meanest opponents, who were likely humbled after having been hypnotised by his masterful technique and balletic elegance.
As Unai Emery rightly said, “he was magic” (via the Premier League’s official YouTube channel), blessed with an immaculate first touch, an enviable variety of short and long passes in his arsenal, a unique understanding of how to dictate a game and silky feet that allowed him to ghost past opponents despite his lack of pace and power.
One of the many reasons why Manchester City have dominated English football since the 2010s is because they had an edge over their competitors by having a true genius dismantling oppositions from the middle of the park for the most part.
1. Kevin De Bruyne: The gold standard at Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne, quite simply may be the greatest player to have ever donned the Manchester City strip, not just during the Premier League era but of all time. The 32-year-old’s range of passing, ability to strike the ball and run a game singlehandedly has been at a level above and beyond any other City player in the past.
As a result, the £54 million (The Telegraph) midfielder has been the complete package for years on end and managed to perform at a higher level than any of the club’s fellow legends while also winning every single major trophy at the Etihad Stadium along the way.
In addition, De Bruyne has been up there amongst the five to ten best playrs in world football for almost a decade consistently, which perhaps cannot be said for the rest of the Sky Blues greats.
What is frightening is that Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne’s time at the top does not look like it is coming to an end anytime soon.
