Since Sheikh Mansour’s momentous takeover, Manchester City has become one of the powerhouses in world football.
The club has seen immense success, with players like Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, and Sergio Aguero leading them to numerous titles and trophies over the past decade.
However, not every signing has lived up to expectations. There have been expensive failures and disappointing flops along the way that did not live up to the legendary status Manchester City aims for.
In this article, we will rank and discuss the ten worst signings the club has made in the last decade, according to our assessment.
- Fernando
Fernando, the Brazilian midfielder, looked promising on his debut but failed to live up to expectations. Despite showing glimpses of strength and decisiveness, he didn’t fit well with the managerial styles of Manuel Pellegrini or Pep Guardiola. His best performance came early, and from then on, his form declined, making him a forgettable signing for the club.
- Nolito
Nolito was an unexpected signing by Guardiola in his first summer at the club. While he started brightly with six goals in 11 games, his form soon faded. Moreover, he struggled to settle in Manchester and eventually proved to be a risk that didn’t pay off for the club.
- Roque Santa Cruz
Roque Santa Cruz arrived at Manchester City with a significant injury history, and the £17 million fee was a gamble that didn’t work out. Injuries and poor form plagued his time at the club, and he departed after just 24 games, leaving fans disappointed.
- Javi Garcia
Billed as a mobile alternative to Nigel de Jong, Javi Garcia’s passing ability fell short of Manuel Pellegrini’s high standards. The £16 million signing failed to make a significant impact, leading to his eventual departure from the club.
- Emmanuel Adebayor
Initially seen as a statement signing, Emmanuel Adebayor failed to deliver consistent performances. While he scored some crucial goals, injuries and a lack of form limited his impact during his three-year stint at the club, making him an underwhelming signing overall.
- Stevan Jovetic
Stevan Jovetic was the marquee £22 million signing amidst several arrivals during a busy summer transfer window. Unfortunately, repeated injuries hampered his time at the club, and he struggled to find consistent form, scoring just 11 goals in 44 games before leaving.
- Scott Sinclair
Impressing against Manchester City for Swansea, Scott Sinclair’s move to the Etihad Stadium was full of promise. However, he struggled to break into the first team, starting in just two games during his three-year stay, ultimately falling short of expectations.
- Jack Rodwell
Jack Rodwell’s time at Manchester City was marred by a series of hamstring injuries, preventing him from making a lasting impact. His two-year stay was filled with disappointment, making his signing a regrettable episode for the club.
- Eliaquim Mangala
Eliaquim Mangala’s record-breaking £42 million transfer made him the most expensive defender at the time. Despite a promising start, he struggled with nerves and inconsistency, failing to justify the significant investment made in him.
- Wilfried Bony
Topping the list is Wilfried Bony, who never seemed to fit into the fast-paced and dynamic playing style of Manuel Pellegrini’s team. Despite his physical presence, he struggled to find his place in the squad, making him the most disappointing signing of the last decade.
While Manchester City has enjoyed immense success over the last decade, there have been a few signings that have not lived up to expectations.
Whether due to injuries, poor form, or simply not fitting the team’s style, these players failed to make their mark at the Etihad Stadium.
It serves as a reminder that even the biggest clubs can have their fair share of missteps in the transfer market.
As the team continues to build and evolve, it’s essential to learn from these experiences and make more informed decisions to maintain their position as one of the top teams in world football.
