Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world. A club that has established itself as a powerhouse of modern-day football. City has been performing like a team on a mission to become the best club in the world. They have been providing fans with magical moments and a sense of pride. The club has become a revelation over the years. One that continues to inspire fans across the globe.
QNET partnered with Manchester City in 2014 as their Official Direct Selling partner and introduced many QNET distributors to the magical world of football. Distributors would learn about this magical synergy and would go on to support them for years. Cheering for them game after game. Over the years, some of the best players have played for the club, yet very few of them are known to many of us. In fact, I came across them while watching old Manchester City matches. A truly remarkable spectacle, their contributions to the club have paved the way for the team one of the best in the world.
So, here is a tribute to all the Manchester City legends who’ve made the club great. And for all the new Manchester City fans, a glimpse of the excellence of some of the most successful players that the club has produced. Of course, we couldn’t include everyone in the list, however, here is an attempt to perhaps include some of the modern greats based on their contributions to the club’s success.
Before we dive into the list, here is a quick glimpse of what Man City has achieved in the past couple of decades.
Manchester City in the past couple of decades
The early 2000s was the time when City began to establish itself as a Premier League regular after their promotion to the top-flight. Under Kevin Keegan’s guidance, they would become a mainstay of the Premier League while also providing stability to the team and its players.
The club had to endure a few challenges along the way. However, when Abu Dhabi United Group acquired Manchester City in 2008, it marked the beginning of a change. Manchester City would appoint Roberto Mancini in 2009 to turn Manchester City into a top 4 club and ultimately win the Premier League. And that’s exactly what happened!
In one of the most remarkable stories in football, Manchester City edged out neighbours Manchester City on goal difference to be crowned the Champions of England for the first time in the competition. What made it remarkable is that they were two goals down in stoppage time. City scored a timely header from Edin Dzeko to reduce the deficit. That was before Aguero won them the title with probably the last kick of the game. The entire stadium was sent into delirium.
After the success of 2011/12, they would go on to appoint Manuel Pellegrini and replicate their feat in the 2013/14 season with a solid campaign. But another change came in the summer of 2016. Perhaps the club’s biggest acquisition came in the form of their current manager Pep Guardiola. The Spanish tactician came into the club with an astute record and vision.
Manchester City has since then taken their game to new heights, winning multiple competitions over the years. Lifting the English League Cup four times in a row and becoming Premier League champions in three of the last four seasons. This comes with City breaking multiple club records and establishing their dominance in the football world.
Timeline of Manchester City since 2000
- 2000 – City return to the Premiership following back-to-back promotions. A 4-1 victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park to seal promotion is followed by a celebratory pitch invasion by the Blues’ enormous travelling support.
- 2002 – Future manager Stuart Pearce captains City as we are promoted back to the Premiership, breaking club records for the most goals scored and most points gained in a season along the way.
- 2003 – It’s an emotional farewell to Maine Road as City’s home for 80 years stages its last football match, City vs Southampton, on Sunday 11th May. The club moves to the impressive, 48,000 capacity, City of Manchester Stadium.
- 2007 – Sven Goran Eriksson replaces Stuart Pearce as manager, and on 15th December, City establish a ‘top flight’ club-record of nine straight home League wins at the start of the season.
- 2008 – The Abu Dhabi United Group become the new owners of Manchester City. Former Wales, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United star Mark Hughes becomes the new City Manager. The club breaks the British transfer record for the second time with the £32.5m signing of Robinho from Real Madrid.
- 2009 – Roberto Mancini, former manager of Inter Milan, replaces Mark Hughes in December.
- 2010 – The Blues enjoy their best ever Premier League campaign, finishing 5th and qualifying for the Europa League in the process, as well as reaching the League Cup semi-finals.
- 2011 – The long wait for a trophy ends when the Blues beat Stoke 1-0 to lift the FA Cup and qualify for the 2011/12 Champions League for the first time too!
- 2012 – City wins the League Championship for the first time in 44 years following a thrilling Premier League campaign. A last-gasp Sergio Aguero goal against QPR secures the title in the most dramatic fashions at a jubilant Etihad Stadium.
- 2014 – Manuel Pellegrini’s side clinches two trophies in one season for the first time since 1970, lifting the Capital One Cup and Premier League title. A 3-1 win over Sunderland at Wembley in March earns the club’s first League Cup win since 1976 before the Blues win the League Championship by two points.
- 2016 – In February, City lift the League Cup for the second time in three seasons, winning a shootout against Liverpool following a 1-1 draw at Wembley. Willy Caballero saves three penalties in a row to clinch the third trophy of Manuel Pellegrini’s reign. Earlier in the same month, it was announced that Pep Guardiola would replace Pellegrini in the summer after agreeing to a three-year contract with the club.
- 2018 – City beat Arsenal 3-0 to win the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
- 2018 – City crowned Premier League champions for the fifth time after a record-breaking campaign under Pep Guardiola.
- 2019 – City beat Chelsea on penalties to win Carabao Cup at Wembley.
- 2019 – City beat Brighton and are confirmed as Premier League champions for the sixth time in the club’s history.
- In 2019 – City win FA Cup with record-equalling 6-0 win over Watford
- 2020 – City wins third-successive League Cup with 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
- 2021 – City secure a third Premier League title in four seasons and also clinch a fourth successive League Cup triumph.
Source: https://www.mancity.com/club/manchester-city-history
Here is the list of trophies the club has won in the past decade –
Manchester City trophies since 2010
- Premier League – 4 (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019)
- FA Cup – 2 (2011, 2019)
- League Cup – 4 (2014, 2016,2018, 2019)
- Continental Cup – 3 (2014, 2016, 2019)
- Community Shield – 3 (2012, 2018, 2019)
All these titles have been a result of years of hard work, commitment and passion of many people. Including some amazing players who’ve played for Manchester City. Their efforts and contributions have made the club one of the best in the world, and they have written their names in the history books as Manchester City legends.
Manchester City Legends
1. Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is arguably the best Manchester City player to have ever played and an absolute legend of the modern game of football. He made over 300 appearances scoring 250+ goals and providing 47 assists during his time.
He was club the record signing in 2011 when City bought him from Atletico Madrid for 38 million pounds. Right from the word go, he was on fire, scoring on his debut against Swansea at the Etihad stadium. Aguero would go on to score 30 more times during this season to help City win their first title.
He was one of the best in the business, and his goal-scoring record speaks for itself. But it wasn’t just his goal-scoring ability; it was his overall gameplay that made him City’s talisman. He was responsible for many phenomenal performances, including the five goals he scored in a single match against Newcastle United in a blockbuster City game.
Best moment as a Manchester City player for Sergio Aguero
However, his best performance in a City shirt is probably the last-minute goal against QPR that won them the Premier League title. It was City’s first title in 44 years. A moment that will be talked about for generations. Aguero strode past the entire QPR defence before slotting the ball clinically past the goalkeeper to give City an iconic victory.
Over the years, Aguero has been highly instrumental for City. Here are the titles he won during his time at City –
- 5 Premier League titles
- 6 League Cups
- 1 FA Cups
- 3 Community Shields
A master with the ball, Aguero will be remembered as one of the greatest players to have ever played for City!
2. Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany has been one of the best defenders in the modern era. Perhaps, one of the most complete defenders with his ability to read the play, command his team and win crucial games. Manchester City signed him from German club Hamburg on the 22nd August, 2008. He would go on to become the club’s most successful defensive recruitments.
Kompany’s style of play would resonate with a traditional Center-back with the qualities required for modern-day football. His defensive prowess was well demonstrated by his excellent mobility, aerial ability and leadership qualities. He also was technically sound and had an ability to seamlessly distribute the ball.
Since his debut at West Ham United, he has made over 300 appearances for the club at the heart of the City defence. After a couple of solid seasons, he was awarded the captaincy in the 2011/12 season. It was one of the best seasons for City. They lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 44 years. As many experts reckon, while scoring goals is important, it is usually a solid defence that wins titles. As was the case with City with one of the tightest defences. In that season, they conceded a mere 29 goals.
Best moment as a Manchester City player for Vincent Kompany
On 6 May 2019, Kompany scored one of the goals of the season in a 1–0 victory over Leicester City. When the ball rolled towards him well outside the Leicester City box, no one expected him to shoot. However, he gracefully ran towards the ball and unleashed a scorching belter from over 30 yards out. A truly memorable moment for the Captain and an extremely crucial goal that would help City win the title over Liverpool by a single point.
Over the years, Kompany has been monumental for City, helping City win multiple titles and forming one of the league’s best defences. Here is a list of all the trophies that Kompany won with City –
- 4 Premier League titles
- 4 League Cups
- 2 FA Cups
- 2 Community Shields
Kompany will be remembered as one of the greatest City players. He was an astute personality who led City with his heart on his sleeve. His contributions were commemorated as City built a statue for the legend outside the Etihad stadium. It was unveiled in August, 2021.
3. David Silva
David Silva is perhaps one of the most stylish and technically gifted players to have ever played for the club. The mercurial magician had a unique style of play, and he could control and manipulate the ball effortlessly. A true genius when it comes to picking a pass or dictating the tempo of the game.
Manchester City signed Silva from Valencia in 2010 for a fee estimated to be around 30 million. It was one of the biggest transfers in the club’s history. And his impact was instant as he would take to the field and mesmerise Cityzens with his dazzling performances.
David Silva was the creative heartbeat of the City squad making 436 apps and scoring 76 times. In addition, his creative prowess was demonstrated by his ability to make crucial assists. He sits at 6th in the all-time list of most assists in the Premier League with 93.
Best moment as a Manchester City player for David Silva
David Silva’s best moment and perhaps his finest performance in a City shirt came in the 6-1 win over neighbours, Manchester United. City dominated the mid-field courtesy of some brilliant football from David Silva. Silva scored the fifth goal of the match after being released by Dzeko. He calmly nutmegged the United goalkeeper to register himself on the scoresheet. But his most remarkable moment came after a few minutes when he set up Dzeko with a sublime half-volley that would give Dzeko a chance to seal the game with a simple finish.
David Silva has truly been remarkable for Manchester City. Here is the list of accolades that Silva helped City win during his decade with the club.
- 4 Premier League titles
- 5 League Cups
- 2 FA Cups
- 2 Community Shields
Silva is adored by City fans and has established himself as a City legend. Like Kompany, his contributions have been commemorated with a statue outside the Etihad stadium.
So, these were some of the most celebrated and perhaps some of the best players to have played for the club in recent times. These players have created a tradition and set a benchmark, inspiring new City players to follow in their footsteps and lead the club to greater heights.
Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva have forever written their names in the Manchester City history books. They will always be remembered fondly as true Manchester City legends!
