Who are the best Manchester City players of all time? The club’s trajectory took a momentous turn as the “Blue Moon” rose following Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover in 2008.
Able to attract the world’s best players since then, the club can now live by its motto translated into English as “Pride in Battle” Here’s the ten best Manchester City players ever:
10. Fernandinho
Arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 following a bumper £34 million move Fernandinho dominated from midfield. Attempting almost 15,000 passes, he completed 88.4% of them, and he had one of the highest work rates of any player during his time.
Manchester City got bang for their buck with Fernandinho across a nine-year spell across both attack and defence. He went on to win the Premier League five times and was runner-up in the Champions League Final in 2021.
9. Paul Doherty
Before the oil money, Northern Irishman Paul Doherty was plying his trade for Manchester City during the 1940s and 50s with 74 goals in 119 games.
Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002, and into City’s two years later, Doherty earned a reputation for his dribbling, creativity and scoring ability.
8. Bert Trautmann
Have you ever thought an ex-Nazi soldier could become a Manchester City legend? Shot-stopping phenomenon Bert Trautmann did just that as he owned the 50s and 60s, appearing in 508 league games.
Before becoming a cult hero fans had vocally protested his inclusion. Saving 60% of penalties against him in his career and playing the 1956 FA Cup final with a broken neck cemented his legacy.
7. Yaya Toure
One of Manchester City’s best players ever and one of Africa’s greatest footballers ever, Yaya Toure was a major force in City’s rapid rise after arriving from Barcelona in 2010.
Toure dominated the midfield box-to-box with his overpowering physicality, defensive IQ and his ability to score. Through eight seasons, Toure helped guide the club to an FA Cup win and three Premier League titles.
6. Kevin De Bruyne
Oh my! Chelsea bought Kevin De Bruyne from Genk in 2012, only to send him on loan to Werder Bremen before offloading him permanently to Wolfsburg. City would buy him from the club for a then-club record £55 million in 2015.
Since then De Bruyne has become the complete footballer. When he gets going his playmaking ability from midfield is unstoppable. His biggest individual accolade was finishing third place in the race for the Ballon d’Or.
5. Tony Book
Despite only joining the club as a 31-year old from Plymouth Argyle, Tony Book became one of the greatest ever Man City defenders during his eight years at the club.
Book became the club captain and helped guide the team to four major trophies, with the 1967-68 First Division title, and 1969-70 European Cup Winners’ Cup the biggest achievements.
4. Colin Bell
Linking up with the club from Bury in 1966, Colin Bell became one of the best Manchester City players ever as well as one of England’s greatest ever midfielders, earning a reputation for his skill and versatility.
So special was Bell, he was even voted Manchester City’s greatest ever cult-hero and earned the nickname “The King of the Kippax”. Dominating the 1960s and 70s he went on to play 394 games for the club and score 117 times.
3. Vincent Kompany
Arriving from Hamburger SV in 2008, Kompany quickly became a key leader within the team and was named club captain in 2011. It wasn’t long before he gained a reputation worldwide for his physicality, leadership and consistency from the back.
Kompany served as club captain in eight of his 11 seasons at the club. He helped guide the team to four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and was awarded Premier League Player of the Season in 2012.
2. David Silva
David Silva joined Man City from Valencia in 2010 and across a 10-year spell, dominated the Premier League. A magician with the ball, he helped propel City into one of the biggest clubs in Europe with his technical ability, creativity and vision.
Silva was able to dictate the play of games across his 309 Premier League games. Before leaving the club in 2020 to finish his career off at Real Sociedad, he scored 60 times and made 93 assists.
1. Sergio Agüero
Sergio Aguero is Manchester City’s best player in history. The all-time leading scorer for the club when he departed in 2021, his impact on the club towards its modern era success cannot be measured.
Aguero scored a very efficient 184 goals in 275 games. Cementing his status into both club and Premier League folklore was his Premier League winning injury time winner against QPR to snatch the 2011-12 title away from bitter rivals Manchester United.