Over €2 billion spent
Haaland, Rodri & Co: Pep Guardiola’s top 10 Manchester City signings ranked
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It will take some time to acclimatise to Pep Guardiola being absent from the Manchester City dugout next season after an incredible decade in charge. The legendary Spaniard decided to step away from the English club as comfortably the most successful manager in the club’s history. Guardiola delivered 20 trophies across his tenure at City including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.
Every Pep Guardiola signing
At Manchester City
Despite not winning the league In his final season, the 55-year still secured silverware with the League Cup and the FA Cup. Enzo Maresca will return to the Etihad as the head coach after previously working as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff with the unenviable task of replacing him. Guardiola’s brilliance is unquestionably but critics will point to the eye-watering amount he spent as Man City manager, which eclipsed €2 billion. To shine the light on his transfer business, we’ve ranked his top ten signings from the 72 he made as City boss.
Pep Guardiola’s top ten Man City signings ranked
1. Erling Haaland: €60m
Yes, Erling Haaland only spent four seasons under Guardiola and some of the other players joined well before but acquiring the Norwegian for just €60m was an absolute bargain. Moreover, Haaland scored at a phenomenal rate for City with 162 goals in 198 goals, including 52 in City’s treble winning season. There’s a legitimate argument that some players contributed more for City under Guardiola and that’s true but Haaland is the first superstar the club have had.
2. Bernardo Silva: €50m
An absolutely incredible servant to City and unlucky to miss out as Guardiola’s best signing. Bernardo Silva arrived from Benfica predominantly as a tricky winger but he was transformed under the Spaniard and performed so many roles, at such a high level. Tremendous value at €50m and Silva is unequivocally a City legend, departing in the summer for Real Madrid. Silva played the most minutes of any outfield player under Guardiola (32,934).
3. Ederson: €40m
The demands on a goalkeeper in Guardiola’s system were unique before it became replicated by so many coaches. And Ederson is the best goalkeeper in history with the ball at his feet. The Brazilian was so comfortable in possession and able to start attacks – he also provided eight assists for City. Tremendous value at €40m.
4. Kyle Walker: €52.7m
Kyle Walker was unbelievably important to Guardiola at City and eventually became captain. Only Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Ederson played more minutes under the Spaniard and Walker was the best right-back in the world for a sustained period. His recovery pace allowed City to play a high line, which was crucial to their approach.
5. Rodri: €70m
Alongside Lionel Messi, Rodri is the only player to win the Ballon d’Or while coached by Guardiola. Eyebrows were raised when City invested €70m to sign him for Atletico but he remains one of the best midfielders in the world. Was magnificent as City won the treble, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final.
6. İlkay Gündoğan: €27m
İlkay Gündoğan was Guardiola’s first signing after joining City and he admired the German so much that he brought him back to the club again from Barcelona. Gundogan was such an intelligent player and fitted in perfectly alongside Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva and Bernardo Silva. 65 goals and 48 assists in 358 games under Guardiola is a tremendous return for a midfielder. Exceptional value for money at €27m.
7. John Stones: €55.6m
John Stones was far from the finished product when Guardiola signed him from Everton but he developed into one of the best centre-backs in the world. Another who fitted perfectly into Guardiola’s philosophy, Stones’ ball-playing ability was outstanding and led to him playing in midfield in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
8. Riyad Mahrez: €67.8m
The Algerian was an absolute joy to watch and one of the most technically gifted wingers of his generation in the Premier League. After inspiring Leicester City to their unthinkable title, Riyad Mahrez added another four at City, three League Cups, two FA Cups and one Champions League. Registered 137 goal contributions in 236 games and firmly deserves a place on this list.
9. Rúben Dias: €71.6m
Rúben Dias was the defensive leader that City required to get over the line in the Champions League and would’ve been higher but the massive fee – the sixth most expensive centre-back in history. The Portugal international was the cornerstone of City’s defence to win the Champions League and remains a key player.
10. Manuel Akanji: €20m
Played the fewest games of any player in this list with 136 but totalled the fifth most minutes in City’s treble winning campaign with 3,814. Manuel Akanji was such a shrewd arrival for just €20m and he exceeded expectations during his time at the club.
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