Jan 24

Jan 24 The 5 Greatest Manchester City Players of All-Time

The Greatest Football Players in Manchester City History

Since its formation in 1894, Manchester City have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and before that as Ardwick Association FC and St. Mark’s (West Gorton).

In the 128 years of Man City, there have been many faces pass through, many of which have written their names into the club’s folklore.

From City’s FA Cup hero Bert Trautmann to midfield maestro Yaya Toure, and more recently, Kevin De Bruyne – the best creative midfielder the Premier League has ever seen, arguably – the club have been incredibly lucky.

With such a rich history, competing throughout England’s top two divisions, cup competitions and battling for European trophies, here are the “Top 5 Greatest Manchester City Players of All Time”.

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5. Mike Summerbee (1965 – 1975)

Inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2004, Mike Summerbee is a figure all Cityzens should learn about.

Joining City in 1965 from his boyhood club, Swindon Town, Summerbee would go on to spend 10 years in Blue, making 449 appearances and scoring 67 goals.

The notorious right-winger was part of a successful Man City side that was seen as the greatest attacking side in the club’s history.

Despite not playing as an out-and-out striker, Summerbee was vital to the team’s four trophies between 1968 and 1970, becoming First Division champions, FA Cup winners, League Cup winners and lifting the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

Also known as “Buzzer”, the player was known for his fiery temper, being described as “retaliating first” by fellow cult figure Francis Lee.

Summerbee debuted for England in 1968, as the Three Lions drew with Scotland in front of a 134,000-full Hampden Park, which would help secure qualification to UEFA Euro 1968.

The winger would go on to make eight international appearances, scoring once.

The City legend would eventually move on from the club, with spells at Burnley, Blackpool, Stockport and Mossley, but he was only able to score a handful of goals in his years after Man City.

4. David Silva (2010 – 2020)

With 77 goals and 140 assists in 436 appearances, David Silva is one of the most creative and exciting players in Man City’s history.

Arriving in Manchester as a World Cup winner, the midfielder burst onto the scene as he scored an all-important goal against RB Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League.

Silva would then open his domestic goal contributions account, scoring and assisting against Blackpool in a 3-2 away victory.

This was just the start of a long-lasting career at the Etihad.

The Spaniard possesses the ability to play as a winger or attacking midfielder and played both positions during his 10 years with City, occasionally being moved into the false-nine role when needed.

Like De Bruyne, Silva had the ability to find any player with a pass, breaking the lines between midfield and attack, before playing an inch-perfect ball to supply an assist to a goal, usually scored by Sergio Agüero.

Also known as El Mago, Silva’s individual honours consist of: 1x Manchester City Player of the Season, 1x Manchester City Players’ Player of the Season, 3x PFA Team of the Year and 1x UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament.

These awards, alongside four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cup wins and three FA Community Shield lifts, speak for themselves when it comes to Silva’s impact and his importance in Man City’s previous decade.

3. Colin Bell (1966 – 1979)

To have a stadium stand named after you must be one of the biggest honours in football!

With the Etihad Stadium’s west stand named after him as a tribute, it is clear that Colin Bell is a huge inspiration to many at the club, and a significant figure in City’s history.

Making 498 appearances for the Cityzens and scoring 153 goals from midfield, Bell is unquestionably one of the greatest players to ever play for Man City.

Bell ranks fifth in the number of most appearances for the club and the fourth all-time leading goalscorer.

Inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005, selected as one of the Football League’s 100 Legends in 1998, Bell’s accomplishment continued far past his retirement.

This added to his First and Second Division titles, FA Cup title, two Football League Cups and a single UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

Bell was the epitome of what it meant to play for Man City, earning the nickname “The King of the Kippax” while at Maine Road.

Later, he was also called “Nijinsky” after the famous racehorse, due to his incredible stamina and unforgiving pace.

Pep Guardiola summarised what the club legend meant to everyone surrounding the club when speaking after his death, following City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United in 2021 -

“It’s an honour to dedicate this victory to Colin Bell and his family. When Colin Bell has a stand at the Etihad, when his name in the King [of the Kippax], it’s because he was something special.”

Bell also experienced a successful international career with England, making a total of 48 appearances for his country, finding the net on nine occasions.

As part of the club’s famous Bell-Francis Lee-Summerbee trio, and applauded for his 13-year stay with City, Colin Bell will forever be cherished by City fans all around the world.

He is remembered for his dedication to the city, as well as the club.

2. Vincent Kompany (2008 – 2019)

“Where do you want your statue, Vincent Kompany?” – Gary Neville, 2019- Kompany rockets home a shot from the best part of 25 yards against Leicester City.

This helped Man City claim their fourth Premier League title and pip Liverpool to the trophy by just one point.

This was just one of Kompany’s major defining moments in a City shirt, during an 11-year spell.

Having joined the club in 2008, Kompany has overseen the revitalisation of Man City since the financial takeover.

The now-36-year-old started his journey at Anderlecht before making the switch to England from Hamburg, following impressive spells at both clubs.

Kompany would go on to be regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history, alongside the likes of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Sol Campbell.

Following 338 appearances, 20 goals and dozens upon dozens of clean sheets, Kompany was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

However, the city of Manchester meant so much more to the Belgian than just the football. Kompany’s charity work was admirable throughout his time with the Premier League champions.

All in all, Kompany was a legend to the people of Manchester, not just the fans of the club. And he loved a goal against Man United. So, how could you not love him?

1. Sergio Agüero (2011 – 2021)

The World of football witnessed one of the greatest moments in Premier League, and football, history thanks to Sergio Agüero.

Just a decade later, this world collectively shed a tear when the striker announced his retirement from the sport due to cardiac arrhythmia.

With 260 goals in 390 appearances for the Cityzens, a club with which he spent 10 years, it is not difficult to see why he was so loved (and feared by the Premier League defenders).

Agüero signed in 2011 for just £38 million, and just one month later, welcomed himself onto the world stage by scoring two brilliant goals and assisting another against Swansea City in a 4-0 victory.

In his first season, he would go on to score a total of 30 goals in 48 games. £38 million already looked like a steal and would go on to prove himself time and time again through the next nine seasons.

The Argentinian striker was well-known for his pace, strength on the ball and sharp-shooting ability and, despite his height, he was highly dangerous in the air.

Sadly, he was plagued by injury throughout his career.

However, he still managed to break three major records – Manchester City’s all-time leading goalscorer, the highest non-English scorer in the Premier League and the most Premier League hat-tricks.

Agüero even held the record for the most Premier League goals scored by a player for a single club, until it was broken by Harry Kane in 2022.

Agüero left the club in 2021 with 13 medals and the love of an entire fanbase, boasting four Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, one FA Cup and three Community Shields.

The striker was also able to win the Premier League Golden Boot and was twice included in the PFA Team of the Year.

In 2022, the striker finally added the World Cup trophy to his CV, but as a member of the Argentinian national team’s coaching staff, rather than a player.

To most football fans, Agüero will just be THAT goal against QPR. But to Manchester City supporters, he was so much more.