Since taking charge at Manchester City in 2016, Pep Guardiola has overseen one of the most dominant eras in English football. Central to that success has been his recruitment—players who brought elite ability and the tactical intelligence to fit seamlessly into his system. Here we count down his Top 10 Best Signings at Man City, ranked by impact, consistency and legacy.
10. Riyad Mahrez
Signed from Leicester City in 2018 for £60 million. He went on to win four Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League.
Mahrez’s creativity on the right wing, his composure in tight knockout ties and his clutch moments made him an invaluable piece even if he wasn’t always a guaranteed starter.
9. Aymeric Laporte
Arrived in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for approximately £57 million. At his peak, Laporte was City’s most composed and intelligent centre-back: his left-footed balance helped steady the backline, particularly in the 2018-19 title win. Won five Premier Leagues, one Champions League and two FA Cups under Guardiola.
8. John Stones
Signed in 2016 from Everton for £47.5 million. Stones developed significantly under Guardiola—from raw talent into a world-class defender and even a hybrid midfielder.
His role in the 2022-23 treble campaign illustrated how far he had come. Won five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, two EFL Cups and one Champions League.
7. Bernardo Silva
Brought from AS Monaco in 2017 for £43.5 million. Silva’s intelligence, versatility and indefatigable work-rate allow him to shine both on the wing and in midfield.
Key in controlling tempo and stepping up in big fixtures in Europe and domestically. Trophies: five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and one Champions League.
6. Rúben Dias
Signed in 2020 from Benfica for roughly £62 million. Dias arrived and immediately brought leadership and defensive resilience, winning the FWA Footballer of the Year in his first season.
With him in the backline, Guardiola’s defence found the missing piece. He helped City to three Premier Leagues, one FA Cup and one Champions League.
5. Erling Haaland
Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 for approximately £51 million. A generational goal-scorer who smashed records with 52 goals in his debut season and completely changed the dynamic of City’s attack.
His arrival helped propel City to the Champions League and Premier League dominance. Trophies include two Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, and one Champions League.
4. Kyle Walker
Joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for around £50 million. Walker adds pace, power and defensive stability on the right flank—his ability to shut down elite wide attackers has been central to City’s structure, especially during the treble-winning era.
Trophies: six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, six EFL Cups and one Champions League.
3. Ederson
Acquired from Benfica in 2017 for £35 million. He is the only goalkeeper Guardiola has brought in at City so far and has been integral to every major success since.
Known as one of the best ball-playing keepers in the Premier League, his distribution and composure fit perfectly into Guardiola’s style. Trophies: six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and one Champions League.
2. Rodri
Signed from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for approximately £62.5 million. Rodri dictates games, breaks lines, protects the defence and is now arguably Guardiola’s most indispensable outfield player at City. Notably, City did not lose a single game in the 2022-23 season in which he featured.
He also scored in the Champions League final. Trophies: five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, two EFL Cups and one Champions League.
1. İlkay Gündoğan
Guardiola’s first signing at City, arriving in 2016 from Borussia Dortmund for £21 million. Gündoğan rose to become one of the club’s most important players in clutch moments—scoring crucial goals in title-runs and finals, including a brace in the 2023 FA Cup Final.
As captain during the treble-winning season, his legacy at City is cemented. Trophies: five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and one Champions League.
NOTABLE MENTIONS:
Gabriel Jesus, João Cancelo, Nathan Aké, Manuel Akanji, Ferran Torres, Kalvin Phillips, Mateo Kovačić.
