Manchester City
Manchester City’s 25 Greatest Players, Recast Through the Club’s Long History
From Meredith to Haaland, Manchester City’s greatest players span a century of talent and success.
Manchester City’s story cannot be told through the modern era alone. The Sheikh Mansour years produced unprecedented success, but the club’s history runs far deeper, with major figures emerging across every era from the early 20th century to the present day.
Across title-winning teams, cup-winning sides and seasons of turbulence, City have always been shaped by players capable of changing games and defining eras. There have been forward leaders, fearless defenders, reliable goalkeepers and midfielders who set standards that lasted for years. Taken together, they form a portrait of a club built on talent as much as silverware.
Among the earliest names is Billy Meredith, whose first spell at City made him the club’s star attraction. He scored 151 goals and was central to the Second Division title win in 1898-99. Tommy Johnson also left a lasting mark, netting 158 league goals and setting a club record with 38 in a single season. Eric Brook, a powerful and explosive striker, became City’s all-time leading scorer with 177 goals, a mark that stood for almost 80 years.
The modern era brought another layer of distinction. Joe Hart provided a dependable presence in goal during the club’s transformation, while Vincent Kompany became both captain and symbol of the rise to dominance. Fernandinho gave the side its balance in midfield, and Ederson changed expectations of what a goalkeeper could do with the ball.
Further forward, Carlos Tévez brought goals and edge, Dennis Tueart supplied flair and one unforgettable overhead kick, and Francis Lee established himself as a relentless scorer in the club’s great 1960s side. Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell, Tony Book and Peter Doherty all helped define successful periods, while Bert Trautmann’s courage and Alan Oakes’ longevity remain central to the club’s identity.
More recently, David Silva, Yaya Touré, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Erling Haaland have all continued that tradition at the highest level. Their impact has helped turn Manchester City into one of the dominant forces of the era, without erasing the scale of what came before.
Manchester City
David Silva Ends Retirement With a Goal in Hong Kong Appearance
Silva’s short comeback ended with a penalty goal, player of the match and a final farewell.
David Silva briefly stepped back into competitive football and marked the occasion with a goal, three years after retirement.
The four-time Premier League champion, forced out after an ACL injury, made his first competitive appearance since retiring in 2023 when he was selected against Hong Kong Rangers on Saturday. There was no sign of hesitation from the midfielder, who delivered the decisive moment in the 56th minute with a composed penalty.
His strike put Supreme Sha Tin ahead, although Hong Kong Rangers levelled 10 minutes later to leave the match locked at 1-1 by full-time. Silva completed 84 minutes and was named player of the match, finishing a brief return that was always intended to be a one-off.
Supreme Sha Tin remain 10th in the Hong Kong Premier League after collecting five points from their opening seven fixtures. For Silva, though, the result was secondary to the chance to finish on his own terms.
His career had already been defined long before Saturday. After making his name at Celta Vigo and Valencia, he joined Manchester City in 2010 and spent a decade there, producing 436 appearances, 77 goals and 136 assists. He later returned to Spain with Real Sociedad before the knee injury brought his playing days to an end.
After the match, Silva reflected on the support he received by posting: “Thank you Hong Kong for the love you have always given me,”
That message also carried the tone of a farewell. Having already said he would feature only once for Supreme Sha Tin, Silva has now completed that final outing and gone back into retirement after finding the net one last time.
Leeds United
Trafford Explains City Exit as Donnarumma Fit Comes Under Scrutiny
Trafford says leaving Manchester City was vital for his wellbeing, while Donnarumma’s fit is questioned.
James Trafford has opened up on the reasons he felt compelled to leave Manchester City, saying the lack of regular football took a serious toll on him. Now at Leeds United, the 24-year-old has described last season as a difficult period after making only four Premier League appearances.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Trafford was candid about the emotional strain of being confined to the bench. He said it was “horrendous” to be forced to watch from the sidelines, and explained how he leaned on family and friends just to cope with the situation.
“You are ringing a lot of people and just venting,” he explained. “Like most people, you have a [bad] day at work and you ring someone up.
“I ring my dad, I ring my mum, I ring my missus, I ring my mates. I like ringing my mates and we can just have a good talk about it all. It’s quite funny.
“I had to play regularly this season for my own mental wellbeing. You just lose yourself not playing. Maybe I’m different, I don’t know, but the feeling of not playing every week, it felt horrendous.
“I just had to play every week this season for that mental feel-good and to keep progressing with my career and edging me closer to achieving the dreams I want to achieve.”
Trafford’s departure has also revived discussion around Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose form and suitability have been questioned amid several high-profile mistakes. The concerns have centred on whether he is the right fit for Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach, particularly given that footwork has long been viewed as one of his weaker areas.
Trafford, by contrast, is seen as a goalkeeper comfortable on the ball and better suited to a possession-based system. Maresca recently offered a measured assessment of Donnarumma, saying, “He’s quite relaxed in terms of he recognizes that he has made some mistakes, but at the same time he has also made some good saves,” he said recently. “It’s just a matter of balance. Try to avoid mistakes and continue to do the right things.”
There had also been suggestions that City looked more secure defensively in cup matches when Trafford played, but the continued backing of Donnarumma left him with no route to stay in the summer. The club instead chose to keep faith with the Italian as they attempted to build towards a Premier League title push.
Manchester City
Manchester City face calls for further scrutiny after guilty verdict
Manchester City’s appeal continues as calls grow for more scrutiny over possible breaches beyond 2018.
Manchester City’s legal troubles may not stop with the 114 charges already found against them for Premier League financial breaches. According to The Independent, some English soccer executives now want the club examined for possible offences beyond 2018, raising the prospect of fresh action.
City maintain their innocence and have already launched an official appeal against the sweeping guilty verdict. That appeal means any sanctions are currently on hold, but the range of possible punishment remains severe, from heavy fines and transfer bans to a points deduction and even Premier League expulsion.
The latest report centres on a simple question: “What changed overnight?” It points to the club’s commercial income staying at the same level in the years after the investigation period ended, despite the scrutiny only covering conduct up to 2018. The Independent also says the club’s relationship with their Abu Dhabi-based “sponsors” did not change, which has fuelled suspicion that further breaches may exist beyond the original case.
If additional wrongdoing were uncovered, City could face more charges. There is also the possibility of title sanctions, with the club at risk of being stripped of trophies won during the years in question.
The scale of the issue is significant because City’s honours list spans both the period before 2018 and the years after it. They won three Premier League titles between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, then added five more, including four consecutive league triumphs from 2020-21 to 2023-24.
Not everyone wants another investigation, however. The Independent reports that some feel executives are “getting ahead of themselves”, especially as the original inquiry, which took three years, has still not been completed. Others argue that a fresh probe would only prolong a case many would rather see finally closed.
