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.

Xabi Alonso has now taken charge of Chelsea for five Premier League matches, and the first impression has been one of mixed outcomes rather than clear progress. Some of the club’s summer arrivals have barely featured, while others have had enough minutes to show both promise and the limits of what they can offer at this stage.

At the bottom of the list are Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra, both still waiting for their Chelsea debuts after injuries and delayed returns disrupted their starts. Emegha’s early summer work in behind-closed-doors friendlies was cut short, while Palestra, signed for $62 million (£47 million), remains sidelined despite Alonso repeatedly suggesting he would be back soon. For Geovany Quenda, the picture is not much brighter. The 19-year-old has managed only 27 minutes since arriving from Sporting CP, and his path into the side remains blocked across several roles.

Jordan Henderson finally made his first appearance in the fifth game of the season, starting in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford. The veteran’s leadership has been evident, but his real value will be judged by what he produces on the pitch. Valentín Barco, meanwhile, has been used sparingly but has looked steady enough in limited outings, mainly in the Carabao Cup, even if Alonso has preferred other options in midfield.

Emiliano Martínez has brought experience to the goalkeeping role, but he has not dramatically changed Chelsea’s defensive issues. There is still concern after 10 goals were conceded in four games. Maxence Lacroix has been more prominent, and early performances against Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion suggested he could be a key figure, though recent mixed displays have placed him under renewed pressure.

Pep Chavarría has perhaps offered the most encouraging value. Used mainly from the bench, he has settled well and exceeded modest expectations, even if questions remain at both ends of the pitch.

Bruno Fernandes met the scrutiny of the previous week with a performance that dominated Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town on Sunday. After Michael Carrick had backed his captain before United’s first league match at Old Trafford, Fernandes produced the more convincing defence of his own form, scoring three times and adding an assist.

United were not fluent at the start and, in a line-up that felt oddly familiar, they fell behind inside the opening half-hour. Fernandes changed the tone before the break by racing clear to finish a sharp counter attack and level the score. An own goal from Jacob Greaves then pushed United ahead, and Fernandes made the result secure from the penalty spot in the 61st minute.

His influence only grew from there. Fernandes dictated the tempo, involving teammates, supporters and even the heavy second-half rain as United took control. In the final stages, he added a third goal with a low finish into the bottom corner before supplying Bryan Mbeumo with a precise ball over the top for United’s late fifth.

For all the quality of Fernandes’s display, the wider picture was less comfortable for United. The back line again drew attention, with the same defensive quartet used in Erik ten Hag’s first home league selection in 2022-23 reappearing for Carrick’s first home league game of 2026-27. Consistency is one thing, but the passage of time has not brought the sort of defensive progress United would have wanted.

Luke Shaw endured a difficult afternoon, beaten for Ipswich’s opening goal and later outpaced again before the visitors added a second late on. Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire were also caught in a back four that looked vulnerable throughout, despite the result eventually swinging heavily in United’s favour.

United finished with the stronger numbers, including 60 percent possession, 33 shots and 4.55 expected goals, but the match will be remembered first for Fernandes, whose response to criticism was as forceful as it was decisive.