Manchester City, despite their meteoric rise in recent years, have encountered their fair share of transfer flops in the Premier League. Let's delve into the top 10 biggest flops that have marked the club's journey.

10. Robinho: High expectations, fading impact

Robinho's arrival at Manchester City in 2008 was accompanied by much fanfare, signaling the club's newfound financial prowess. His debut season, marked by 14 goals and 5 assists, hinted at a promising tenure. However, his subsequent performances failed to live up to the hype. With just one goal in 12 appearances the following season, he was swiftly loaned back to Santos, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential.

9. Jerome Boateng: A brief and unremarkable time

Jerome Boateng's tenure at Manchester City was far from memorable. Despite his subsequent success with Bayern Munich, his time in Manchester was marred by inconsistency and defensive frailty. The German international failed to establish himself as a reliable presence in City's backline, prompting a swift departure. While his departure was a mutual decision, it underscored his underwhelming spell at the club.

8. Martin Demichelis: Mixed fortunes and off-field issues

Martin Demichelis's role in Manchester City's 2013/14 Premier League triumph cannot be understated. However, his contributions on the field were often overshadowed by off-field controversies. Despite his success under Manuel Pellegrini, there was a prevailing sense that City's achievements occurred despite, rather than because of, Demichelis. His eventual release in 2016 marked the end of a tumultuous chapter in City's history.

7. Stevan Jovetic: Struggles to replicate Serie A form

Stevan Jovetic arrived at Manchester City with a burgeoning reputation from his time at Fiorentina. However, the transition to the Premier League proved challenging for the Montenegrin forward. Despite a promising debut season, marred by injuries and inconsistency, his performances waned in subsequent campaigns. His exclusion from the Champions League squad in the 2014/15 season highlighted his decline, underscoring City's failed gamble on his potential.

6. Jo: The sad record signing

Jo's arrival at Manchester City in 2008 was accompanied by lofty expectations, fueled by his hefty price tag from CSKA Moscow. However, the Brazilian striker failed to justify his transfer fee on the pitch. With a paltry return of six goals in 42 appearances, Jo epitomized City's early struggles in the transfer market. Despite his lackluster performances, he became a symbol of City's transition from mediocrity to excellence, albeit for all the wrong reasons.

5. Benjamin Mendy: A costly investment giving no returns

Benjamin Mendy's arrival from Monaco in 2017 was met with high expectations, especially given his record-breaking transfer fee for a defender at the time. However, injuries and off-field issues plagued Mendy's tenure at Manchester City. Despite flashes of brilliance, Mendy struggled to establish himself as a consistent presence in the team, culminating in his release in 2023 after a prolonged period of absence.

4. Benjani: Struggling to recreate past form

Benjani's transfer to Manchester City in 2008 came with a semblance of promise, given his previous goal-scoring exploits in the Premier League. However, his inability to replicate his form from his Portsmouth days left City fans underwhelmed. With just four goals in 23 appearances, Benjani's stint at City was forgettable, marking another instance of a high-profile signing failing to deliver on expectations.

3. Jack Rodwell: Unfulfilled potential and a rapid decline

Jack Rodwell's arrival from Everton in 2012 was met with anticipation, but his time at Manchester City was marred by injury setbacks and a failure to make a significant impact. Despite being part of the squad that clinched the Premier League title in 2013/14, Rodwell's contributions were minimal, prompting his departure to Sunderland after just two years. His subsequent struggles to find stability in his career serve as a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.

2. Wilfred Bony: A misfit in Manchester

Wilfred Bony's move to Manchester City in 2014 raised eyebrows, with many questioning his suitability for the club's style of play. Despite his prolific goal-scoring record at Swansea City, Bony failed to replicate his form at City, managing just six goals in 36 Premier League appearances. His eventual return to Swansea for a fraction of his initial transfer fee highlighted the misjudgment in City's acquisition of the Ivorian striker.

1. Eliaquim Mangala: A costly mistake

Eliaquim Mangala's arrival from Porto in 2014 was heralded as a significant coup for Manchester City. However, his performances failed to justify his hefty price tag, with inconsistencies and defensive lapses overshadowing his early promise. Mangala's subsequent loan spells and eventual departure underscored the magnitude of City's misjudgment in acquiring the French center-back. His transfer remains emblematic of the risks associated with lavish spending in pursuit of success.

Lessons learned and moving forward for Manchester City

As Manchester City continues to assert its dominance in English football, it's essential to reflect on the lessons learned from past transfer flops. While these players may have fallen short of expectations, their experiences serve as valuable reminders of the complexities inherent in player recruitment. Manchester City continues to assert its dominance on the footballing landscape, the club must learn the lessons from past transfer failures. While these signings may have faltered, they serve as invaluable reminders of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the transfer market. Moving forward, elite signings will be crucial in ensuring sustained success for Manchester City.