Many of the most influential players in Manchester City's history, plus a few flops, arrived at the club between 2009 and 2018
Manchester City lift the Premier League trophy in 2018
Manchester City lift the Premier League trophy in 2018(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Manchester City's success over the last 15 years has been called into question following the Premier League's ruling on alleged breaches of its rules.
City have been found guilty of all charges related to financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons by an independent commission. The club was found to have used a £1billion scheme to inflate revenues and reduce costs through a series of "sham" contracts.
City, who continue to deny any wrongdoing and intend to appeal against the verdict, face severe sanctions, including expulsion from the Premier League, a points deduction and a huge fine.
City signed 45 players for a total of £1.2bn during the period covered. They included players who were pivotal as City won seven major trophies, including three Premier League titles.
Here, we assess the players signed, the successes and failures, and give you a chance to rate their influence on the club via our interactive widget below!
2009/10 (£126m spent)
Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott, Roque Santa Cruz, Kolo Toure and Gareth Barry.
While he doesn't warrant legendary status, Teves was one of the era's most important signings. Plucking him from Manchester United was a huge signal of intent from the owners.
While less heralded, Kolo Toure and Gareth Barry were great influences on the team. While Adebayor looked like a good signing on paper, he faded after a bright start. Santa Cruz's spell didn't work out due to a combination of injury and competition for places.
Gareth Barry, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez of Manchester City celebrate for Manchester City in 2009
Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez celebrate with Craig Bellemy in 2009(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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2010/11 (£157m)
Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli, David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov and James Milner.
David Silva leads this impressive list of signings, with Yaya Toure not far behind. Kolarov and Milner were outstanding servants, too. Dzeko deserves more credit than he gets (remember the equaliser against QPR), while Balotelli was brilliant and bizarre in equal measure.
2011/12 (£78m)
Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy.
City fans need no reminder of Aguero's standing. The best signing of the era, perhaps? Nasri was outstanding at times but also frustrating, while Clichy provided great stability at left-back. The less said about Savic's season at City, the better. It was, quite simply, a disaster.
Sergio Aguero of Man City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at the Etihad Stadium on January 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Sergio Aguero is regarded as the greatest striker in the club's history(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
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2012/13 (£53m)
Javi Garcia, Matija Nastasic, Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Maicon.
Following arguably the best season of recruitment, this was probably the worst. Nastasic made a bright start and was voted young player of the year in his first season before falling away, while Garcia was a solid addition to the midfield but nothing more. The rest can be labelled flops.
2013/14 (£99m)
Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas.
Fernandinho was one of City's most important signings and is widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in Premier League history. Negredo gained cult status for his role in winning the 2013/14 title before injuries derailed his City career. The versatile Navas had his moments, while Jovetic was another whose impact was limited by injury.
Alvaro Negredo enjoyed an excellent start to life at City
Alvaro Negredo enjoyed an excellent start to life at City(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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2014/15 (£88m)
Eliaguim Mangala, Wilfried Bony, Fernando and Willy Caballero.
Fernando was average at best, while Mangala and Bony were complete flops. Caballero was a popular and dependable number two keeper who saved three penalties in the Carabao Cup final shootout against Liverpool.
2015/16 (£179m)
Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Otamendi and Fabian Delph.
De Bruyne is a contender for the accolade of greatest City player of all time, let alone during his era. Sterling was outstanding but was sold at the right time, given his career has gone into freefall since. Otamendi and Delph were excellent servants, too.
Sterling formerly played for Manchester City
Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne were crucial to City's success(Image: Getty Images)
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2016/17 (£185m)
John Stones, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan, Claudio Bravo and Nolito.
Another largely excellent year of signings, with Stones and Sane leading the way, although things didn't work out for Bravo and Nolito. Jesus was excellent back-up to Aguero.
2017/18 (£272m)
Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Danilo.
The most expensive season of the era saw the club bring in club heroes Laporte, Ederson, Walker and Silva. Danilo was a solid squad player while Mendy's City career was curtailed by off-pitch issues.
What do you think?
Now is the time to have your say! Rank the best and worst Man City signings between 2009 and 2018 in the widget below.