It’s the time of year again – the January transfer window – so what better time to create a Best XI signings who arrived in January? 

The below players all joined during the winter transfer window and it’s a pretty decent line-up! 

Formation: 4-3-3 

Manager: Mark Hughes – the king of the January transfer window! 

Shay Given 
Joined from Newcastle United to compete with Joe Hart for the No.1 shirt – one of several high profile arrivals in January 2009. 

Michael Ball
Ball arrived on the last day of January 2007 for a ‘nominal fee’ – a left-back by trade, he’ll have to take on right-back duties in this team… 

Wayne Bridge 
Another left-back – and a very left-footed one at that – Wayne Bridge was signed from Chelsea on 2 January 2010 for an undisclosed fee. He would make just 58 appearances in four years at the club. 

Aymeric Laporte 
Laporte signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and spent six highly successful seasons with City before moving to the Saudi Pro League. 

Daniel van Buyten 
Kevin Keegan signed the classy van Buyten on the last day of the 2004 window and though his loan stay was brief, he made a huge impression on City fans – but the club didn’t have the funds to make the deal permanent.  

Nigel de Jong 
Tough tackling de Jong was signed by Mark Hughes from Hamburg and went on to become one of the most popular midfielders of modern times during a four-year stay with the Blues. 

Patrick Vieira 
Recruited from Inter for his experience and leadership qualities by manager Roberto Mancini in 2011, Vieira would prove a key signing as we ended our 35-year wait for a trophy. 

Craig Bellamy 
Bellamy was another January 2009 recruit for Mark Hughes  - and what a signing he proved to be. Fiery, fast and often furious, the City fans loved Bellamy’s passion. 

Edin Dzeko 
The Bosnian Diamond arrived in January 2011 from Wolfsburg and would play his part in helping the Blues reach – and win – the FA Cup final five months later. Still a favourite today, Dzeko was a key part in our 2011/12 title win. 

Julian Alvarez  
The Blues agreed Alvarez’s transfer on January 31, 2022 – but loaned him back to River Plate until July. He was unveiled alongside Erling Haaland in August 2022. 

Gabriel Jesus 
After reaching an agreement with Palmeiras in August 2017, Gabriel Jesus arrived at City the following January and he would go on to score 95 goals in 236 appearance over a six-year stay. 
 

Subs:
David James, Wilfried Bony, Felipe Caicedo, Georgios Samaras, Robbie Fowler, Arnie Arason, Andrei Kanchelskis, Benjani 

As well documented, football can provide a rare kaleidoscope of emotions hurtling from ecstasy to agony in seconds.

Unfortunately for Naomi Layzell, she suffered the harsh realities of this during one of the greatest nights in her fledgling career so far.

A summer signing from Bristol City, the defender made a promising start to life at Manchester City – making three appearances at the start of the campaign where she showed why she’s one of the country’s most exciting young talents.

That earned her a starting place in our opening Champions League assignment – a meeting with reigning European champions and a team many would consider the current world’s best, Barcelona.

A perhaps surprising but deserved inclusion from the off, she played a starring role by scoring and registering an assist in front of a record Joie Stadium crowd as we recorded a famous 2-0 victory.

With City expertly protecting our lead as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, the mood shifted for Layzell as she was forced off the field before the final whistle through injury which has kept her absent since.

“I was in pain”, she admitted.

“But it was really strange because it was quite innocuous. It wasn’t as if it was a big mechanism that caused it.

“In the moment I was still elated from the game and I wasn’t really thinking I could be out for a while. I was just thinking about finishing the game, but I couldn’t weight bear or walk.

“You’re always going to be a bit optimistic until you have a reason not to be. In the moment, I tried not to let it tarnish the evening I’d had.

“I’d say it’s been an interesting one. Initially the injury displayed didn’t seem that bad. Then I had a few little setbacks, and it wasn’t progressing as I thought it would have.

“It was quite frustrating because normally I’m used to healing quickly and getting back ahead of timelines. Thankfully over the past few weeks I have progressed and I’m in a much better place than I was and feeling physically fit and hoping to get back fit and among the team in the next few weeks.”

As the 2024/25 season has progressed, Gareth Taylor’s side have been struck with a swathe of injury issues which has seen options limited at the back end of 2024.

Joining Layzell on the treatment table in recent weeks have been key members of City’s squad such as Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Alex Greenwood.

For the defender, though, having a support network within the recovery room has been crucial to her rehabilitation process as she can lean on and lift her colleagues up in times of hardship.

She continued: “Unfortunately we’ve had quite a few injuries and the girls who are rehabbing inside and in the gym are really supportive of each other.

“[They’ve been] checking in, asking how we’re doing, what we’re up to and how rehab is going.

“When you then go see the girls and they’re running for the first time or back in training you’re just buzzing for them because equally they’d be really happy for you.

“There are days where you’re thinking ‘I’m doing the same programme’ or haven’t changed what I’m doing, but just having the girls to bounce off in the gym and the staff are really helpful and really supportive and what you’re going through.”

A great strength of Taylor’s side is the togetherness and high team morale among his players which is reflected in training sessions, matches and away from the field.

This, Layzell, explained has not only helped her as she looks to return to action but also when settling into a new environment following her summer switch from Bristol City.

She also revealed that those recovering from injuries have been coming together to watch our midweek away Champions League assignments which have helped her connect with her new colleagues on a more personal level.

“When we have away days in the Champions League we’ll all try to watch the game together and just try to have that support network so we’re all a team within a team,” she added.

“We’ll go to one of the girls’ houses and have dinner at half-time maybe and just watch the game together.

“It’s just nice to be together. I wouldn’t want to watch it on my own at home when I’m sort of thinking I could’ve been there.

“You’re also super happy for the girls but sometimes nervous and nail-biting.

“St Polten away when we were behind, we were thinking we need to get some goals here. When you’re watching together and the goals go in you can show a bit more emotion.

“It’s just really nice. You’re like a fan, but you have a really invested and interest in the game and you go through all the emotions, but you just want to support them and do what you can for the team.

“Sometimes when you’re away from it you’re just thinking I wish I could be [there].”

“I think it’s nice to see the girls in a different environment.

“You see people here [at the CFA] every day but to go round each other’s house, have dinner together and have different conversations than the ones you may have at training.

“You get to know each other on a more personal level, which is really important. We are colleagues, but we’re also friends at the same time. To build those relationships off the pitch is really good.”

Interview: Sam Cox

Justin Oboavwoduo says City’s Elite Development Squad will not be resting on their laurels in spite of what has been a hugely positive first half of the Premier League 2 campaign.

The City youngsters went into the Christmas and New Year break sitting top of the PL2 table after a superb run of eight consecutive wins was rounded off with a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest.

For lead coach Ben Wilkinson – who took charge of the side in the summer – and his talented pool of players the first five months have been everything they would have wanted and more.

Premier League 2 champions for three seasons in a row between 2020/21 and 2022/23, our Under-21s suffered a frustrating campaign last season.

This time round however, Oboavwoduo says there has been a determination to try and replicate the form that brought those three successive titles.

A fine tally of 36 points from 10 games means the City Under-21s have more than met the challenge so far and Oboavwoduo says it is nothing less than what he and his team-mates had targeted at the outset of the campaign.

“The first half of the season has been very positive,” Justin reflected.

“Being top of the table was something we set our sights on at the start of the season, and we really wanted to start positively and to win as many games as possible.

“So now that we're top of the table it is something that we're pleased about, but obviously we will all be striving to finish at the top come the end of the season.

“It's given us the belief that if we play our A game, we can go out there and compete with any side.

“We know that when we keep the ball it’s hard for opposition to win it back and that we create a lot of chances.

“So, I think it's given us a good confidence that if we go out there and if we perform well, we can beat any team.

“We want to win the Premier League 2 title again. Last year we came up quite a bit short from that.

“So, we want to show everyone how much we've improved, and trying to win the PL2 title is our main priority.”

There have been myriad positives in terms of City’s blistering form in the league.

That record of nine wins out of ten alongside a league best tally of 36 goals scored have helped illustrate just how potent Wilkinson’s side have been.

Oboavwoduo has more than played his part in that prolific return, scoring seven goals from 18 appearances across all competitions.

But when asked to pinpoint what the key factors were behind the hugely impressive past few months, Oboavwoduo pointed to the intensity and desire to get the most out of every moment as being the key drivers.

“I think everyone's known what their role in the team is,” Justin added.

“We've all worked hard to maximise every day on the training pitch to be able to carry out our jobs whether we are training or in the games.

“So, I think the intensity that we've brought as well has been high to be able to outrun the opponents to win games.

“Our attacking unit has contributed well and so have our defensive unit in keeping the goals out.

“I think collectively we've performed well to win as many games as we have.

“But I think really, it's just about what we do on the training pitch every day. The importance of that was highlighted at the start of the season – the fact that we need to make the use of every day on the training pitch.

“That's the only way it's going to transcend onto match days.

“So, I think we have all tried to work hard and earn our spot in the team and that starts in training, and I think it's shown on game days.

“Now we just want to keep that going.”

Interview: Neil Leigh

In a new occasional series, we look back at former players who came back to haunt us…

#3: STEVE LOMAS
WEST HAM UNITED 2000

Whether Steve Lomas was seen as the pantomime villain in City’s 1995-96 relegation or not is not precisely known with the passage of time.

If he was, it was an unfair overview of his time with the Club which spanned six years after he progressed from the youth team after training with City from the age of 12.

Lomas was a whole-hearted competitor who would rack up well over 100 appearances for the Blues, but on the final day of the 1995-96 campaign, City hosted Liverpool needing a win to have a realistic chance of avoiding the drop.

Lomas had the misfortune to score an own goal after just six minutes and, later in the game with the score at 2-2, misinformation led Lomas to shield the ball in the corner in order to run down the clock believing a draw would be enough - when, in reality, another goal was needed.

Lomas attempting to waste time – not his fault at all – is an abiding memory of perhaps the ultimate ‘Typical City’ moment in our history.

The Northern Ireland international remained with the Club during the turbulent 1996-97 campaign but was allowed to join West Ham United in March 1997.

Whether Lomas felt aggrieved or not that perhaps some pointed the finger in his direction, only he knows, but if he did want a bit of payback, he had the chance in November 2000.

Joe Royle’s struggling side travelled to East London more in hope than expectation to take on a West Ham side that had been playing good football but hadn’t enjoyed the best of results.

After surviving an astonishing Michael Carrick miss, the Blues had a goal ruled out for offside – but not long after, Spencer Prior gave Royle’s side a 32nd-minute lead.

If the 4,000 travelling City fans had wondered how Lomas would react towards them during the game, on 53 minutes, they were left in no doubt as he thundered a shot past Nick Weaver before celebrating wildly in front of the travelling army of Blues.

There was feeling and anger in that celebration and, worse still, a lifelong City fan – Trevor Sinclair – made it 2-1 five minutes later!

The Blues would go on to lose 4-1 on a miserable afternoon at Upton Park.

But there is a footnote - Lomas wanted to stay at City and his celebration did not necessarily show his true feeling towards the club he held so much affection for.

In 2011, he said: “I loved City. I had chances to move, but stayed because of the supporters, even when we were relegated. My dad was a Wythenshawe boy and a Blue. I wanted to stay but left in March 1997. City wanted to cash in on me.

“There’s a lot of jealously towards City now, but I don’t begrudge them the money because City’s fans deserve success. They had over 30,000 in the third tier of English football. City fans have suffered for years through thin and thinner. I’m delighted that things are looking up.”

Either way, he enjoyed that goal in 2000!

Feature: David Clayton

As we enter the new year, we once again caught up with our FPL Scout… 

1. How have you assessed City’s season so far in FPL?

City started the FPL season with a bang and, as they were for the majority of last season, felt essential. However, injuries and long periods of absence for key assets such as Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m), Phil Foden (£9.1m), and Rodri (£6.3m) have restricted their productivity in fantasy football. With key assets returning to the squad and the fixture run looking friendly, City assets will be back on the menu for FPL managers in the coming weeks.

2.     Who has been the standout City options in FPL this term?

Erling Haaland (£14.9m) is City's current high scoring player. The forward registered 98 points so far this season. He is currently owned by 39% of all FPL managers. Haaland is top for both expected goals (xG) and expected goal involvements (xGI) for City this season and his 69 attempts on goal this season is three times as many as the next best De Bruyne who has had 23. 

3.     Who has been City’s hidden gem?

Mateo Kovacic (£5.4m) is only owned by 1.3% of all FPL managers. However, the midfielder is the fourth highest scoring City player in FPL this season. His 45 points this campaign is better only by Haaland, De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva (£6.3m), with the latter only one point ahead. This is despite Kovacic missing the last four Premier League matches through injury, he was available from the bench for the Manchester derby in Gameweek 16. The midfielder has had 20 attempts on goal, the same as Foden this season, he has also created 14 chances for his team-mates. At a budget friendly £5.4m and at a very low ownership, Kovacic has already been a hidden gem and this should continue into the new year.

4.     Best differentials so far and who could be game changers in the new year?

The best differentials don't stay differential for long. The likes of Morgan Rogers (£5.4m), Brennan Johnson (£6.7m) and Chris Wood (£6.6m) have all been great differentials over the course of the season so far. However, as they continued to put in better and better performances and return points regularly their ownership grew. The key with differentials is jumping on them early before the rest of the FPL managers. This way you benefit not only from their points but also from the price rises that inevitably come from good performances. 

Foden and De Bruyne started their first Premier League game together in Gameweek 16. With the pair back to fitness, they could be real game changers in the new year, especially as they are owned by just 3.9% and 5.0% of managers respectively. Outside of City, Fulham and Crystal Palace have excellent fixtures from January. Managers in need of defenders to replace the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri should look to invest in the likes of Antonee Robinson (£4.7m) or Daniel Munoz (£4.7m) who both have plenty of opportunities for clean sheets as well as good attacking threat. Both are differentials currently and look set to be game changers given the form and fixtures. 

5.     What would be your new year tips for January?

Think really carefully about your chip strategy as we come into the new year. The second Wildcard becomes available after Gameweek 19 and having a plan for when to use it will be important.

As will working out when best to play the Bench Boost, Triple Captain and Assistant Manager chips. It can be really tempting to play the Wildcard as soon as it becomes available, but try to hold it until your team really needs major changes. 

Managers should also focus on the fixture swing clubs as we enter the new year and look to target them. The likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace and Chelsea could be good teams to target.