Manchester City, one of the most successful clubs in English football – and one of the few sides to have won the treble, achieving the feat under Pep Guardiola in the 2022/23 campaign – have seen some truly remarkable players grace their ranks throughout an illustrious history, particularly in the club’s current era under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership.

But that’s not to say the club hadn’t enjoyed success before. While the period from 2008 onwards brought a meteoric rise thanks to a financial boom at the Etihad Stadium, the Cityzens had already secured two First Division titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup prior to the takeover. As a result, some incredible figures from the past are still spoken about today and fully deserve their place among the greats.

Below is a ranking of the 10 greatest Man City players of all time, taking into account their contributions, ability, and impact on the team’s success.

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10

Mike Summerbee

1965-1975

Playing on the right wing, Mike Summerbee was one of the most influential players in the Manchester City side which won four trophies in three seasons from 1968 to 1970. Something of a practical joker, Summerbee (or “Buzzer” as teammates nicknamed him) was also known for a fiery temperament, which endeared him to teammates and fans.

In his first season (1965/66), he was the only City player to start every match, helping gain promotion, and he maintained a consistent, high-energy presence for a decade. Nowadays,at 83 years old, he remains a club ambassador.

9

Francis Lee

1967-1974

Francis Lee, known for his goal-scoring prowess and flamboyant playing style, deserves a place on the list of the greatest Man City players. He was considered the “missing piece” to their successful late-1960s side, scoring 148 goals in 330 appearances and leading them to major silverware.

He played a vital role in City’s First Division title win in 1968 and helped the team reach the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970. His impact as a forward and his eye for goal make him a true legend of the club, and he formed one-third of one of the club’s best attacking trio alongside the aforementioned Mike Summerbee and someone else (more on him later…).

8

Bert Trautmann

1949-1964

Bert Trautmann’s remarkable story and achievements earn him a place among the greatest Man City players. The German goalkeeper joined City shortly after serving in the Luftwaffe during World War II, where he earnt five medals before becoming a prisoner of war in Britain.

Named FWA Footballer of the Year for 1956, Trautmann entered football folklore with his performance in the 1956 FA Cup final. With 17 minutes of the match remaining, Trautmann suffered a serious injury while diving at the feet of Birmingham City’s Peter Murphy. Despite his injury, he continued to play, making crucial saves to preserve his team’s 3-1 lead. His neck was noticeably crooked as he collected his winner’s medal; three days later, an X-ray revealed it to be broken.

7

Bernardo Silva

2017-present

He may not make headlines in the same way the likes of Erling Haaland does, but Bernardo Silva has been one of Guardiola’s most reliable assets ever since his £43.5 million switch from Monaco in 2017. A shrewd operator in midfield, who has repeatedly won over his own fans over the years for the fieriness he’s shown his opponents (particularly Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool), he worked his way up to captaincy in the 2025/26 season.

It’s his leadership and reliability that has been an important cog in a side that won six Premier League titles and a Champions League. Current rumours suggest he might be leaving the club once his contract expires at the end of the season, but after winnign everything under the sun, he can do so on a dizzying high.

6

Yaya Toure

2010-2018

One of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, Yaya Toure was a force of nature in midfield. The Ivorian combined strength and stamina with remarkable technical skills and a keen eye for goal. His driving runs from midfield were a trademark feature of City’s attacking play, often leading to crucial goals, such as those in the 2014 title run-in.

His towering performances during the 2013/14 season, where he scored an impressive 20 league goals, underline his immense contribution to the club, and it was he, above most others, who helped really the Cityzens awake from their slumber.

5

Vincent Kompany

2008-2019

Vincent Kompany, the Belgian defensive stalwart, embodied leadership and commitment during his time at Man City. Now Bayern Munich’s chief, his commanding presence at the back, combined with his ability to score crucial goals, made him an inspirational figure for both his teammates and the supporters.

The highlight of his captaincy came in the 2018-2019 season, during one of his final games for the club, when he scored a remarkable long-range goal against Leicester City, ensuring that City finished above Liverpool and won the Premier League.

4

David Silva

2010-2020

David Silva’s elegance and creativity made him a fan favorite and a key component of Man City’s rise to dominance. The Spanish playmaker possessed exceptional technical ability and an eye for the perfect pass – a perfect encapsulation of the tiki-taka subtlety is nation was known for at the time.

Silva was an instrumental figure in four of City’s Premier League triumphs and helped establish the team’s possession-based style of play.

His influence on the pitch and ability to unlock defences with his sublime skills make him one of City’s all-time greats, though he would no doubt rank ever-so slightly higher if he had been around in more recent years, when the club went from having a chokehold on English football to complete superiority.

3

Kevin De Bruyne

2015-2025

Kevin De Bruyne established himself as one of the finest midfielders in the world and a true talisman for Man City. Arriving at the club in 2015 with a lot to prove after Chelsea let him go to Wolfsburg all too easily, the Belgian maestro was instrumental in City’s domestic and European successes. De Bruyne’s exceptional vision, passing range, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game make him a formidable force in midfield.

He was a defining factor in City’s multiple Premier League titles and their lone Champions League triumph. De Bruyne’s impact on the team and his consistently high level of performance make him deserving of a place among the greatest Man City players of all time, and as the dust continues to settle on his departure, debates around whether he was better than Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard continue to be had.

2

Sergio Aguero

2011-2021

Sergio Aguero’s impact on Manchester City cannot be overstated. The Argentine striker became an icon of the club during his ten-year tenure, scoring an astonishing 260 goals in 390 appearances to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The former Atletico Madrid boy wonder’s incredible goalscoring ability and knack for delivering in important moments were pivotal in City’s success, including their first Premier League title in 2012, famously secured in stoppage time against Queens Park Rangers. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest strikers to not only play for Man City, but to have ever graced English football.

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1

Colin Bell

1966-1979

Colin Bell, known as “The King of the Kippax,” is widely regarded as the greatest player in Man City’s history. His skill, vision, and exceptional passing ability made him an integral part of the team’s successes during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Bell played a crucial role in helping City win numerous domestic honors, including the First Division title in 1968 and the FA Cup in 1969. He was not only a gifted midfielder but also a true leader on and off the pitch. As a central figure between 1966 and 1979, his ability to dominate games, create chances, and score 153 goals in 501 appearances made him a “complete” player who drove City to multiple major trophies during a time when the club wasn’t blessed with wealthy owners.