Eleven players who defined Guardiola's Man City era

Figure caption, The games which defined Guardiola's six league titles After a decade of unprecedented success, Pep Guardiola is about to bid farewell to Manchester City. Since arriving in 2016, the Catalan has turned the club into a footballing superpower, winning 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. While records have continuously tumbled in the face of his ruthless, possession-based style, it is his shaping of some of the best footballers in the world that leaves an indelible mark. From reinventing positions and formations, spotting potential in the academy, to cultivating a Ballon d'Or winner, Guardiola has made careers. Many who starred during his tenure have departed not only as club legends but global stars. Here, BBC Sport compiles a list of 11 players who defined Guardiola's decade in charge. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Raheem Sterling scored 10 or more Premier League goals in five consecutive seasons for Manchester City Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (4), FA Cup (1), EFL Cup (5) Individual honours: PFA Young Player of the Year (2018-19), FWA Footballer of the Year (2018-19), MBE 2021 Raheem Sterling joined Manchester City from Liverpool in the summer of 2015 in a £49m deal - a record fee for an English player at the time. He arrived as a gifted winger but questions remained over his end product and goalscoring ability. Under Guardiola he matured, repaying his manager's faith with 131 goals during his seven-year stint at the Etihad, scoring 20-plus goals in three consecutive campaigns. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest FA Cup final goal in history, clocked at 12 seconds, in 2023 Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (5), Champions League (1), FA Cup (2), EFL Cup (4), Uefa Super Cup (1), Club World Cup (1) Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year x1 Ilkay Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing as Manchester City manager, joining from German club Borussia Dortmund in 2016. The midfielder quickly became a pivotal player during his seven seasons in Manchester, bringing composure, balance and precision to the heart of midfield. The ultimate unsung hero. The German led from the front as captain in 2023 as Guardiola's side won the Treble, signing off with a stunning volley against rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final before lifting the Champions League trophy. Image source, Getty ImagesAppearances: 319 Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (6), Champions League (1), FA Cup (2), EFL Cup (4), Uefa Super Cup (1), Club World Cup (1) Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year x4 The £45m fee Manchester City paid to acquire full-back Kyle Walker from Tottenham in 2017 raised many an eyebrow, though the England international would go on to be a stalwart of the Guardiola era. His trademark speedy runs from right-back added an extra dimension in attack while his lightning-quick recovery pace proved key in quelling danger at the back. Another leader in the dressing room for all six Premier League title wins under Guardiola, Walker wore the armband as the side clinched a record-breaking fourth consecutive crown in 2024. Image source, Getty ImagesAppearances under Guardiola: 175 Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (2), FA Cup (1), EFL Cup (3) Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year x2, Statue at Etihad Stadium Fresh off the back of winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain, David Silva swapped Valencia for Manchester, becoming the club's biggest statement signing since the 2008 takeover. He spent a decade at City, first under Roberto Mancini, then Manuel Pellegrini, before playing the role of creative spark for Pep Guardiola in his final four seasons, during which his manager hailed him as "one of the greats". Silva recorded 93 assists during his stay in the Premier League, more than anybody else across that time, and seventh on the all-time charts. Regarded by fans as the greatest to ever play for the club, 'El Mago' or 'the magician' is one of three modern greats to have a statue marking his contributions outside Etihad Stadium. Image source, Getty ImagesAppearances: 372 Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (6), Champions League (1), FA Cup (2), EFL Cup (4), Uefa Super Cup (1), Club World Cup (1) Individual honours: Premier League Golden Glove x3, PFA Team of the Year x2, Fifa Best men's goalkeeper 2023 Shortly after arriving in Manchester, Pep Guardiola made headlines when he replaced England number one Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo. His reason? He wanted a goalkeeper who was good with his feet. While Bravo was not a success, Guardiola got it right second time around when he signed Ederson from Benfica the following summer. The Brazilian's ball playing ability transformed the team's style, inviting opponents to press high to create space for attackers to thrive higher up the pitch. He even notched a record seven Premier League assists. His high-risk approach

Eleven players who defined Guardiola's Man City era

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Eleven players who defined Guardiola's Man City era

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