While some players take time to settle at a new club, this top ten hit the ground running. So, who took the fewest appearances to hit double figures in a City shirt?
Sergio Aguero 11
Given he opened his Premier League account by scoring two goals in a debut lasting just 32 minutes, it’s no real surprise to see Sergio Aguero top of this list. The Argentine had a stunning first season at the Etihad Stadium after arriving from Atletico Madrid in August 2012, and he netted 30 times in all competitions. Sergio hit a hat-trick against Wigan in his fourth ever league game for the club, and took just 11 appearances to reach his tenth goal, which arrived against Newcastle.
Robinho 14
Another City star who announced his arrival with a debut strike, Robinho opened his account at home to Chelsea. The Brazilian continued to display his appetite for goals against the top clubs and was on the scoresheet against Arsenal and Spurs, as well as grabbing his first hat-trick at home to Stoke. Clearly a home bird, nine of Robinho’s first ten goals in a City shirt came at the Etihad Stadium.
Uwe Rosler 16
Arriving on trial in March 1994, Uwe Rosler proved his worth by recording five goals before the end of the season and was rewarded with a permanent deal in the summer. Five more league strikes followed early in the following campaign and it took the centre forward just 16 appearances in total to reach the magic ten – achieved in November 1994 at home to MK Dons. Rosler thoroughly impressed in his first full season as a City man and scooped the club’s Player of the Year award.
Carlos Tevez 19
Tevez extended his league tally to ten in a City shirt in some style, it was the first of a hat-trick against Blackburn in January 2010. A firm fan favourite from the moment of his move from cross-town rivals Manchester United the previous summer, the Argentine scored a brace on three occasions in his opening 19 appearances, against West Ham, Bolton and Wolves. He went on to win the Etihad Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.
Paul Walsh 20
Spending just one full season in City colours, Paul Walsh took 20 appearances to strike ten times in the league – one goal every two games for the first six months of his career at Maine Road. Arriving in March 1994 from Portsmouth, Walsh netted four times before the end of the season, helping the Blues avoid relegation. Forming an eye-catching partnership with Uwe Rosler, he started the 94-95 season in fine form, scoring a brace against Everton before recording his tenth City league strike against QPR.
Emmanuel Adebayor 20
Scoring within the first three minutes of his debut and following that with a goal in each of his first four league appearances– including one against former club Arsenal – Emmanuel Adebayor started his career in a City shirt with a bang. Fond of a big occasion, Adebayor also netted against Liverpool and Chelsea, and took just 20 appearances to record 10 goals for his new club. The striker reached double figures in March 2010 in a 6-1 thrashing of Burnley at Turf Moor.
David White 21
After coming through the ranks of City’s youth system and lifting the FA Youth Cup in 1986, David White spent eight years with the Blues, scoring goals in both the old First and Second Divisions. In the inaugural season of the Premier League, it took the former academy product 21 games to net 10 times, including goals against Oldham, MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday. His tenth arrived on Boxing Day as City gifted the Maine Road faithful a late Christmas present – a 2-0 defeat of Sheffield United.
Nicolas Anelka 22
Finding the back of the net for the tenth time in the league in City colours on New Year’s Day 2003, Nicolas Anelka went on to finish as the Blues’ top scorer in his first season. The club’s then-record signing opened his account with two strikes against Everton, and also scored in the last ever Manchester derby at Maine Road, giving City the lead after just five minutes for his third goal in three games.
Mario Balotelli 22
Always one to hit the headlines, Mario Balotelli hit his tenth City strike in the unforgettable 6-1 derby demolition at Old Trafford. The first of his two goals in a majestic display, the Italian star stole the column inches on a glorious day for City fans. It was his fourth strike in as many games – Mario also got his name on the scoresheet against Everton, Aston Villa and Blackburn in his first five league appearances of the title-winning campaign.
Edin Dzeko 22
Although he took 12 games to find his first league goal in a City shirt, Edin Dzeko was quick to find his stride, taking just ten more appearances to net his first ten league goals. Like Mario, the Bosnian Diamond saved his tenth strike for a memorable day at Old Trafford – it was his second goal (and City’s sixth) in the dying seconds that took Edin into double figures. His four goals away to Spurs earlier in the campaign obviously helped his tally, but the striker also found the net against Swansea and Bolton in the opening weeks.
Stats kindly provided by Opta.
