Men's Team Ranking the five best Man City debuts MCFC Editorial Tue 04 Jul 2017, 11:15 Share It's time for you to help us rank the five best Man City debuts! <section><h2>Ranking five great Man City debuts</h2><p><div>With the transfer window now officially open, we’ve taken a look back at five players signed in the summer who went on to have memorable City debuts. </div><div><br></div><div>And you can help us rank them. Vote below for the performance you feel was the best and we’ll reveal the results later in the week. </div></p></section><section><h2>Ali Benarbia v Birmingham</h2><p><div>Back in the days before YouTube and 24-hour rolling sports media, Clubs often signed players their fans had no knowledge of. </div><div><br></div><div>That was certainly the case when Ali Benarbia signed for City back in 2001. </div><div><br></div><div>Having been on trial at Sunderland, then Blues boss Kevin Keegan convinced the midfielder to sign on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Keegan put the Algerian straight in the side against Birmingham and he was the architect of an impressive 3-0 victory. </div><div><br></div><div>He was outstanding, a cut above any other player on the pitch, with his touch, movement and vision too much for Birmingham to handle. </div><div><br></div><div>”He was the French Footballer of the Year just two seasons ago and I’ve picked him up on a free transfer. What a bargain!” Keegan said afterwards.&nbsp;</div></p></section><section><h3>Samir Nasri v Tottenham</h3><p><div>City’s 5-1 win away at Tottenham in the third game of the 2011/12 season was a dramatic statement of intent. </div><div><br></div><div>And Samir Nasri, making his debut, was the orchestrator of many of City’s best moments. </div><div><br></div><div>The Blues destroyed Spurs, with Nasri registering three assists and controlling the game with a sensational display that demonstrated his quality on the ball and ability to carve open back fours with defence-splitting passes.&nbsp;</div></p></section><section><h3>Sergio Aguero v Swansea</h3><p><div>Sergio Aguero’s debut, against Swansea on the opening day of the 2011/12 season, was a sign of things to come. </div><div><br></div><div>The Argentine scored two, including a 30-yard screamer, and produced an innovative assist right on the byline to set up David Silva. The game finished 4-0 and City would go on to win their first title in 44 years. </div><div><br></div><div>Fast-forward six years and Aguero is closing in on becoming the Club’s all-time leading scorer, with his performance against Swansea proving an accurate precursor of what was to follow. </div></p></section><section><h3>Eyal Berkovic v Watford</h3><p><div>Back in 2001, despite relegation from the Premier League the previous season, there was a buzz of anticipation around Maine Road.</div><div><br></div><div>Kevin Keegan was in charge, an appointment that promised free-flowing, attacking football. </div><div><br></div><div>Key to Keegan’s style was Eyal Berkovic, signed from Celtic. He made his debut against Watford and played in behind Shaun Goater and Paulo Wanchope. Gianluca Vialli’s side simply couldn’t cope. </div><div><br></div><div>The Israeli ran the show, scoring a debut goal and leaving everyone in no doubt he would be a vital player in City’s bid to return to the top flight. </div><div><br></div><div>A special mention to Stuart Pearce, who also made his debut and scored an outstanding free-kick to complete a 3-0 win. </div><div><br></div><div>City would go on to win the Division One title in style and return to the Premier League.&nbsp;</div></p></section><section><h3>Robinho v Chelsea</h3><p><div>The signing of Robinho from Real Madrid was perhaps the most exciting deadline-day deal in Premier League history. </div><div><br></div><div>After the fanfare that surrounded the move, it was never going to be easy to live up to the hype – but his display against Chelsea on his Blues debut suggested he could. </div><div><br></div><div>He opened the scoring with a stunning 20-yard free-kick, underlining the quality he possessed, in one of the most dramatic Etihad moments to date. </div><div><br></div><div>City went on to lose against their more established opponents, but Robinho had shown everyone what he was capable of.&nbsp;</div></p></section> Share More like this Topics News Men's Team Quizzes Samir Nasri Sergio Aguero Further reading In conversation with Blossoms: Official Man City Podcast 01:13:48 How to follow Arsenal v City on our official app Women's Team West Ham WSL clash available on CITY+ Women's Team Most read Guardiola happy with performance against 'top class team' What is the format of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League? Remembering Sir Howard Bernstein Dias reflects on "intense" Inter draw City's 4-In-A-Row Trophy Tour is heading to Delhi!
