In a show of how far Manchester City have come since their takeover this is a nostalgic look at where they were then compared to where they are now.
It seems a long time ago now of course but it is hard to believe Manchester City, the current Premier League Champions were humbled, nay, humiliated by current Championship side Middlesbrough 8-1 at the Riverside just 4 years ago. In a timely reminder of how quickly things can change in football where are the Manchester City team who played that day now?
GK. Andreas Isaakson
He failed to claim the number one jersey at City after the emergence of Joe Hart joined PSV Eindhoven and this summer signed for Turkish outfit Kasimpasa
DR. Sun Jihai
This was the cult hero’s last game for City before an unsuccessful spell at Sheffield United. Now back in his native China as his career peters out.
DL. Michael Ball
The one time England international’s career was decimated by injury and after a move to Leicester City he was sacked after homophobic tweets on Twitter got him in hot water.
DC. Richard Dunne
Sent off early in the game but has gone on to a successful stint at Aston Villa and even scored against City on his Villa debut.
DC. Vedran Corluka
Would have been kicking himself after leaving City for Spurs in search of Champions League football only for City to become the richest club in the world just days later. Now playing in Russia with Slaven Bilic’s Lokomotiv Moscow.
ML. Javier Garrido
He replaced current City fullback Alexander Kolarov at Lazio and his impressive attacking runs from defence impressed in Serie A and he now gears up for another crack at English football on loan at Norwich.
MR. Martin Petrov
Stuck around at City for a little while after the defeat but moved on to Bolton in 2010 where he remains today, playing in the Championship.
MC. Stephen Ireland
The naturally gifted Irish midfielder has struggled with personal and controversial issues in his career and was discarded by City in 2010 as part of the James Milner deal. He has failed to recapture his terrific 08-09 form at Villa Park and during a disappointing loan deal at Newcastle.
MC. Gelson Fernandes
Moved on to St Etienne and after impressive loan deals at Chievo, Leicester and Udinese, not to mention eye catching displays for Switzerland he moved to Sporting Lisbon this summer with, hopefully, still a bright career ahead of him.
FW. Darius Vassell
The former England international moved on to Turkish side Ankaragucu in 2009 but only for a brief period as he returned to England with Sven Goran Eriksson’s Leicester City. Currently a free agent after his summer release.
FW. Benjani
The Zimbabwean left in 2010 before disappointing spells at Blackburn and Portsmouth. Has been rumoured to be signing for Watford but is currently still a free agent.
SUBSTITUTES.
The 3 who got on that day were goalscorer Elano who fell out of love with England and after a spell in Turkey returned to Brazil.
Nery Castillo came on early for Benjani and the one time Mexico starlet now plies his trade with homeland side Pachuca after a mixed spell in Greece.
Dietmar Hamaan came on and left City for MK Dons a year later, now retired he is searching for a new coaching job after leaving Stockport.
Felipe Caicedo sat on the bench that day and the Ecuadorian went on to have mixed success in Spain before moving to current club Lokomotiv Moscow and the final substitute that day was Joe Hart, who has since gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world and the undisputed England number 1.
It is funny how much can change in 4 years in the footballing world…here are the game highlights…
image: © mafue
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