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Manchester City have been one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League in recent years.
Since their big-money takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, the club has dominated English football. Under current manager Pep Guardiola, City are beginning to perform well in Europe too. They reached their first UEFA Champions League final last season, but lost to Chelsea by a solitary goal.
Players like Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Gareth Barry and James Milner have helped bring the club to where it is today. Due to their relatively quick success, Manchester City have found it easy to attract world-class talent.
With several top players coming and going in quick succession, a lot of quality players at City are often underappreciated. On that note, here's a look at the five most underrated players who have played for Manchester City in the Premier League era:
#5 Joe Hart
Joe Hart was born in Shrewsbury, England, in 1987. He came through the youth ranks at his hometown club, and made his senior debut for them in 2003. He signed for Manchester City in 2006 for a mere £100,000.
Hart made 348 appearances for City, keeping 137 clean sheets and conceding 347 goals. He was a tall, commanding presence in the box, and dealt with crosses and lofted passes effectively. Hart's reflexes were top-notch as well as the former England international pulled off some great saves.
He won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups during his stint with Manchester City. Hart has won the most Golden Glove awards (four) in Premier League history.
Hart has also represented England on 75 occasions, keeping an impressive 43 clean sheets. He currently plays for Celtic in Scotland, and will hope to help them pip rivals Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title this season.
#4 Pablo Zabaleta
Pablo Zabaleta was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1985. He came through the youth ranks at Argentine club San Lorenzo, and made his senior debut for them in 2002. Following a successful spell there, and later in Spain with Espanyol, Manchester City signed Zabaleta for £6.45 million in 2008.
The Argentine made 333 appearances for City, scoring 12 goals and providing 27 assists. He was known for his tenacity, determination, fighting spirit and physicality. Zabaleta was adept with making darting runs into the opposition half, and added width to City's potent attack. His role in the team set the blueprint for what Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo have done for the club in recent times.
With Manchester City, Pablo Zabaleta won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup, among other honours. He was voted into the PFA Team of the Year for the 2012-13 season. Zaba was a menace for opposition wingers.
The Argentine full-back also represented his country 58 times. In 2020, following a three-year spell with West Ham United, Zabaleta announced his retirement after 18 years as a professional.
#3 Edin Dzeko
Former Manchester City player Edin Dzeko was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1986.
He came through the youth ranks at Bosnian club Zeljeznicar, and made his senior debut for them in 2003. Like a few other top strikers of his generation, Dzeko has enjoyed a late-blossoming career. He has represented Manchester City, AS Roma and VfL Wolfsburg, among others.
The Bosnian and Herzegovinian played 191 games for Manchester City, scoring 72 goals and providing 44 assists. Dzeko is renowned for his physical strength, aerial ability and two-footedness. He is a unique striker, as he provides as many assists as he likes to score goals.
During his time with Manchester City, Dzeko won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup, among other honours. He scored a scintillating 72 goals in 117 starts for the club.
Edin Dzeko has also made 118 appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring 60 goals and providing 23 assists. Dzeko ranks first in both goals scored and appearances made for his country.
He currently plays for Inter Milan, and has scored a respectable 11 goals and provided five assists in 25 games.
#2 Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, in 1990. He came through the youth ranks at VfL Bochum, and made his senior debut for them in 2008. After a notable and successful spell with Borussia Dortmund between 2011 and 2015, Gundogan moved to Manchester City for £20 million.
The German international has made 230 appearances for City, scoring 43 goals and providing 33 assists. Gundogan is an intelligent, well-rounded midfielder. He often plays as an attacking midfielder or wide playmaker.
With City, the German has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups, among other honours. He has been one of the most underrated players under Pep Guardiola.
Gundogan has also represented Germany on 54 occasions, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists. He has been an integral part of Guardiola's midfield this season, helping City emerge as frontrunners for the Premier League title.
#1 Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure was born in Bouake, Ivory Coast, in 1983. He came through the youth ranks at ASEC Mimosas, and made his senior debut for Beveren in 2001. Mainly deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, Toure also played as a defensive midfielder. He notably represented the likes of Monaco, Barcelona and Manchester City.
Toure played 316 games for Manchester City, scoring 79 goals and providing 49 assists. He began his career as a striker, but later became a box-to-box midfielder, and excelled in his new position. He had incredible finesse, agility and ball control for his 6' 2" frame. Toure was exceptional in driving forward with the ball, and developed a knack for scoring goals at City.
With the Cityzens, he won three Premier League titles and one FA Cup, among other honours. The midfielder was named Manchester City's Player of the Year for his spectacular exploits in the 2013-14 season. Toure scored 20 goals, and provided nine assists in 35 league games that campaign.
The Ivorian has also represented his nation 97 times, scoring 19 goals. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with his country in 2015. Toure recently had a relatively unsuccessful spell in China with Qingdao Huanghai, and is currently without a club. He is one of the greatest African players of all time.
