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Ever since Pep Guardiola's arrival in the Premier League, Manchester City have been a formidable club on the domestic and continental stage. At the onset, Guardiola was promised freedom and financial backing to bring to life his vision of "total football." It represented his famed purist approach to the game.
Adapting the squad to his playing style and vision took a season, but since then, the Sky Blues have won three league titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups on his watch. Since his arrival around the time of Jack Grealish's signing for £100m in the summer of 2021, Pep Guardiola has spent over £918m on players in five years.
With that in mind, we rank the five best signings overseen by Pep Guardiola during his spell at Manchester City:
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#5 Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias' signing in the 2020 transfer window was a transformative arrival akin to Liverpool's signing of Virgil van Dijk. Signed from Benfica for a hefty fee of over £60m, he was part of the tightest defense in the Premier League. Dias helped transform an error-prone backline into one of the league's very best. His height and immaculate sense of positioning has taken many by surprise,
His presence has undoubtedly brought out the best in a rejuvenated John Stones. They complement each other's game much like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic's pairing from yesteryear. Still only 24, Dias is set to be a Manchester City mainstay for years to come.
#4 Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker was identified as a tactically adept player for Pep Guardiola's defensive system. Subsequently, he was bought from Tottenham Hotspur for a highly scaled-up fee of £50m.
Since his move to the Etihad, Walker has firmly established himself as a dependable fullback, vital to circulating possession and stopping counterattacks with his rapid pace.
As an "inverted fullback" stepping into midfield, Walker has revolutionized the fullback position and acts as an auxiliary midfielder - a one-of-a-kind position. He's been present for a large part of Manchester City's success under Guardiola and is sure to be a mainstay with the Cityzens over the next few years.
#3 Ilkay Gundogan
German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was identified by Pep Guardiola as a player with adequate creativity and tireless energy to play as a shuttling playmaker for Manchester City. Signed for £20m by Guardiola as his first City transfer, Gundogan has often struggled with inconsistencies and injuries.
Last season, though, he surprised many with a sensational 13 goals to help Manchester City to Premier League honors. His box-to-box capacity has added another dimension to the Sky Blues' attack against opponents who sit back in numbers.
Amid all of Guardiola's tactical tinkering, Gundogan's continued presence in the squad is certainly assured.
#2 Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva first made waves on the mainstage as part of an AS Monaco side that enjoyed a productive Champions League run in 2017. The Portuguese midfielder was subsequently purchased by Manchester City that year for £44m.
He has since settled in as one of the Premier League's finest technical midfielders, equipped with a fine touch and devastating turn on the ball. Much like the magical David Silva, Bernardo is adept at stringing passes together and gliding between the opposition's defensive lines.
Pep Guardiola's tutelage has seen him reach new heights as a versatile attacking player capable of playing on either wing and also as a false nine. In over 200 games for the Cityzens, even his tally of 35 goals and 44 assists do little to reflect his artistry on the pitch.
#1 Ederson
The signing of Brazilian Ederson was vital towards implementing Pep's vision of building possession play from the back. Be it his ability to hit a long crossfield pass to a rushing forward or playing quick one-twos with his defenders, Ederson is possibly the most skilled goalkeeper the Premier League has ever seen.
Claudio Bravo was first identified by Pep Guardiola as an ideal goalkeeper for his ability with the ball at his feet, only to be criticized for his goalkeeping ability and, at times, a diminutive figure. Standing at 6'3", Ederson has a commanding presence both within and outside his box, capable of awe-inspiring shot stopping. With 20 clean sheets in 2019-20 and 26 in 2020-21, Ederson has retained the Golden Glove award for the past two seasons.
