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Manchester City are one of the top teams in English and European football. The five-time Premier League winners have been a dominant force in the English game, winning five league titles in the last ten years. City are currently on course for a fourth league triumph in five years this summer.
The Cityzens have also created a splash in Europe, reaching their maiden UEFA Champions League final last season, where Pep Guardiola's men fell to Chelsea. Having topped a group containing Ligue 1 giants PSG this season, City look primed for another assault on the elusive title. With a rich blend of youth and experience, Guardiola's team are still in the hunt for the continental treble.
Over the years, especially in the last decade, many world-class players have turned up for City, while many of them are still at the club. On that note, here's a look at the five longest-serving Manchester City players at the moment:
#5 Oleksandr Zinchenko - 5 years, 7 months
Oleksandr Zinchenko has never been a first-choice player at City since arriving on British shores in the summer of 2016.
The Ukrainian left-back was immediately sent out on loan to PSV Eindhoven for a year, but has struggled for game time on his return. That is evident in his rather modest tally of only 114 games across competitions, where the 25-year-old has scored twice and assisted nine times.
Nevertheless, Zinchenko has had one of the best starts by any player in Premier League history. He finished on the winning side in all 22 games he played in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, with City winning the league on both occasions.
Currently contracted with the club until the summer of 2024, Zinchenko has appeared 14 times across competitions this season.
#4 Ilkay Gundogan - 5 years, 7 months
Like Zinchenko, Ilkay Gundogan also arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2016.
However, unlike the Ukrainian, Gundogan has been a key player in Guardiola's City juggernaut. That is evident in his tally of nearly 250 appearances for the club across competitions. The 31-year-old midfielder has contributed 45 goals and 31 assists during this period.
Gundogan has blossomed into a more attacking player under Guardiola, having experienced an uptick in his goals column.
Contracted with City until 2023, Gundogan has contributed six goals across competitions this season.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne - 6 years, 5 months
Kevin De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the best active midfielders in the game.
The Belgian star, who arrived at the Etihad in the summer of 2015, is the crown jewel of Pep Guardiola's star-studded Manchester City team. In nearly 300 games across competitions, the former Wolfsburg and Chelsea player has racked up an impressive 75 goals and 113 assists.
The 30-year-old is contracted with the club till 2025. De Bruyne has contributed seven goals (all in the Premier League) and six assists across competitions this season as City eye their first-ever continental treble.
#2 Raheem Sterling - 6 years, 7 months
Raheem Sterling is one of the most sought-after wingers in the game at the moment.
Since arriving at the Etihad from Liverpool in the summer of 2015, Sterling has blossomed into a world-class player and is a key cog in the City star-studded side. In over 300 games across competitions, the Englishman has contributed 126 goals and 90 assists.
After a lean 2020-21 campaign, where he scored just 14 times in almost 50 games, Sterling was on the cusp of an exit from the club. However, following a superb Euro 2020 campaign with England, the winger is up to 12 goals for the season. He recently scored a 'perfect' hat-trick in a 4-0 demolition of Norwich City in the league.
Currently contracted with City until the summer of 2023, Sterling has expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid and Barcelona. It remains to be seen if City can hold on to their prized asset beyond next season.
#1 Fernandinho - 8 years, 7 months
Fernandinho is one of the most underrated players in the stacked Manchester City team. However, the Brazilian does the 'dirty' work in the middle of the park, allowing his more attacking colleagues to flourish upfield.
Since arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2013, Fernandinho has spent almost a decade at the Etihad. During this period, the 36-year-old has made over 350 appearances across competitions, contributing 25 goals and 32 assists.
The Manchester City captain was lauded for his performance in City's 4-0 win at Norwich City that sent the holders nine points clear atop the Premier League table.
Although his contract expires this summer, Manchester City are 'exploring' different options to keep him at the club. A future managerial role has also been mooted for the veteran, who has won 11 trophies at the club and could add a few more this season.
