Defence
Manchester City centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala both belonged to the Portuguese side before they left for greener pastures. They haven’t totally convinced at the Etihad, but were both very solid defenders back at Porto.
Mangala joined City in 2014 for a reported £31.5 million transfer fee. Having signed for Porto three years prior, as a 20-year-old, he established himself as a first-choice defender in the side and impressed enough to have City come knocking.
Otamendi, meanwhile, signed for Porto in 2010, from Velez, and was sold to Valencia in 2014. The Argentinian cost the Etihad side £28.5 million when they brought him during last year’s preseason. A top player during his time at Porto and Valencia, but hasn’t quite found his feet yet this season.
Alvaro Pereira was also a defender at Porto, and helped them to the treble (Primera Liga, Taca de Portugal and Europa League). The versatile left-back, a prime option in the defence, now plays for Getafe on loan from Inter Milan. He spent three seasons with Porto, having signed in 2009, before departing for Inter.
We move on to Jose Bosingwa, a talented full-back with immense pace and great crossing ability in his day. He spent five years at the club, moving to Chelsea in 2008. He won the Champions League there, having won it with Mourinho's team in 2004. Bosingwa would later leave the Blues and move to QPR, but now plays in Turkey for Trabzonspor.
