Top 5 Manchester City Players Of The Sheikh Mansour Era

#4 Yaya Toure

Toure's rangy frame made him perfect as an all-action midfielder

The Ivorian icon has found playing time limited this season but for 7 campaigns from 2010/2011, Toure was often an unstoppable force in City's midfield. He was the most powerful and overwhelming central midfielder since Patrick Vieira terrorized the EPL for Arsenal and City just weren't the same team with him missing.

It was Toure's goal that decided the 2011 FA Cup final against Stoke City, securing the first trophy of the Sheikh Mansour era; it was his unbelievable 20 league goals that helped City pip Liverpool to the 2014 league title. Toure was often accused by fans and the media of not caring, not being interested in his team's fortunes, but when he was truly needed, he was there and delivered consistently.

As things stand, Toure has 82 goals for City, a tremendous return for a box-to-box midfielder. He had performed well in France with Monaco, was part of the sensational early Guardiola years at Barcelona, but it is in Manchester that Toure found a home for his talents. City helped him to fulfill his ability and he helped them reach the level their owners and fans craved.