James Milner: From bit part at City to big shot at Liverpool

Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi have rarely lived up to their price-tags over the course of their City careers, but their form over the past few weeks has impressed

They were seen as the expensive expendables. Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala cost nearly £75 million between them but, until very recently, few Manchester City fans would have minded if they were shown the door this summer.

These are, after all, two of the most expensive footballers in history. All in, it took £42m to prise Mangala from Porto, a world record fee for a defender. Otamendi, meanwhile, was bought for £32m. For much of their time at City, the pair have proven to be costly, chiefly in terms of the errors they have made.

Otamendi, who arrived with a take-no-prisoners reputation, has alarmed fans on a weekly basis with his tendency to throw himself into tackles, displaying scant regard for his opponent's limbs or the gaping spaces left behind him. A "Northern Quarter Phil Jones", as he was dubbed by one tweeter; beneath all the designer gear, he's as clumsy as they come.







Mangala has had an extra season to settle in Manchester but has not found it any easier. In a Christmas video released by the club, several City players had to read out abusive tweets that had been sent in their direction. Fabian Delph sounded like Jack Duckworth, it was said, while Yaya Toure "looks like a big bear playing football". The size of Vincent Kompany's head was a recurring theme.

But Mangala's 'haters' concentrated on his ability as a footballer. "You need to leave the team," one fan opined drily. "You're s***", added another. The Frenchman did his best to put a brave face on it, insisting he would be around for another five or six seasons, but he struggled when hit with, "I would pay my entire season ticket fee to have you released". The only respite came when he was told to "get some decent pants you ****".



The struggles of both men have been amplified by Kompany, in both his presence and his absence. Between the start of the season and Christmas, City played eight Premier League matches with their captain in the side, keeping seven clean sheets.

Both Mangala and Otamendi looked considerably more assured when playing alongside the Belgian. Mangala was in fine form as City won their first five games, not conceding a single goal. So much so that, when it emerged that Otamendi was incoming and Mangala was being sent to Valencia, it confused many. Picking up where he left off at the end of 2014-15, Mangala was playing consistently well at last.