Between 2009 and 2018, Manchester City's transfer strategy significantly impacted other clubs in the English top flight. A total of eight Premier League teams sold players to the Citizens during this nine-year period. Below is a ranking of these clubs based on how these transfers affected their squads and results.
Clubs ranked by transfer losses
Fulham
The only loss for the Cottagers was academy graduate Patrick Roberts, who played 19 league matches before his move to Manchester City.
Tottenham
The sale of Kyle Walker was a serious blow for the Londoners, undermining their chances of maintaining a long-term title challenge following a second-place finish.
Swansea City
The Welsh side lost two of their main stars, Scott Sinclair and Wilfried Bony, for whom City paid hefty fees, yet both players saw limited action at their new club.
Leicester City
Riyad Mahrez's transfer for £60 million served as a painful reminder of the harsh realities facing the 'fairytale' club, which now sees only Jamie Vardy remaining from their famous title-winning trio.
Liverpool
Raheem Sterling’s transfer for £44 million after numerous refusals revealed Liverpool's position in the football hierarchy at that time. While Sterling won plenty of silverware, Liverpool finished the following season in eighth.
Aston Villa
The Villans lost several key professionals, including Gareth Barry, James Milner, and Fabian Delph, to City over the years.
Everton
The Toffees regularly supplied City with leaders and promising youngsters, featuring transfers like John Stones for £47.5 million, along with Jolyon Lescott, Jack Rodwell, and Gareth Barry.
Arsenal
In the initial years of City’s dominance, the Gunners frequently sent key players north. Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, and Bacary Sagna all made the switch from Arsenal to City.
