Flashback: Man City sign Aymeric Laporte

Given how well Man City were doing in January 2018, it is hard to imagine what they could have done to improve their squad.
However, Pep Guardiola and The Cityzens were always hungry to get better and better, and the signing of Aymeric Laporte was indicative of this.
City signed the then-23-year-old Laporte from La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao for a fee of £57m, which was obviously a lot, but was a sign of how highly regarded the Frenchman was.
Being very comfortable with the ball at his feet, and a very astute defender, this was the signing that was believed to take Guardiola’s City team to the next level.
This is what the fans had to say:
This guy oozes class’ pep is building a great team playing great football which was always going to happen as he’s undoubtably the greatest coach on the planet!
— SULLY (@GarySul12896591) January 31, 2018
Class signing!
— Lucas R. Thisted (@Tucu98_) 30 January 2018
Just in time to lift some’s lad #Sharkteam
— Trevor Reid (@stanonestanalon) 30 January 2018
Welcome to the best team in the country. Now you can play with the best team around. #sharkteam
— Mick Sutton (@Michael77777943) 30 January 2018
welcome you joined at the right time.i trust you
— Man City (@ABUMO7AMMED3) 30 January 2018
Welcome Laporte!! Hope you have a great future with us.
— James Bailey (@J87Bailey) 30 January 2018
After 2yrs of been linked definitly worth it
— Atumwen (@kum_Achocho) 31 January 2018
Excellent Signing
— Azzex (@azzex001) 30 January 2018
Bye bye john stones…
— Mubarak (@CitizenKun1st) 30 January 2018
Laporte was brought in for a reason- to guide City to the Premier League- and it is fair to say that he helped not only win the title but the League Cup as well.
However, it has been this season where the Frenchman has proven to be a favourite of Guardiola’s, and a mainstay in the Spaniard’s squad. He has played over 150 minutes more than any other outfield player in blue this season, and has blown any other centre-back at the club out the water.
Bizarrely, he is still yet to play for France, which many Man City fans will struggle to understand why. Nonetheless, he is appreciated at The Etihad.
