At the end of the January transfer window, Everton signed Man City defender Eliaquim Mangala on loan for the rest of the season to strengthen their defensive ranks.
The defender joined the club after a fairly poor two and a half seasons with the club. The France international was so poor at the back for City, that he was sent on loan to Valencia for the 2016/17 season.
It was thought that he would strengthen the side but after picking up an injury against Crystal Palace, the defender was ruled out for the rest of the season.
What ppl forget is we were after him 3-4 seasons ago & City came in & paid big money for him. I hope he comes in & shows the form he had b4 he joined City & we then get him on the cheap at end of the season. Coz with a bit of confidence he can be a great defender
— nick leonard (@toffton19) 1 February 2018
Gonna be good addition just watch
— Finners (@realfinners) February 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/MystoganZz/status/958953547814510592
Best left footed CB in Europe thanks for letting him join us pic.twitter.com/9VYle5G4F1
— Paddy (@PaddyHobanEFC) February 1, 2018
We’ll take that! Welcome Manga
— Callum (@callumt1878) February 1, 2018
I reckon he's gonna be good for us, doesn't fit in at City as a ball player but we just need a no nonsense CB
— Callum (@Cal_EFC) February 1, 2018
Over three seasons, Mangala had established himself as one of the better defenders in Europe outside of the top leagues.
City signed him for a reported £31.8 million fee and initially, he looked as though he would be a physical and commanding defender at the back.
After his initial top performances, his career began to spiral downwards, and despite making over 20 appearances in the league in each of his first two seasons in the league, he was sent on loan to Valencia.
He did well at Valencia but on his return he failed to get into the City side which under Pep had begun a new ara at the club.
He only managed two games for Everton during his loan spell with the side and following his injury, he failed to make any more appearances for the side.
It’s safe to say that following a fairly uneventful spell, the Everton fans were wrong about the defender.
