Yes that first game against Chelsea everyone thought we bought the other half of the best CB duo in the league. Mangala-Kompany. The right fit for Vinny. The media was singing praises of him.
Then came the own goal, Kompany's injury, errors from him, and Joe Hart constantly shouting in his ear, he became timid, unlike the Beast that he was said to be. His confidence was shot and wearing the City shirt is like a curse to him.
I don't think we'll ever see Mangala in his best with City except for a few glimpses. He feels he is treading on thin ice and his interviews have shown that. All his talk last season of trying harder for the club, the next season is his season to show his worth, he wants to show the fans what he can do, and then he got loaned. But I commend him for not wanting to leave before proving himself even though that chance is unlikely given how Pep might see him now.
Mangala's also close with the others, Sterling particularly. He likes being a City player but it's increasingly hard when he's not rated by Pep.
1:17 & 4:03 show his issues in a Pep team. You can't consistently misplace simple passes like that, I like the guy, but he does that every game & it at times it will cost us - that's without his lapses from a pure defensive point of view.
He's got the physicality, and a great attitude - I just don't think he's got the concentration for our style of play.