Player who most surpassed expectations

[m7mcfc]

SWP

That little kid who made his debut vs the rags and didn't burst onto the scene
He turned out to be our best and most exciting home grown player from the modern era

When he played against the rags one night he was phenomenal. I should also say he let me down for £750 when he smashed that ball past Shimicheal.

 

[Corky]

SWP debut was the burnley game wasn't it when cooke scored the fluke? SWP did struggle before be was pushed out onto the right, but he took him about two years to score and then he never looked back.

Zaballeta for me, a liability to start off with and a poor second choice to Richards in 2011/12 until Richards' injury, then became a key player for the next 3 years.

 

[bitterfuse]

As a flip side to the other thread, I thought this was a good idea.

Name one player who outperformed your expectations of them either when they first signed or from their early form. Paul Walsh, always rated him right from his Chalton Athletic days but thought he was passed it when we got him. Turned out to be quality and only wish he'd stuck around a bit longer.

Mine (and I suspect many other's) would be Pablo Zabaleta. Early on I just thought he was a headless chicken and totally rash; two yellow cards waiting to happen. Nine years later he leaves as a club legend who embodies nearly everything I love about my club and he put his all in at all times.

 

[sir baconface]

The previous posts act as memory joggers. There are a number of strong contenders.

The guy who initially came to mind was Bellamy. I just viewed him as a mediocre player with attitude...until he put a City shirt on. I was impressed with his charity work too, although that's not really relevant.

 

[KDB14]

I'm going to go for Bellamy. Always struck me as a bit of a journeyman when we signed him but he was genuinely excellent and had a number of great games for us.

 

[avoidconfusion]

Zabaleta
Bellamy
Kompany (lets be honest who here thought that he would turn out THAT great especially for the money we paid)


David Silva
Yaya Toure

Because I had never heard of them before

 

[Alec-mcfc]

Kompany signed as a defensive midfielder and didn't look fantastic in the position at the start but what he has achieved and the club and the way he leads to team is superb. He is so influential and he has to be the best example of this.

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

Kompany signed as a defensive midfielder and didn't look fantastic in the position at the start but what he has achieved and the club and the way he leads to team is superb. He is so influential and he has to be the best example of this.

Agreed mate thought he was poor in midfield.

 

[ell]

Tevez is a great shout actually, obviously knew he was a good player but not the machine he became at city.

Bellemy is one, absolutely hated the bloke and didnt think he was up to much, quality signing.

Also dont know where the myth about Kompany being a midfielder comes from, hes always been a centre half that played in midfield for a few games not the other way round.

 

[sir baconface]

I remember thinking the same. It took him quite a while to settle into being hacked and unprotected by officials. Thankfully he found his feet. I suspect the same for Bernardo and hope the blue moaners give him time...

Done fcuk all for us so far. Waste of money.