The top five Chelsea vs Man City transfer battles in recent years

The top five Chelsea vs Man City transfer battles in recent years

Chelsea’s imminent capture of Jorginho, which will see Manchester City miss out on the Italy midfielder, is the latest in a string of transfer battles between two of England’s biggest clubs.

Since being acquired by multi-millionaire owners, Chelsea and City have unsurprisingly chased similar targets in the 21st century so far.

As a result, there have been a number of sagas with dramatic twists and turns over recent years.

We’ve chosen the top five transfer battles between the clubs, ranked in order of who has been most influential.

5. Danilo

Winner: Man City

Fee: £26.5m

One of Pep Guardiola’s biggest tasks during his second summer transfer window at Manchester City was overhauling his defence, particularly on the flanks.

The ageing trio of Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov had all struggled in 2015/16, meaning replacements were needed.

Guardiola targeted a number of right-backs. He missed out on Dani Alves to Paris Saint-Germain, but did manage to lure Danilo from Real Madrid.

Upon signing for City, Danilo revealed he had chosen Manchester over London, turning down a move to Chelsea in favour of joining up with Guardiola at the Etihad.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to choose City over Chelsea,” said Danilo, according to Sky Sports. “The moment City called me and Pep called me, I knew what I had to do. Pep’s words motivated me to be ready for this.”

The former Porto full-back proved to be useful squad player during his first season in England, often popping up on the left in the absence of the injured Benjamin Mendy.

4. John Stones

Winner: Man City

Fee: £47.5m

In 2015, late in the summer transfer, Chelsea did their best to sign John Stones from Everton. They made four bids of between £20m and £40m, which provoked Stones to hand in a transfer request, according to the BBC.

But the Toffees managed to hold on to the highly-rated youngster, and Stones ended up joining Manchester City a year later.

Reports at the time claimed Chelsea decided to pull the plug on a move for Stones as they weren’t keen on the idea of being drawn into a bidding war.

Whether that’s true is still unclear; comments made by Stones suggest he would have chosen to work with Guardiola at City over moving to Chelsea regardless.

“It was something I couldn’t turn down,” Stones said, via the Liverpool Echo. “For anyone in my position, when Pep wants you to join the club, it’s a no-brainer. He’s the best manager in the world, and to be given the opportunity to learn from him was massive.”

Stones has struggled to cement his place in City’s staring line-up, but he has won a league title and is still only 24, giving him plenty of time to develop further under Guardiola’s stewardship.

3. Kyle Walker
Winner: Man City

Fee: £53m

Another of the right-backs Guardiola targeted, and successfully lured to the Etihad, in the summer of 2017 was Kyle Walker.

Fresh off two excellent seasons in a Tottenham shirt, Walker was the obvious option to add pace, directness and energy to City’s dwindling backline.

The 28-year-old had fallen out with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of his stay in north London, paving the way for a record-breaking move to City.

Indeed, the fee City paid was so large that not even Chelsea were willing to match it, according to then-Blues manager Antonio Conte.

“We tried to buy Walker,” said the Italian, via the Independent. “Honestly, I think now every single player is expensive. For you to even enquire about one player, he is expensive.”

Walker has arguably stepped up yet another level for City, adding a degree of versatility to his game that saw him seamlessly slot in at centre-back for England at the 2018 World Cup.

2. Carlos Tevez

Winner: Man City

Fee: £25.5m

Not long after Manchester United lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, another key attacking player, Carlos Tevez, announced his intention to leave Old Trafford.

The Argentinian controversially joined United’s neighbours City, who were just beginning to make more noise in Manchester.

However, a move to the Etihad very nearly failed to go through if reports from the time are to be believed.

The Telegraph claimed City feared missing out on Tevez after Chelsea made an 11th hour offer for the former West Ham United striker, who is now back in Argentina with Boca Juniors.

But City got their man in the end. The 34-year-old won a Premier League title and an FA Cup during his time at the Etihad.

1. Eden Hazard

Winner: Chelsea

Fee: £31.5m

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann isn’t the first footballer to dramatise a decision over his future.

Back in 2012, Lille’s Eden Hazard teased the fans of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea by revealing he had reached agreements with all three clubs but was yet to make a decision on his destination.

His agent told the Telegraph: “We are no longer in the negotiations stage.We have reached agreement with all parties. There will be no higher bid.”

Chelsea had just won the Champions League, and Hazard’s Tweet upon joining the Blues suggests that’s what swayed his decision. “I’m signing for the Champions League winner,” he wrote.

The news came as a blow to City, as well as their rivals United. But both Manchester clubs ended up finishing above Chelsea in 2012/13.

Hazard has enjoyed plenty of success with the Londoners, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and the Europa League.