Eliaquim Mangala, the most expensive defender in football history at the time, remains unfazed by the expectations surrounding his high-profile transfer. Bought by Manchester City from FC Porto for €54 million, the French center-back surpassed even David Luiz in terms of transfer value — a record that instantly placed him under the spotlight.
🗣️ Mangala on His Record Fee:
“It’s obviously a source of pride, because my transfer went down in football history at one point. But it doesn’t obsess me either… I was bought for a very large sum… I signed for five years. It’s up to me to show that Manchester City made the right choice. The truth is out on the pitch.”
Speaking to Le Parisien, Mangala acknowledged the weight of expectations but remained calm and focused on performance, noting that the deal was ultimately a business negotiation between clubs, not something within his control.
⚽ Early Struggles, High Stakes:
Despite the hype, Mangala’s early performances at City were inconsistent. He showed moments of brilliance but also signs of inexperience and lapses in concentration — particularly in the physically demanding environment of the Premier League.
Yet, Didier Deschamps still saw enough promise to include him in the French national squad for their matches against Portugal and Armenia, underlining the defender’s untapped potential and the confidence placed in him at the international level.
🔍 Quick Profile:
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Name: Eliaquim Mangala
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Position: Centre-back
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Clubs: Standard Liège → FC Porto → Manchester City
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Fee: €54 million (2014)
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National Team: France (called up for October friendlies)
As of this point in his career, Mangala is at a crossroads: either rise to justify the record fee or risk being remembered as a case of overhyped potential. His own words suggest he’s ready to let his play do the talking.
