From the world’s most expensive defender to total forfeit, what happened to Eliaquim Mangala?
He was the most expensive defender in history for a while. Former defender of “Porto” and “Manchester City” Eligim Mangala is left without a club in 2023 after moving to AS Saint-Etienne. At 1.88 meters tall, the sturdy French defender did not have the career many had hoped for him. Back to the Equilim Mangala course to find out how it got there?
Mangala, the perfect starter
In 2011, Frenchman Eligim Mangala moved from Porto to Manchester City for 53.8 million euros and became the most expensive defender in history. He broke the record for the most expensive defender transfer in the history of David Luiz with PSG (49.5 million) and Rio Ferdinand (46 million) at MU.
With FC Porto, the French defender showed the extent of his talent in the Portuguese Championship.
He is the champion of Portugal since his first season. The following season began with a victory over Academia de Coimbra in the Portuguese Super Cup. At the end of the season, he becomes the champion of Portugal again and advances to the playoffs of the Champions League. In 2014, he helped FC Porto qualify for the Europa League play-offs with a double header, beating Eintracht Frankfurt on away goal difference at home.
Manuel Pellegrini, the former head coach of “Manchester City” got angry in front of the press about Mangala’s arrival to “Manchester City”. He said, and I quote: ” He has all the mental, physical, technical and tactical baggage to be one of the best defenders in Europe” , still Manuel Pellegrini is moving forward. The defender started well with the townspeople. Mangala made his XXL debut against Chelsea and was named man of the match. From his first season at the club, he made thirty-one appearances in all competitions. In his second season in England, he made thirty-five appearances in all competitions and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League before being eliminated by Real Madrid. He had been injured for several months, which kept him out of action and missed the League Cup final.
Pep Guardiola, the start of Mangala’s descent into hell
Eligim Mangala lost his starting place during the reign of Pep Guardiola, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini at the head of the city’s team due to his physical disabilities. As soon as the Spanish technician reaches Mangala City, he is removed from the group. Soon, the name of the French appears in the list of players who are no longer in the plans of the Catalans. “Guardiola quickly felt that Mangala did not have the required level with the ball to play in the team he wanted to build.”, still Pete Sharland is moving forward. The French defender will be loaned to Valencia in 2016 to resume his career.
The French defender performed well during his loan spell at Valencia, where he played over thirty games for the Spanish club. In Valencia, he proved that he has lost none of his potential. This will allow him to return to Manchester City in 2017. In Guardiola’s defense, with injuries to his owners, Mangala performed well and played again under Pep Guardiola’s orders. Pep Guardiola will praise the French rock for showing exemplary behavior. ” I was very impressed with his behavior during trainingAries stresses Citizens. He didn’t play regularly until then and always accepted it. He was always trying to help the team and when things like that happen, I can only take my hat off.“. But The arrival of Aymeric Laporte will push the defender to Everton on a new loan. The defender would suffer a knee injury in his second game against the Toffees, which would be synonymous with his descent into hell.
2018, the injury that ruined everything
Eligim Mangala, who is on loan to Everton, will play only two games with the confectioners. He twisted his right knee in his second game against Everton. The result: nine months of rest and game-style rethinking. His 2018-2019 season is only in Manchester City B team.
He will return to Valencia in 2019. In two seasons, Mangala played just 21 matches, rarely important ones. In the summer of 2021, Valencia logically let him go without offering him an extension. Due to his low level and physical handicaps, Mangala is being chased by clubs. It was in January 2022 that he joined the greens of “Saint-Etienne” for one season. The grill will not be maintained by the greens at the end of the season.
Today, the former “City” player, who does not have a club, has set a new goal for 2023. The player, who cost 45 million euros in 2011, wants to find a club for a new challenge at the age of 32.
“My plan is to find a club as soon as possible. Football is my passion and I am motivated to give more on the pitch. “Football is my favorite place and I want to be on the field.” In his statement to the Get French Football News portal, the French football player emphasized.
