Given the unpredictable nature of this year’s Premier League, Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal on Monday is a long way from ending any title aspirations for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
But after witnessing the performance of Eliaquim Mangala, it may tempt the City boss into splashing the cash on some defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Having signed for City from Porto for £40m in 2014, not everyone was convinced that the Frenchman was worthy of such a fee. In fact, his early performances in a City shirt provoked this tweet almost a year ago…
https://twitter.com/bsmudge1982/status/549271749163245572
And with Mangala enduring a night to forget at the Emirates, many appeared to be in agreement.
The dude was right all along https://t.co/T2tLvYKjET
— ☔️ (@Kun10i) December 21, 2015
Others suggested that Mangala might have confused the game with the Manchester City Christmas do.
Mangalas bladdered here
— Jamie Rother (@jrother89) December 21, 2015
It was no better when he misjudged the flight of the ball…
Every Sunday League centre-back could sympathise with this one sad second in the life of Eliaquim Mangala, really. pic.twitter.com/0H8FTrRSxQ
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) December 22, 2015
Some were drawing parallels between him and another (significantly cheaper) defender whose Premier League displays earned him an unwanted reputation.
Porto must be laughing at the transfer fee they received for Mangala. Should've bought Titus Bramble #crap
— Charlie Faye (@CharlieFaye9) December 21, 2015
While others likened him to everyone’s favourite animated fawn.
Mangala is stealing a living….horrendous "defender"#BambiOnIce
— P (@l_olzzz23) December 21, 2015
But it got even worse…
People more trustworthy than Mangala. #mcfc pic.twitter.com/hhZFvQvNz1
— Neil Sherwin (@neilsherwin) December 21, 2015
Some demanded to know who was responsible for bringing Mangala to the club…
Whoever signed that Mangala fella at City should get the their coat. Absolute shit.
— Nicholas Belkin (@belks23) December 21, 2015
