Manchester City may be best known for all the money they spend on transfers but the Premier League champions are pretty good at making money too, especially on players who have barely played for them.
'They bought the league,' that's the criticism often levelled at Manchester City, as if somehow every other club isn't buying anyone and is full of only home grown talent and free transfers.
Of course the truth is that City have spent big money, because they have it, but they've used it well and Pep Guardiola has come up with a system that brings out the best in those players- it's a mix of everything.
However whilst everyone is talking about the Premier League champions ability to buy it seems that their ability to sell players has flown under the radar a little. Whilst they've sometimes struggled to sell big names like Samir Nasri, because of their big wages, younger players have made them good money.
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Players like Jadon Sancho, Angus Gunn, Jason Denayer and others have all left the Etihad in the last four years making 10 or less appearances for the club.
According to the Mirror in that time City have made £70,672,876 on players with 10 or less appearances and £44,472,876 on those who have never played for the club.
Sancho is the headline act of the players that have left the Etihad in recent years. The former City youngster left last summer without ever making an appearance for the Citizens.
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Borussia Dortmund snapped him up for around £8 million when he wouldn't sign a new contract and he has gone on to do brilliantly in the Bundesliga. His early season form this term led to his first England call up, and subsequent cap, in the recent international break.
In comparison to City the other top six sides don't make anywhere near as much money selling their academy players.
Arsenal have made £11.6 million from those who have made 10 or less appearances whilst Chelsea have made £6.5 million, Liverpool £3.3 million, Manchester United £9.7 million and Spurs £11.7 million.
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It's difficult to work out if it's impressive business from City or just a sad reflection that these players never really got a chance. Sancho has proved that he may have been worth taking a punt on.
Which player who barely played for your club do you wish they'd never sold?
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Premier League, England, Borussia Dortmund, Transfer news, Jadon Sancho, Bundesliga