When Riyad Mahrez arrived at the Etihad last year from Leicester City, it created shockwaves around the league.
Like the attack was not scary enough, another great player joins the team.
He had finally gotten the big move he so desperately wanted and it cost City £60m.
The Algerian was involved from the off with a debut start in their win against Arsenal. It was obvious that he was seen as a vital member of the squad early on with starts ahead of Leroy Sane in the bigger games.
Performances though were a bit of a problem for him as he could not produce the kind of magic he did at the King Power.
The style of play was different and he struggled to adapt.
He did get lots of chances to impress as he started in all the big games against the rest of the top six but he just did not have the desired effect. He scored in only one of those games and assisted in none.
His form dipped some more and eventually, he was dropped.
In the April/May run in where important games were coming thick and fast, Mahrez had to settle for last-minute cameo appearances and a start against Cardiff.
There were three vital 1-0 league wins, a Manchester derby and a Champions League quarter-final – games where we barely saw Mahrez.
That would have been hard for any good player.
Then came a Pep Guardiola surprise. In the most important game of their season, an underperforming and out of favour Mahrez was thrown into the starting lineup at the Amex stadium and he didn’t disappoint.
His pinpoint corner kick set up the second and he scored the third himself to help his team clinch the title on the final day.
