Roberto Mancini was a pretty grumpy manager for much of the transfer window, after all he was supposed to be at the helm of the most cash-rich club in the Premier League, yet he wasn't being allowed to add new faces.
After much discussion, and the eventual sale of players he did not want, including Vladimir Weiss, Emmanuel Adebayor, Adam Johnson, Nigel de Jong, and the loan of Roque Santa Cruz, he was happy when deadline day finished, having added six new faces to his squad.
Here is a look at each of City's new boys and their prospects.
Jack Rodwell
Jack Rodwell has been touted as the next big thing for years now, but injuries have prevented him from really cracking it at Everton. When he has stayed fit he has been a solid performer, and played a role in England's friendly win over Spain last year. He had been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea previously, and City did well to nip in while demand for his signature had dipped and his value had depreciated. He is another young English player to add to the core of the team, and he will be ambitious to prove his reputation is justified. If the midfielder can enjoy an injury-free season, City will reap the benefits and make their rivals regret not following through their interests. Potential impact this season: 3/5
Scott Sinclair
There were those who encouraged Scott Sinclair not to go to City, for fear of him being regularly benched like Adam Johnson. It is important to remember though that the pair are two different players, and Sinclair has every chance of success. He has already expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing against Real Madrid in the Champions League. It would have been easy for him to stick with Swansea while the going was good, but Sinclair showed him ambition in pushing for a move. The 23-year-old is a regular goalscorer from out wide, and having been at Chelsea earlier in his career will not be daunted at the size of City and challenge ahead. Potential impact this season: 5/5
Richard Wright
This was an odd one, one year to the day Manchester City announced they were signing Owen Hargreaves, the club decided to pursue former Arsenal goalkeeper Richard Wright. Wright was a free agent and adds further depth in the goalkeeping position behind Joe Hart and Costel Pantilimon and was signed 24 hours later. Wright was once tipped for the very top with Arsenal but grew frustrated at waiting for a chance behind David Seaman, and left for Everton. That was followed by spells in the lower leagues, but Mancini has hailed his experience as a reason behind signing the 34-year-old. Potential impact this season: 1/5
Maicon
Brazilian right-back Maicon was signed for as little as £3 million, proving there really is value in the transfer market. Do Manchester City need him? Well they have Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards, but he certainly gives them options. Mancini has toyed with a 3-5-2 formation in pre-season, and Maicon and his attacking talents may be perfect for the right wing-back role should the manager seek to pursue it. Maicon is 31 and won the Champions League with Inter just two seasons ago. He scored twice last season for Inter in 24 Seria A appearances and provided five assists. All eyes will be on his match-up with Gareth Bale when he faces Tottenham if selected, after the way the Welshman tormented him in the Champions League two years ago. Potential impact this season: 3/5
Matija Nastasic
Nastasic is a young centre-back bought in to add depth to a perceived weak point in City's squad, and his transfer from Fiorentina saw the disappointing Stefan Savic go the other way. Nastasic is only 19 yet has already been capped by Serbia, and there have been inevitable comparisons with cross-town rival Nemanja Vidic. Like Maicon he made 24 Serie A appearances last season also scoring twice. He will find game time limited thanks to the presence of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott, and will have to ensure he takes the chances he does get, and that he can overtake Kolo Toure in the pecking order. City paid £12 million for his signature, a considerable show of faith in his ability and future potential. Potential impact this season: 2/5
Javi Garcia
Garcia could be the most exciting signing of the lot, and is certainly the most expensive at £16 million, with the transfer confirmed in the final hour of transfer deadline day. Garcia signed from Portuguese club Benfica, although the Spaniard learned his football in the academy at Real Madrid. He is a defensive midfielder who will replace Nigel de Jong, but has the potential to be even better thanks to his creative ability. Garcia is also capable of playing at centre-back, enhancing his usefulness to the City team. He made 39 appearances in all competitions last season, and featured in the Champions League against Manchester United and Chelsea. He won his first international cap for Spain in the build-up to Euro 2012, and will hope his big move enhances his prospects. Potential impact this season: 4/5
Which of these six do you believe will have the biggest impact this coming season?
image: © LivingOS
Dan Coombs
@hitcdancoombsGoogle+more stories from Dan Coombs
Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.
The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire
Hubris: How HBOS Wrecked the Best Bank in Britain
