Nicolas Anelka
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Having only won promotion the previous season, Manchester City's signing of Nicolas Anelka following a loan spell at Liverpool was seen as a major coup for the club.
Joining for a club-record £13m fee, Anelka usurped Shaun Goater as the club's number one striker and ended his first season as their top scorer, including goals in the last Manchester derby at Maine Road and against former clubs Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Frenchman was again the club's top scorer in his second season and continued his penchant for netting against the big teams the following campaign when his goal contributed to Jose Mourinho's first defeat as Chelsea manager.
Anelka eventually left Manchester in January 2005 having scored 45 goals in 103 games for the club across all competitions.
