In 2011, Gaël Clichy decided it was time to try something new after many years in London and signed for Manchester City.
The Frenchman became an important player for the Etihad club during his time in the north of England, playing 203 times for them, scoring three goals and assisting another 14.
He got to know Pep Guardiola during his time there for one season, a manager he looks up to a lot, and one he claims has changed the way he looks at football.
That’s the usual discourse when players are asked about working with the Spanish manager, which is what Onze Mondial did.
Then came the question about the transfer to Manchester City, who then had Roberto Mancini as their head coach.
Clichy replied: “I needed to go up a level. I needed to reach a new step and I felt it was the time for me to turn the page. Winning trophies is something important in the career of a top level player. I needed a more important challenge to reach my goals.
“Going to City, without lacking respect to Arsenal, was necessary. In six years, I won two Premier Leagues. I discovered a new level. That’s what allowed me, in my eyes, to impose myself in the France national team under Laurent Blanc”.
Winning the Premier League in his first season thanks to that goal from Sergio Agüero, the Frenchman says it’s ‘very difficult to describe’ how he lived that historical moment.
He added: “I had just arrived a few months before. It was a difficult decision because I saw myself do all my career at Arsenal with a manager, a president and fans who had always been there for me, but I needed to win trophies”.
That’s exactly what he ended up doing, before leaving for Basaksehir in 2017.
Now? The 36-year-old plays for Servette FC in Switzerland, where he is a starter.
