According to Premier League data, Manchester City would make 28,241 passes by the end of the season - a trademark of Pep Guardiola's style of play and a Premier League record. And rather astonishingly, 89% of those passes reached their intended target.
Planning for the City Football Academy (CFA) began in 2008, shortly after Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan purchased Manchester City for £210 million. The academy was opened in 2014, after going majorly over budget and costing Mansour £200 million to build.
Since Mansour has been in charge, the club has accumulated annual losses of over £535 million, which Mansour publicly laughs off due to his estimate family net worth of £1 trillion.
Since Mansour has been in charge, the club has accumulated annual losses of over £535 million, which Mansour publicly laughs off due to his estimate family net worth of £1 trillion.
Many football fans will remember Manchester City's remarkable feat in the 2011/12 season, beating QPR 3-2 on the final day of the season to snatch the Premier League title from within the grasp of bitter rivals Manchester United. And whilst that fateful day in May will always be special, City do have form when it comes to upsetting their neighbors.
City wanted to stay close to their home, the Etihad Stadium, and a purpose-built pedestrian bridge was made to connect CFA to the stadium. The club was committed to the regeneration of the area, which was formerly a brownfield site.
And it's not just the outside that's impressive; within the walls of CFA reside the coaches, physiotherapists, doctors and sports science staff, as well as multiple gyms, a restaurant, press conference room, boardrooms, a TV studio, and even sleeping accommodation.