Kinkladze at Man City in numbers

Twenty-two goals and 11 assists in 122 Manchester City games does not tell the story of Georgi Kinkladze's importance.

As my colleague Marc Higginson wrote on this page last week, Kinkladze was perceived as "a genius in the Lionel Messi mode" for his bewildering close control, mesmeric dribbles and memorable goals.

For the neutral football fan in the 1990s, Kinkladze was mentioned in the same breath as the stars of the day, albeit with the caveat that this was Manchester City - and quite simply anything can happen.

And indeed, it did. City were relegated in 1996 on goal difference with Kinkladze in their team. That meant he actually played two of his three seasons at Maine Road playing First Division football (now the Championship).

Not something one imagines Messi having to contend with.

But his magic extended beyond the football field and was more in the potential, the prospect he could embark on one of those mazy runs and finish it off in customary style.

Ultimately he was sold to Ajax in the summer of 1998 before returning to English football with Derby County 15 months later.

There he did grace the Premier League again, but only managed three goals and six assists before experiencing relegation once more.

It was not an easy ride for Kinkladze and City - far from it - but the Georgian playmaker laid the groundwork for the stars of today.

And he is loved for it.