With City blowing a chance to go on top after another home game gone without a win, losing 2-1 to Everton this Monday, we thought it’d be a good idea to review how much exactly has been spent on the current squad of players with Roberto Mancini trying to handle the egos, price tags and expectations and finally deliver a season in which City justifies the huge amount of money spent, not even counting Robinho, Bellamy and others who are no longer with the club, and muster up a title challenge or at least a Champions League spot by the end of the season.

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Joe Hart – The only player on the current Manchester City squad bought before 2008 – He came from small club Shrewsbury Town for a fee which grew to 1.5 million pound after he impressed at both club and the England U-19. Hart had a very promising start at City but after Shay Given was purchased in 2009, he lost his place. He was loaned out to Birmingham in 2009-2010, winning the Premiership’s best keeper award. Hart is now the number one keeper again, and finally is also the number one keeper, at the age of 23, of the English national team.

Jo, or Joao Alves de Assis Silva – One of the bigger busts, Jo was purchased for 18 million pounds from CSKA Moscow after three impressive seasons with the Russian club, scoring 30 league goals in 53 matches. Since his arrival he has spent time being loaned with Everton and Galatasaray, scoring only one goal for City in 17 league matches.

Vincent Kompany – The Belgian international Centre Back arrived at City from Anderlecht at the age of 22 for six million pounds. He has been an integral part of the squad since arriving from Brussels, notching well over 100 caps in all competitions for the Citizens.

Shaun Wright-Phillips – All in all, Wright-Phillips was a bargain for City. He was sold to Chelsea for 21 Million Pounds on July 2005 and was bought back right after the 2008-2009 season began for 8.5 million. He was a dominant player in the lineup during his return season, but injuries and inconsistent play has kept more and more on the bench, playing only three league matches this season so far.

Pablo Zabaleta – The Argentinian all-rounder was signed three days after Wright Phillips from Espanyol for 6.5 Million pounds. He has played 67 league matches for the club since arriving.

Wayne Bridge – Never lived up to the expectations and the price tags at both Chelsea and City, now waiting for someone to get him out of his misery. Bridge was purchased from Chelsea for 10 million pounds but his disappointing play over the years, the proneness to injury gave City the indication to look for another left-back. Bridge has played in only 2 league matches this season.

Nigel de Jong – The aggressive and sometimes violent DM was purchased from Hamburg for 16 million pounds on January 2009 and hasn’t left the starting lineup since. His work rate and strength in the middle of the park have earned him a lot of admirers among his team’s fans, but many haters around the soccer world for his brutal tackles, leg breaking and one kick to the chest in a World Cup Final.

Shay Given – One of the weirdest transfers of the January 2009 transfer window saw Given, who has been with Newcastle since 1997, not far from breaking the club’s appearance record, getting shipped to Manchester City for 9.5 million pounds. It was weird because City had Hart, looking like the next England keeper, and because such a Newcastle icon was shipped. Given played well, as always, but lost his place to the returning Joe Hart this season. Rumors say, Celtic might be his next stop.

Gareth Barry – The summer of 2009 spending spree began with the Aston Villa captain finding a new home for 12 million pounds after saying he wants to play in the Champions League. Funny… City didn’t even play in Europe that season. He has been an automatic starter for City since arriving, scoring three league goals since arriving.

Roque Santa Cruz – Another huge striker bust. Santa Cruz arrived from Blackburn for 18 Million pounds but has played in only 20 league matches since arriving, scoring three goals, usually coming off the bench. This season he has seen the pitch only once, coming in as a substitute.

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Carlos Tevez – City’s best player during the last 16 months, Tevez arrived from Manchester United for 25 million pounds ( a fee paid to MSI) and has scored 33 league goals for City since arriving (10 this season). Although always giving 150% when on the pitch, it seems his head and heart are drawing him elsewhere from the club, according to recent reports. Maybe it’s even away from the game, although it’s highly unlikely. It’s more likely he just feels that City, despite all the cash and potential, aren’t fit for his measures.

Emmanuel Adebayor – Another striker to arrive that summer for 25 million pounds, Adebayor had a great start to his City career but the momentum faded quickly. Doesn’t seem to have recovered from the tragedy in Angola. Has scored only one goal this season, getting only two starts. His European form is better, scoring four goals in the Europa League.

Kolo Toure – The Ivorian international is probably having even more fun this year with City after getting his younger brother to join him at Manchester. The Centre back was purchased from Arsenal for 16 million pounds and has been one of City’s better performers this season.

Joleon Lescott – Lescott was bought for the huge fee of 22 million pounds but has been a complete failure at City, lacking the confidence and aerial dominance he showed while playing for Everton. Maybe the injuries are to blame. He has lost his place in the City lineup, playing only six matches so far this season.

Patrick Viera – The Arsenal legend arrived from Inter Milan on January 2010 for free and is enjoying a lucrative salary, playing from time to time while his retirement draws nearer.

Adam Johnson – The youngster was purchased on February 2010 from Middlesbrough for something around 8 million pounds and usually finds himself coming off the bench, playing on both wings. As a few pundits have suggested, Johnson deserves a place in the starting lineup due to his form and ability, but he has cost less than a few others (like Silva and Milner) so Mancini uses him as a sub.

Jerome Boateng – Signed for 10.4 million pounds from Hamburg even before his impressive World Cup, Boateng’s start to his City career has been hampered by injuries, playing only 9 matches so far. He wasn’t brought off the bench during the loss to Everton on Monday.

Yaya Toure – Signed for 24 million pounds from Barcelona (I thought they were crazy to let him go, but have been doing well so far), Toure has been one of City’s better players, scoring three league goals and proving to being more attack-minded than during his time with Barca. Still, life is hard when you don’t have Iniesta or Xavi with you.

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David Silva – The super-talented Silva was purchased for 24 million as well, but would have gone for a higher price if his World Cup campaign was better, as he lost his place in Spain’s first XI as the campaigned rolled on. Silva has been inconsistent, scoring three goals and delivering three assists but has yet to show long stretches of brilliance as expected from him. It’s been mostly sparks here and there. My feelings are he’s a wrong fit at his current club. Manchester United would have been a much better place.

Aleksandar Kolarov – Kolarov was fantastic with Lazio last season, enough to convince City and splash 16 million pounds on the 25 year old Serb who missed the first couple of months this season due to an injury.

Mario Balotelli – The talented but troubled prodigy can’t keep his mouth shut, stating this week that he wishes to play for AC Milan, but is enjoying his time with City. Purchased for 24 million pounds, Balotelli has scored only 2 goals in 7 matches for City, usually producing displays lacking accuracy in the penalty area.

James Milner – Eighteen million pounds he cost, coming from Aston Villa, after upgrading his status during the 2009-2010 season, re inventing himself as a central midfielder. It doesn’t seem Mancini has decided how to use him in the lineup, or many of the players to be exact, and Milner has been rather unimpressive since signing with City.

Total Bill – 318 Million Pounds

Don’t forget. January’s just around the corner, and they say the Sheikh has plenty more money lavish on his already extremely expensive toy. Not like Real Madrid, but still very expensive.