To think, Aymeric Laporte turned down Manchester City 18 months ago because he was concerned about a shortage of first-team opportunities.
Yet here he was, City’s new £57million record signing, thrust straight into action against West Brom the day after walking into the Etihad because John Stones was ill.
‘We will make each other better,’ said Laporte in his first interview on Tuesday, but this wasn’t what he had in mind for Stones.
Pep Guardiola’s decision to start the uncapped Frenchman may have disappointed Vincent Kompany, City’s vastly experienced captain who was handed a place on the bench.