Pep Guardiola did not mince his words. Eliaquim Mangala had turned down a deadline day move to Crystal Palace and his manager, whilst supportive of his decision, was forthright.
If the defender wanted first team football, he would have to prove himself, warned the Catalan. Prove that he can be relied on, prove that he will not make errors and prove that the £42m Manchester City paid various parties for his services was not a colossal waste of money.
Mangala, now 26, vowed to do just that and it would appear that now, following injury to John Stones, he has his chance.