Who would have thought in the summer that, come winter, Stephen Ireland would be regarded as one of the Premier League's most devastating midfielders?
Despite the instant impact of Brazilian mega-star Robinho, and the welcome return of Shaun Wright-Phillips, it is the 22-year-old Irishman who has been the Sky Blues' most outstanding performer this season.
And Richard Dunne believes that, regardless of who manager Mark Hughes brings to Eastlands next month, Ireland will remain the most influential and reliable member of the City squad.
"Stephen has been the best player this season despite all the money available and the international superstars in the squad," the defender told the News of the World.
"He has been the one that has shone. He has worked that hard and been that determined that no matter who we sign he will be the first choice when the team is picked."
Crossroads
Ireland's career came to a crossroads last season, after off-field debacles and generally erratic behaviour put both his international and club future in serious doubt.
The Cobh native is yet to return to the Republic of Ireland squad, but given his blistering form it should only be a matter of time before that path is open to him once more.
"The main thing for Stephen is that he has grown up," Dunne continued. "He was training non-stop throughout the summer because he wants to become the best he possibly can.
"It shows just how strong he is mentally as there were clubs bidding for him and it didn’t look like he was staying."
Few Changes
But despite Ireland's goals, assists and all-action play, City are facing a relegation battle as we approach the second half of the 2008-09 campaign.
The richest club in the world sit just two points above the drop zone, having drawn with 19th-placed Blackburn Rovers after their astonishing 5-1 thumping of high-flying Hull City on Boxing Day.
A host of high-profile names from across Europe have been linked with the blue half of Manchester, such as Kaka, Marcos Senna and Gianluigi Buffon - but Dunne reckons there won't be too many changes in January.
He added: "I am sure we will strengthen in certain areas, but I don’t think there will be five, six or seven world superstars coming in."
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