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Manchester City profiles: Proven playmaker Nolito has ability to shine

By Cody Griffin

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Nolito of Manchester City celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Nolito of Manchester City celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Nolito was fairly unknown to Premier League fans before his switch to Manchester City this summer. Since arriving, there has been no looking back for the Spaniard.

We first analyze Nolito’s past few seasons, before predicting his future at Manchester City. A look at not only his potential, but also how his current form is with the side.

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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Nolito of Manchester City celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Nolito of Manchester City celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /

Past

In the years before his City move, Nolito played in the Spanish second division, jumping among clubs before getting a shot with Barcelona’s first team in 2011 after spending three years on the Barca B team. After getting only two outings on the pitch, Nolito made the switch to the Primeira Liga, where he played for SL Benfica.

BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 01: Oscar De Marcos of Athletic Club Bilbao competes for the ball with Nolito of RC Celta de Vigo during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and RC Celta de Vigo at San Mames Stadium on May 01, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 01: Oscar De Marcos of Athletic Club Bilbao competes for the ball with Nolito of RC Celta de Vigo during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and RC Celta de Vigo at San Mames Stadium on May 01, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

After a decent goal tally, the player joined Spanish top flight club Celta Vigo in 2013, where he went on to become an impressive creator and all-around attacker. Calling his time at Celta impressive is really a massive understatement. Nolito scored 14 goals in his first season at the club, and another 11 the following season.

At one point, during September 2014, Nolito helped carry Celta to a month-long streak of unbeaten matches. He tallied three goals and two assists during the run and was named La Liga player of the month that September.

But the truly impressive statistic is the number of chances he created. In the 2014-2015, he created 96 total chances in attack, more than Lionel Messi, and the duly elite Cesc Fabregas.

The following season he scored 12 goals and assisted seven, solidifying his big-time ability even further.

With a reputation like that, many football fans knew that Nolito was bound to make a big-time move.  Many thought it would be back to Barcelona or another high-tier Spanish club; few foresaw City as a destination.