Ahead of his loan move to La Liga in the summer, the pundits in Spain were not too sure which Samir Nasri they would relish.
The one who was always in the newspaper headlines for the wrong reasons or the playmaking schemer known for his silky skills and creative attacking play.
Once Pep Guardiola became the manager of Manchester City, it was expected that there would be plenty of changes to the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini.
Nasri was at times renowned for his laziness and bad attitude during his five years at the Etihad Stadium, and with the new incoming manager wasting no time in getting rid of players that would not toe the line, it was an easy decision to discard the former Arsenal ace.
According to the Frenchman, Guardiola wanted him to stay at City, but he preferred a move to a team that would value hime and offer him regular first-team football.
As soon as Jorge Sampaoli came knocking and the negotiations had commenced with Sevilla, Andalusia looked the ideal destination.
Even for someone who has always been naturally talented, it was not always going to be easy for Nasri to find a new team in which he could again prove himself at the highest level.
Looking at the dominance of Sampaoli's side in recent months, Sevilla managed to finish second in their Champions League group, are currently within striking distance of La Liga leaders Real Madrid and ahead of reigning champions Barcelona.
The past two months with Sevilla have seen Nasri the subject of great praised from ex-Chile boss Sampaoli, who believes the midfielder is at the top of his game.
"The team breathes when he has the ball," the Argentine revealed in a post-match press conference. "He has so much quality that he is able to relieve us when we're being pressured by our opponent."
Nasri admitted that his best role is through the middle, and Sampaoli placing him in the position he prefers has helped a lot, especially seeing as he has returned the favour with some world-class performances.
"My favourite position is holding midfield because I can get on the ball and be at the centre of the team," the Frenchman expressed.
"I don't like playing on the wing and if I have played there it is because the coach put me there because he thought that was best," Nasri added.
Against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League in October, Nasri put in a hell of a performance and was the best player on the pitch, scoring the only goal before half-time to give Sevilla all three points.
The 29-year-old read the cross from Mariano very well and his first-time shot on goal surprised the goalkeeper. Not only that, he completed 145 passes throughout the game; just four less than the Croatian side had produced as a team for the entire 90 minutes.
The following game, at home to Atletico Madrid in the league, he carried on his fantastic form. Playing in a double-pivot alongside Steven N'Zonzi, the two midfielders had an important job to do on both sides of the pitch against Diego Simeone's side, whose men came to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with a very defensive approach.
Nasri was utilised in a very dynamic role, popping up in a few different positions mainly close to striker Luciano Vietto. A few minutes into the second half, the midfielder went close to giving the hosts the lead but his shot could only find the post.
Being at the centre of each Sevilla attack, he arguably dragged the team to victory and was the key figure in deserved win which was made possible by N'Zoni's second-half winner.
A lot of the credit will go to the manager for how he has converted the individual into a central midfield playmaker.
However, Nasri deserves some appreciation for leaving his own comfort to enjoy football once again.
He might not have the astonishing goal and assist record to prove he's doing well in La Liga, but his influence in the middle of the park, and Sevilla's lofty standing this season, should sum up how his loan is panning out in Spain.