MAKING THEIR MARKS: RICHARD TANNER ASSESSES PEP’S TITLE-WINNING SQUAD
GOALKEEPER EDERSON:
The Brazilian ‘sweeperkeeper’ has been a revelation in his first season in England. Not only is he an agile shot-stopper, brave and always alert to danger, his distribution is outstanding – it’s like having an 11th outfield player. Premier League appearances: 33. Goals: 0. Mark: 9/10 DEFENDERS KYLE WALKER:
Justified his desire to quit Tottenham – and his £50m fee – by landing his first two major medals. His pace, strength and attacking ability have added an extra dimension.
Appearances: 30. Goals: 0. Mark: 8/10
DANILO: The versatile Brazilian was a largely unheralded signing from Real Madrid last summer to act as cover in both full-back roles and midfield. He looks more comfortable on the right side but has also been used on the left. Scored one of City’s best goals of the season at Burnley. Appearances: 19. Goals: 2. Mark: 7/10 VINCENT KOMPANY: His injury curse disrupted the first half of his season but his experience and leadership has proved invaluable in the second. City always look more secure when he is playing. Now has three Premier League title medals. Appearances: 15. Goals: 1. Mark: 8/10 NICOLAS OTAMENDI: The rugged Argentinian, below, is one of the most improved players under Pep Guardiola, who described him at one point as his “Superman” because of his 100 per cent commitment. Increasingly composed on the ball, Otamendi has weighed in with some important goals and has cut out the reckless defending – although still prone to the odd mistake. Appearances: 32. Goals: 4. Mark: 8/10 JOHN STONES:
Started the season as an automatic choice in the middle of the back four alongside Otamendi but not been as convincing since returning from a two-month absence with a hamstring injury in the middle of the season and lost his place in recent weeks. Appearances: 16. Goals: 0. Mark: 7/10 FABIAN DELPH:
Surprised everyone by opting to stay at City last summer but his decision has been vindicated. The midfielder reinvented himself – with help from Guardiola – as a left-back to fill the void that was left when Benjamin Mendy was injured early in the season. Appearances: 18. Goals: 1. Mark: 7/10 MIDFIELDERS FERNANDINHO:
A mainstay for Guardiola. The Brazilian, left, has anchored the midfield superbly with his aggression and stamina, while the quality of his passing is often overlooked. Provided the perfect platform for the more creative players to flourish ahead of him.
Appearances: 30. Goals: 3. Mark: 8/10 ILKAY GUNDOGAN: The first player Guardiola signed for City – from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 – showed great determination to come back from a 10-month injury lay-off with ruptured knee ligaments in September to give City more midfield
options. An intelligent player and a cultured passer with an eye for goal. Appearances: 25. Goals: 4. Mark: 8/10 DAVID SILVA:
Has been a truly class act since joining City in 2010. The immaculate performances of Silva, right, were all the more remarkable given he was playing against the backdrop of personal trauma following the premature birth of his son midway through the season.
Appearances: 26. Goals: 8. Mark: 9/10
KEVIN DE BRUYNE:
City’s player of the season would walk the PFA and Football Writers’ awards if not for the scoring exploits of Mohamed Salah. Maintained a consistent level of brilliance in a slightly deeper midfield role. Some of his passing was out of this world. Appearances: 33. Goals: 7. Mark: 10/10 Had to wait for his chance following a £43m move from Monaco in July last year, but has made a big contribution on the right of midfield with his jinking skills and creativity. Scored the winner against Chelsea at the Etihad in March. BERNARDO SILVA: Appearances: 31. Goals: 4. Mark: 8/10 STRIKERS RAHEEM STERLING:
Has improved his decision-making, positioning and scoring record under Guardiola’s tutelage. Scored 22 in all competitions but still misses far too
many chances – otherwise would be up in Salah goals territory. Appearances: 29. Goals: 17. Mark: 9/10
LEROY SANE:
The Germany international has underlined his status as one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers and was often unplayable. Scored nine goals and provided 11 assists. His potential is scary – he’s still only 22. Appearances: 28. Goals: 9. Mark: 9/10 SERGIO AGUERO:
Began the season with doubts over his future but shrugged them off to become City’s all-time leading scorer – Aguero, right, is one short of a century of goals for the
club. A knee injury in March has taken the shine off another outstanding season. Appearances: 25. Goals: 21. Mark: 9/10 The 21-year-old Brazilian dipped a bit in his second season at City – not helped by two months out after suffering a knee injury on New Year’s Eve. Took his time to recover but has still bagged 10 goals.
GABRIEL JESUS:
Appearances: 24. Goals: 10. Mark: 7/10 ALSO PLAYED: Eliaquim Mangala 11 games; Yaya Toure 7; Oleksandr Zinchenko 7; Aymeric Laporte 5; Benjamin Mendy 4; Brahim Diaz 3; Phil Foden 3, Claudio Bravo 1.