Shay: Blues to be Prem true greats

SHAY GIVEN has no worries about whether Manchester City can do it on a cold Monday night at Stoke.

The former Republic of Ireland keeper spent 20 years in the Premier League – and he reckons Pep Guardiola’s team can become the best he’s ever seen.

“I played against some great sides – and City have to now be up there with the very best,” said Given (inset, top).

“Other people will talk about Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles or the Fergie side that did the Treble with Manchester United.

“But, in my opinion, just the brand of football City play already puts them on a par with those two teams.

“What they will have to do next is win big trophies on a regular basis.

“And if City can have a sustained period of success – winning multiple titles and also the Champions League – then they will have to be considered the best the Premier League has ever seen.

“I have never seen another team produce this kind of football, creating chances, scoring goals and just tearing teams apart.”

Given played for both City and Stoke during a career that also took him to Blackburn and Aston Villa. He won 134 caps for the Republic.

While City go into tomorrow night’s game on the brink of a third title in seven seasons, the Potters need points for very different reasons.

Boss Paul Lambert has lost just one of six games since he succeeded Mark Hughes as manager, but Stoke remain in the bottom three and their 10-year stay in the top-flight is under serious threat.

Given said: “It’s so tight down at the bottom that I think 37 points might be enough to stay up this season.

“There will be no club in the bottom half of the table thinking they’re safe because it is so easy to get sucked into it. Paul Lambert has steadied things for Stoke. He has collected some valuable points and he will know that, if he can pick up a win that will bounce them up the table, it would give the whole club a huge psychological lift.”

Given, who has moved into media work since hanging up his boots last summer, will be watching both keepers.

Ederson (above), the Brazilian who joined City from Benfica last year, has been the sweeper-keeper that Guardiola wanted when he ditched Joe Hart.

At the other end, Jack Butland (inset, below) will be looking to bolster his chances of replacing Hart as England’s first-choice at the World Cup.

Given said: “I was at the Etihad when City beat Chelsea last week and I was asked who I would pick if I had the choice between Ederson and Thibaut Courtois.

“Courtois is a great keeper, but I don’t think Pep would pick anyone ahead of Ederson.

“The way City play relies on the keeper being able to pass the ball.

“He brings a calmness and composure to the team. There is never any panic with City because the outfield players know they can trust the keeper when he’s got the ball at his feet.

“For me, he’s the best in the league at that.”

Given added: “Jack Butland has done well, despite the problems Stoke have had this season.

“He’s shipped quite a lot of goals, but, at the same time, he hasn’t had great cover in front of him.

“I know Jack well. He’s a confident lad with huge belief in his ability and he will know the England shirt for the World Cup is up for grabs.

“Joe Hart has the shirt at the moment, but he’ll know that he has to get himself playing regularly to get the nod for the World Cup.

“The key is playing games and, because of that, the likes of Jordan Pickford and Jack might now be ahead of Joe for the summer.”