Silverware, but it could have been so much more!
M.E.N. Sport’s STUART BRENNAN’S ratings for the campaign
CITY have had a curious season in many ways.
They scored the third highest number of goals in English football history, finished second in the league and won the Carabao Cup and yet there is a feeling of disappointment permeating the club after the Champions League KO by Lyon.
That is despite the Blues playing football which at times has been ethereal and irresistible.
So marking players out of 10 leaves us with the problem of whether we lean heavily on their actual performance or the fact they under-achieved in terms of trophies. But we did it anyway...
■ EDERSON
HIGH-PROFILE clangers in big games - United away and Lyon especially - have been balanced by some breathtaking long passing which give City an extra attacking option and a few fine goalkeeping displays . .................. 7
■ CLAUDIO BRAVO
THE keeper leaves City having redeemed himself after his disastrous debut season. Played 17 times this season without a memorable mistake .................................. 7
■ KYLE WALKER
EARLY season doubts were swept away by some powerful performances, especially since the re-start. Shame that he finished with a bad display against Lyon, but who didn’t? ........................... 7 ■ JOAO CANCELO
FOR a £60m full-back, he struggled to get a game until Ben Mendy’s injury and suspension gave him a chance at left-back which he took with some style. Looked to be leaving, but that late renaissance might cause both him and the club to re-think ....... 6
■ FERNANDINHO
RE-INVENTED as a centreback, and in Laporte’s long absence he was the best defender City had. In bigger games, his defensive credentials were tested - much better as a front-foot player. 7
■ JOHN STONES
SEEMED to totally lose the faith of the manager after some underwhelming defending. Nice passing is all very well, but he needs to be nastier and more clinical when the opposition has the ball ......................................... 4
■ NICOLAS OTAMENDI
A SEASON too far for the Argentina international. Raul Jimenez striding past him, the collapse at Norwich, and other calamities all involved him ........................................ 4
■ ERIC GARCIA
CITY seemed to have solved the centre-back problem after re-start as the young Spaniard stepped up nicely. Then he announced he wanted to leave. Fine instinctive defender and organiser, with pace and height his weaknesses .................................... 7
■ TAYLOR HARWOODBELLIS
A FEW glimpses of the England youth skipper - early days for him, but he combines English aggression and aerial power with Guardiolastyle technical excellence and lifelong City support! ........... 7
■ AYMERIC LAPORTE
HIS injury early in the season was a turning point in City’s campaign. Has been excellent since his return, but badly needs a consistent, regular partner ..................... 7
■ BENJAMIN MENDY
MORE injury woes, some
headless defending at times, and much of his attacking has lacked final product. Time running out for him ............. 5
■ OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO
HIS transformation to leftback has fizzled out, just as it did with Fabian Delph. Red card at Spurs and awful mistake at Southampton cost him the manager’s trust ...... 4
■ ANGELINO
THE only City player to reach the Champions League semi-final, on loan at RB Leipzig. Strangely picked for big games against Liverpool and United - and flopped miserably .............................. 4
■ RODRI
FOR a debut season in a tough league, in such a pivotal position, he was a big hit. Powerful, if a little slow, he also added height at setpieces. Expect him to be even better next season now he is acclimatised ................. 7
■ ILKAY GUNDOGAN
THE unsung hero of the midfield, his clever, busy working of the ball to and fro, and well-timed incisive balls, are a key feature, even if he remains unspectacular ........ 7
■ KEVIN DE BRUYNE
HEAD and shoulders above the rest of the squad this season. Twenty league assists,
13 goals, and displays of pure energy, creativity and breathtaking beauty. Best midfielder on the planet, even better than Jordan Henderson! ...... 9
■ TOMMY DOYLE
GREAT to get a look at the lad with the impeccable City pedigree, and he combines snap with a certain style. Big season for him coming up .. 6
■ DAVID SILVA
HIS decision to quit this summer looked correct after some ordinary displays by his
own standards, but in the second half of the season he showed his enduring quality with some moments of pure class ....................................... 8
■ BERNARDO SILVA
DIFFICULT season for him, on and off the field, after his brilliant campaign last time. The energy was usually there, but the menace and ideas sometimes deserted him ..... 6
■ PHIL FODEN
HUGE plus this season has been the acceleration of his
development. Now a firm part of the first team, able to play in four different positions. Exceptional ......... 8
■ RIYAD MAHREZ
THE first half of the season belonged to him with some great goals, wonderful wing play and a first touch of exquisite velvet. Faded a little, but still a successful campaign..8
■ RAHEEM STERLING
THIRTY-ONE goals is an incredible achievement for a player who was mocked for his finishing not long ago, and he has been excellent, right up until his past came back to haunt him with that jaw-dropping miss against Lyon ....................................... 8
■ GABRIEL JESUS
STILL haunted by moments of doubt, but his team ethic and work rate have served him well - two man of the match performances against Real Madrid speak for themselves - but he needs to kick on to the next level now ........................................ 7
■ SERGIO AGUERO
INJURY interrupted what had been another fine season, with 23 goals in 32 games. No signs of the club legend slowing down as he enters the final year of his contract ................................. 7