Player ratings for Manchester City’s Premier League title winners | Manchester City

Ederson

Has he ever made a mistake that costs him points? The Brazilian has only been beaten 26 times, two less than last season. This is also the credit for the rest of the full-back and attacking players: the 83 goals scored in 2020-21 have been eclipsed by 99. 9

Zack Steffen

The 27-year-old American can be proud to have returned a clean sheet in his only appearance: a 2-0 win over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in October. 7

Kyle Walker

In these eyes his best season under the colors of City. Walker turns 32 on May 28, but the familiar sight of the right-back’s afterburners propelling him to thwart a break hasn’t faded. Control under pressure has become flawless from a player who is one of Pep Guardiola’s go-to warriors. 9

Oleksandr Zinchenko

A smart footballer, as you’d expect from a schemer-turned-left-back, Zinchenko lacks João Cancelo’s quick defensive and attacking game. What he offers is metronomic reliability and a badass mentality: the way the Ukrainian performed so well during Russia’s harrowing invasion of his homeland is admirable. 9

Joao Cancelo

In a constellated group of quality, the Portuguese occupies the highest level. From the back (mainly from the left flank), Cancelo is a creative force with an eye for a pass and his geometric awareness of traffic and space is akin to that of Toni Kroos. If Cancelo can be caught with a quick counterattack, it’s a by-product of City’s high line. 9

Aymeric Laporte

Like all City centre-backs, Laporte lack of speed when turning. Still, while no footballer is perfect, the defender can look forward to a near-perfect season after reclaiming automatic pick status lost last year. Absent the silkier move-building skills of John Stones, Laporte delivers a simple and robust defense. 9

John Stones

Injuries and Guardiola’s constant scrutiny of performance levels saw the England man back on the bench after dislodging Laporte. Even Rúben Dias’ recent injuries have taken Stones to just 12 league starts (his lowest for the club) and the mystery is what Laporte did so well in last summer’s tight season to go from non grata defender to once again take advantage of Guardiola’s supreme confidence. 7

Ruben Dias

The de facto captain who wore the armband in the (almost permanent) absence of Fernandinho is admired by Guardiola for his professionalism. Dias can be heavy to control and sometimes shaky under high balls, but he was, once again, as vital as he was in his first season. 9

Fernandinho

Comes the hour, comes the Fernandinho. City’s slew of struggling defenders at the end of the season – Dias, Nathan Aké, Laporte, Walker – paved the way for a swan song from Guardiola’s favorite squad member, who leaves this summer after nine years and five securities. 7

rodri

Oil in a super smooth machine. The phrase ‘pass-and-go’ could be tattooed on one arm of the Spaniard as he is astute in occupying the half yard needed to receive and distribute the ball. In Guardiola’s always unpredictable team selection game, the 25-year-old is a constant after being mystifyingly dropped for the Champions League final last May. 9

Riyadh Mahrez

Just 15 league starts (plus 13 substitute appearances) seems low for a wide man Guardiola likes to trust for the biggest contests (Mahrez has played in all 12 Champions League games). Coming from the Algerian who loves bamboozling defenders, sliding towards goal and offloading or attacking a team-mate, that makes his 11 league strikes all the more impressive. 9

Bernardo Silva

A little magician whose permanent smile hides his ruthlessness with his opponents and the ease of the game for him. Who at Villa Park in early December will forget how Silva finished a symphonic back-and-forth move with the purest of volleys that was a moment of art in the midst of a frenetic contest? ten

Kevin De Bruyne

The 2021-22 vintage was, to this witness, De Bruyne’s best as the imperious Belgian’s response to serious injury and Covid early in the season was to become City’s showpiece act precisely when it was needed. : at the commercial end of the defense title. The 30-year-old has scored 15 goals – eight since March – in 25 starts. Factor in the vision, laser-like passing, relentless work-rate and endearing nonchalance and he’s a total bonafide footballer. City Player of the Season. ten

Phil Foden

Nine goals and five assists in 24 starts might seem subpar for a sparkling talent who is still only 21 years old. But consider how he can operate in attack and midfield and how Guardiola often plumps for him as a false 9 and a richer understanding. is allowed a footballer whose ability to dazzle can suck the air out of any spectator. 8

Rahim Sterling

At 13 goals against the 10 of the last mandate when he lost his place for the final phase of the campaign. An unwanted penchant for missed chances remains, but Sterling can be a winner who this season has returned to driving defenders ahead of his early days at City. 8

Jack Greish

Three goals is a paltry tally from a footballer whose swinging, angled wing game offers a different dimension. A truism says that a player in his second season under Guardiola often improves through a better understanding of the manager’s demands and team patterns. For the British record signing of £100million, then, that’s in 2022-23. 7

Ilkay Gundogan

Will Sunday’s hero still be at City next season? He has 12 months left on his terms and at 31 he can leave for more game time. His numbers have dropped this year – 27 appearances, seven as substitutes, for eight goals, compared to 13 strikes in 28 (five as substitutes) last season – but Guardiola trusts Gündogan and therefore won’t want to lose the German, who delivered spectacularly on the last day to give City the title. 8

Gabriel Jesus

Eight goals from a player signed as a centre-forward is far too few and continues a pattern: in six seasons, the Brazilian has managed double figures only twice, registering a peak of 14 in 2019-20 and 13 two years earlier. the purchase of Erling Haaland and last summer’s pursuit of the equally prolific Harry Kane illustrates how Guardiola recognizes that Jesus can never be a man of 20 league goals a season. 7

Nathan Ake

A team player who can operate through defense and whose 14 appearances have been solid. 6

Cole Palmer

Four league appearances for an attacking midfielder suggest the 20-year-old could have a long-term future under Guardiola. 7

James McAtee

Two cameos – against Everton in November and at Norwich in February. 6

Ferran Torres

Four league games and two goals before leaving for Barcelona in December. 7

Also played

One appearance each for Liam Delap, Conrad Egan-Riley, Kayky and Benjamin Mendy.