Summer ins & outs at Manchester City

Of course, this is mostly speculative, guess work…with a little bit of experience / knowledge thrown into the mix.

Who might be leaving?

Probably a good place to start, then we can begin to look at which holes in the team we need to fill.

Claudio Bravo?

I can see this fella staying with 1-year left on his contract but, perhaps, it’ll be in as a registered player, still, but with a part time coaching role too – something like that...

However, there have been recent rumours that some clubs both in Europe and in South America would be keen to sign the Chilean stopper if available and he might just fancy the latter as a stage to bow out on. If we don’t sign an additional keeper in the summer, which is something I’ll get on to in the second part of this piece, then I can see him being asked to stay by a manager who likes him. A lot if it then, in my opinion, is up to the player himself.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 5/10

Would I like to see him stay? Undecided / depends.

Aro Muric?

Again, a lot depends on whether we bring in a new Number 2 to Ederson. If we do, I can see Aro being loaned out again (remember he was, briefly, in August 2018 but was yanked back rapid style following the near-season-long injury to Claudio).

Did well against lower-league oppo in the League Cup and I think Pep likes him. However, our manager might want to see more of him via reports at a club where he’s going to feature far more regularly. A move could be on for the 6’ 6” Kosovo keeper but, as I say, I think it’ll be on loan if anything – I believe he has more time at City to come.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 7/10 (on loan)

Would I like to see him stay? Yes (but fine with a loan).

Danilo?

Well, I don’t think the player himself wants to leave, despite limited game time at either left or right-wing back, and I don’t Pep has an issue with him either. But a lack of minutes on the pitch has, apparently, turned the heads of a couple of ‘wanting teams’ and it’s only for that reason that I’ve included him.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 3/10

Would I like to see him stay? Yes.

Eliaquim Mangala?

If someone will have him, I think this is a definite sale. If someone won’t buy him, surely a loan will be looked at to see out his contract at least. Failing THAT, perhaps they’ll just agree a deal for him to leave with a payoff and a handshake.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 10/10

Would I like to see him stay? No.

Nicholas Otamendi?

I think a lot depends on the player himself; I think Pep would keep him on board as a solid squad player. Should we bring in quality replacement for the departed Vincent Kompany, that could prove a deciding factor for the Argentine as that would surely keep him 4^th in the ‘pecking order’.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 5/10

Would I like to see him stay? Yes.

Fabian Delph?

At times, the versatile England man has proven crucial, especially during the 2017/18 season. But that season came in-between an injury-plagued season the one before and a very much out of sorts season just gone and I think the latter, at least, has killed it for him.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 10/10

Would I like to see him stay? No.

Fernandinho?

There have been no suggestions from anyone that the season just gone would be the Brazilian’s last at City. And neither is intense talk, for so very long of a much-needed, new defensive midfielder, being dubbed necessarily as a replacement for the much-admired, deep-lying middle man. Instead, any newcomer in that role would be someone to share the workload; with any new signing likely to have the higher percentage of games.

But he will be [just] 35 before the end of next season so the question does need to be asked and if our forward-thinking boss also intends to nurture a young player in that mould as well as bringing in a Fernandinho-style player via the chequebook route, then that could nudge the ex-Shakhtar closer towards the exit.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 2/10

Would I like to see him stay? Yes.

Ilkay Gundogan?

Rumours have been ongoing for a while now; possibly even season-long about Ilkay leaving us this summer. Most of those rumours seem to be around the player himself considering his future rather than the club wanting to offload – perhaps there’s a ‘bit of both’ about it.

Despite having to be mindful of managing his well-being post-bad-injury in 2016, he’s more than a useful player to have in our ranks in my opinion. However, at 29 in October and with a strong belief that we’re not only going to swell the ranks of our midfield by one but by two – to include an attacking / creative midfielder as well as the defensive one I’ve just talked about – the decision may already have been made by both parties.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 7/10

Would I like to see him stay? If we do get those two midfielders then, no; it probably is a good time to part company. If not, I’d like him to stay on another season.

Riyad Mahrez?

It wasn’t that long ago at all that it was looking a little ropey for the ex-Leicester man; sat, as he was, looking all frustrated and lost on the side as his colleagues were playing out of their skins on the pitch. It was, in truth, looking quite likely that the player might throw in a transfer request at the end of his first season with us.

But a little revival in the latter weeks – along with much love shown by Guardiola with the TV cameras ever-present for each moment – I think has turned the situation around dramatically. Still, I’ve put him on for all the former reasons.

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 1/10

Would I like to see him stay? Yes – needs another season to prove why we spent £50+M on him.

Leroy Sane?

Odd one this – it’s difficult for me to get my head around a player who has so much talent and loved by most could be possibly leaving. However, although Pep is probably the best man-manager around; there’s no getting away from the feeling that the young German is a little difficult to keep focussed at times and, perhaps, even the mighty Guardiola has worn-down all of his tools in respect of that.

I don’t THINK the player wants to leave but, then again, is he the sort of character who knows exactly what he wants? It did take him a little while to settle into his new surroundings when he first joined us and, therefore, there might still be a residual, underlying, long-term homesick issues. There certainly will be plenty of [big club] suitors lining up, I’m sure, and should he leave, I think that leaves us with a big ‘talent hole’ to fill squad / options wise!

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 5/10

Would I like to see him stay? Yes.

Gabriel Jesus?

This young man comes across to me as being as far away from a quitter as you can get and, so, if there is a move through the exit door this summer, then it’ll be because the manager will have told him that his chances are likely to be even more limited in the year(s) ahead. That’s not to say that they don’t see and appreciate his talents, I’m sure, but if the rumours are correct, it looks like a lot of City fans’ hopes are going to be fulfilled this summer; with a new forward / striker possibly coming into the club.

I am one of those City fans. However, I was disappointed to read the suggestion a few weeks ago that any incoming attacker would come at the cost of the Brazilian leaving. I know we have a wealth of attacking talent in our midfield / wing department and have players who can adapt to a more central, forward role when required. But fighting on 4 fronts as we are – and with Sergio approaching 32 at the end of next season - wouldn’t it be prudent to have Sergio+2 young attackers to rotate / cover / develop?

Chance of leaving in my opinion: 4/10

Would I like to see him stay? Yes.

Number of players from that list likely to leave on a permanent move?

5 – A keeper, a central defender that hasn’t featured, 1 that has, a versatile midfielder / converted left-wing-back and a central midfielder.

Other players who could be released, loaned out or sold:

-       Tosin Adarabioyo

-       Cameron Humphries

-       Pablo Mari

-       Daniel Arzani

-       Luke Brattan

-       Anthony Caceres

-       Aleix Garcia

-       Manu Garcia Alonso

-       Claudio Gomez

-       Yangel Herrera

-       Ko Itakura

-       Douglas Luiz

-       Felix Nmecha

-       Lukas Nmecha

-       Ante Palaversa (already agreed a 2^nd season loan at Hajduk Split as part of the deal when we signed him in January 2019 – our latest, potential, future defensive midfielder, apparently)

-       Ian (Carlo) Poveda

-       Patrick Roberts

-       Brandon Barker

-       Marlos Moreno

I’ll let you pick through those if you want to and decide who might be kept, released, loaned out or sold AND, of course, I bet there are loads of youth players I’ve not mentioned who could be added to that list also.

So…some reinforcement will be needed then.

Keeper?

It’s possible. And I am confused about reports that have been rumbling on for ages about a player called, Zack Steffen; the latest being that we HAVE agreed a deal to sign him…and that he’ll be joining us on a rather specific / random-sounding date of 9^th July 2019.

Zack Steffen

It would appear, then, that we have already – or will have - made our first purchase…or have we. If we have, then it’s ‘watch this space’ with regards to both Claudio & Aro.

What could impact of all of this wishy-washy stuff further, is that it’s been reported that Zack is struggling to get over a foot injury that he’s had for some time now…

Chances of signing a keeper: 5/10

Defenders?

Here’s a minefield!

Shall we start on the left? This is an area I and many Blues have been screaming to get resolved, not just in the last couple of seasons but for many, many seasons! But now, it appears it’s all down to the ‘Benny factor’. Should the LATEST treatment of the Frenchman’s knee be deemed a success, then we won’t be in the market for another / additional left-wing back; with the remoulding of Zinchenko. Those two, it would seem, should be enough to see us right. Fair enough…IF Mendy can stay fit. But would you like a scenario whereby the summer window closes; Mendy breaks down again, we have no Fabian Delph, which leaves us with just the young Ukrainian to ‘go with’ unless we drag Laporte over there again whenever needed? I wouldn’t.

Here are some of the less ridiculous prospects that have been bouncing around next to our club’s name in the last 18 months or so. Alex Sandro, Danny Rose, Juan Bernat, Faouzi Ghoulam, Ben Chilwell & Renan Lodi.

Chance of signing a left-wing back: 2/10

Matthijs de Ligt

Moving across to the centre, then, and a more-likely scenario…but with a few “what ifs” thrown in. First of all, the what ifs are in the form of youth players we have / have already tested, which include Tosin Adarabioyo, Eric Garcia & Phillipe Sandler. All have featured at some point for the first team and I believe that Pep sees promise in at least 2 of those. I’m not sure Tosin is a fit for the way Pep likes his central defenders to play and although he does get decent reviews, it’s not helped the lad’s cause that he was often played as a side defender for loan club West Bromwich Albion.

With Vinny gone, Nicholas possibly making a decision on his future in the coming weeks and John Stones seeing a little too much of the treatment room; I think a purchase is highly likely…and a big spend one too.

Harry Maguire

Names in the frame? Matthijs de Ligt & Harry Maguire appear to be the main targets, with Dan-Axel Zagadou & Samuel Umtiti also linked with the Blues (who isn’t?). I think either of the first two are quite likely and, without knowing for sure, that’s despite de Ligt & Maguire possibly having very different styles / attributes. As for the other two, Zagadou has the shorter contract than Umtiti by a year but has only been at Dortmund for 2 years. Samuel, on the other hand, looks to be surplus at Barcelona and is, apparently, being strongly pursued by Arsenal.

Chance of signing a central defender: 9/10

While on the right of the defence, this is an area that, before last season kicked off, not many Blues thought to be an issue. However, with Kyle Walkers’ flaky performances to say the least for the majority of the season and then, “only”, “Mr Steady” Danilo as a back-up; questions have been asked in recent months as to whether this is now an area for consideration. With a bit of a sigh after only signing Walker in July 2017, I have to agree.

Joao Cancelo

I think it’s just easier to list the less questionable links we’ve had in the last year or so…and there have been many. Benjamin Henrichs, Mario Gaspar, Joao Cancelo, Serge Aurier, AaronWan-Bissaka, Max Aarons & Reece James. If my records are all up-to-date, all those are contracted to either June 2022 & June 2023 and the strongest, more persistent link seems to be with Joao Cancelo.

Want a 36-year old freebie? Dani Alves is about to become a free agent.

Chances of signing a right-wing back: 6/10

Defensive midfield?

Perhaps the easiest question to answer, in terms of are we after someone at least. Rodrigo (Rodri) appears to be the firm favourite; he comes from our Manager’s very own Spain, is at a club who, apparently, needs to sell for whatever their reasons may be and comes with a price tag of around £65M, which seems reasonable these days if he’s going to fix a current issue and can become our new ‘anchor man’ for years to come.

Rodrigo

Tanguy Ndombele is another possibility by all accounts and a third one is a player whose price might be even out of OUR reach, due to being heavily contracted and English, which is West Ham United’s Declan Rice. Declan would certainly be a big capture when you consider that he is apparently just as comfortable as a central defender as he is as a defensive midfielder (2 for 1 might be worth splashing out more for!).

But if you want a “2 for 1” player in a similar vein, then Julian Weigl is often the subject of transfer speculation and has, of course, been linked with us for some time now. And with just 2 years left on his contract, he would likely come a lot cheaper than the price tag The Hammers are likely to stick on Declan.

Chances of signing a defensive midfielder: 10/10

Attacking / creative midfielder?

Not one that immediately springs to your mind as a “must have”? Well…I would sort of disagree with that.

Of course, when you look at the list that includes David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden & Ilkay Gundogan – with options also for other players to ‘slip in there’ when needed – there’s a good argument to say, “No, we don’t need another one”. But the wonderful David definitely wasn’t the player last season that he has been for us over the years and he does turn 34 in January (wow…where did those years go?!).

Bernardo is definitely more devastating on the wing in my opinion at the moment at least; Kevin could…COULD have more injury breakdowns next season (hope not of course), Phil is still learning and then you’re left with ‘not everyone’s cup of tea’ Ilkay, who might want a move this summer anyway.

And don’t forget, let’s keep ahead of the Jones; all of whom are SURE to spend big in the summer too!

So, once again, need an attacking / creative midfielder? Well, if Ilkay goes and looking at those other factors; I personally wouldn’t think it greedy for us to get two!

Names? Bruno Fernandes has already, apparently, been ruled out after very strong, recent links. But…I’m sticking him in there. Houssem Aouar is another one who has been linked with us in the last year or so too.

There is a ‘wildcard’ out there too but without knowing too much about him or his personally situation; there are vibes that he comes with a little bit of ‘head baggage’…and I’m not talking about him packing his headphones when he travels. Freebie (in the summer) Adrien Rabiot is apparently being pursued by both Arsenal & Manyoo but has been linked with us in the last 12 months too, if not recently. Apparently, the French central midfielder has been snarled up in contract wrangles with PSG for some time now.

Joao Felix

Here’s one I was going to include in the next / last category but I’ll fling him in here because he apparently plays either an attacking midfield / just behind the striker type-role just as well as he-apparently does as a striker himself. Joao Felix is his name and, if rumours are to be believed, we’ve not only had this 19-year old watched several times, we’ve been in talks to sign the Portuguese forward for some considerable time.

Chances of signing an attacking / creative midfielder: 10/10

Chances of signing two: 5/10

Another striker anyone?

Well there’s this kid called Joao Felix, right, and…

Moving on.

Antoine Griezmann

“Selling club” Atletico Madrid have a player some may have heard of called, Antoine Griezmann and transfer rumours just won’t seem to go away, despite being contracted to 2023; a contract he extended only 12 months ago.

’Sniffers United’ are apparently ‘in the market’ (WHY WOULD HE?!) and so are Barca. There hasn’t been any serious talk of a possible move to Manchester City in recent times but there have been trickles of information in the last couple of years, in fact, linking the French striker with us.

He’s only an inch taller than Sergio but whenever I’ve seen him play (not much I’ll be honest) he always gives me the impression of being a little taller; whilst still being highly skilful and dangerous in the box of course. He would come at HUGH price and, at 28-years of age, any move now would surely be his last big – or certainly penultimately big – move and, therefore, he’ll want a considerable wage packet & package otherwise.

Luka Jovic

Lastly, a young striker who’s a teammate of Joao Felix, although he has been out on loan in Germany (move now made permanent as from 17th April 2019), called Luka Jovic; a player who has as-apparently been monitored by us for some time too, along with a host of other top sides. Furthermore, as with Felix, we have seemingly been in discussions about signing the 5’ 11”, Serbian. It could be that a double-swoop is-indeed on; meaning that we’ll get a striker and an attacking midfielder-come-striker (perhaps with one staying out on loan as part of any deal)!

Number of players likely to be signed this summer?

5, possibly 6 - A keeper, a right-back, a central defender, a defensive midfielder, an attacking / creative midfielder and possibly a striker / forward.

5 out; 5, possibly 6 in.

Summer break

Well, that’s the third of my close-season trilogy blog-postings finished - not bad considering I’ve been terribly ill all week with suspected tonsillitis! Once again, I appreciate your time in visiting my blog and taking time to read.

Unless there’s anything worth a comment on, I’ll be taking a few months' break to 'draw breath' and refresh for next season. In the meantime, I wish you all a great summer whatever you may be doing and, wherever you are, I hope you get some good weather!

Bye for now.

Manchester City player ratings.

AMAZING season over, how did I rate our players?

Formula

How I do this, is to keep a full record-list of players and adjust their score accordingly as the season progresses. I only rate our players against either Premier League opposition, no matter what competition that may be in, or against Champions League sides.

I also have a * & ** rating, which stands for a player being in particularly good / excellent form on top of their overall rating out of 10.

Ederson Moraes:

I really liked Joe Hart and, unlike a lot of short-term-memory, dare I say, slightly fickle fans I heard at the time Pep issued his ‘changing of the gloves’ orders; I simply recalled the many, many wonderful performances from the former, England number 1 keeper that not only kept us in / won us many games but also went a long way to help us begin to fill our trophy cabinets. So much did I respect the fella, in fact, that he was still in our team when I drew up my all-time City 11 & subs…and he was my main keeper! I also gave him my player of the season more than once, if memory serves.

But times and styles did change and it was clear that Joe just wasn’t ‘that sort of keeper’. I did think at the time, though, that such a professional could be retrained to be a ball player as well as a terrific ‘stopper’ but, looking back, I do remind myself that basic “kicking out” wasn’t his finest quality.

So, we – and football – quickly moved on.

Well, Ed is currently doing a flippin’ good job with his application form to get into my all-time, City 11 / squad, that’s for sure. Of course, it’ll take many more years of playing in a City shirt to fully deserve a place but…does this guy have everything or what?!

I’ve called him a “warrior” in the past; one of the bravest keepers I’ve seen. He looks like he would purposely save at the feet of an attacker with his face…and looks like he has done several times (don’t tell him I said that!). His anticipation, reaction and shot-stopping are all in the column headed-up, “Excellent”; as is, of course, his tremendous footwork ability and mid-to-long range passing. I love the fella and having him ever-present in the league campaign plus other competitions has gone a long, LONG way to helping us achieve all that we have achieved.

A few wobbly, lack of concentration moments? A few. But my WORD he’s allowed those in an otherwise assured season.

I don’t do what some publications do after the match, which is to give the likes of Ederson 6/10 if they’ve had little to do save-wise. Instead, what I do is to look at what they contributed in an otherwise quite game defensively; with regards to how much confidence and smooth interaction he had with his defenders / defensive midfielder. Otherwise, the fella would end up with an end-of-season rating that would reflect poorly on his actual contribution.

My rating: 8.5 * / 10

Danilo

Mr reliable – simple as. He’s definitely more assured than he was when we first sign him; first signed him from Real Madrid, that is, where the fans were starting to get on his back before moving to City. I said in this piece same time last year that Pep would fill him with confidence and I believe he has done just that.

I don’t think he’ll ever be more than a good, 7/10’er but, because of the form of someone I’ll move onto soon, a lot of City fans at one stage of the season were hoping to see the Brazilian start at right-back. Oddly enough, he could be one of a few that’ll be moving on in the summer. If he does, I’m sure he’ll go with a, “Thanks for some crucial, solid performances & cruicial cover fella”.

My rating: 7/10

Vincent Kompany

Honestly, I believed early on last season that it would be ‘our skip’s’ last at the club and I was right. Honestly, I did not think he would play as many games as he did towards the end of the season. I was wrong. Honestly, despite how good he still looked in general, how well he was playing and how fit & strong he appeared to be; I honestly still got jittery a couple of games when I saw him in the starting 11 against teams who, I believed, could have undone him / us for pace. I was wrong both times.

What a hero!

In my all-time City 11? He was before this season. Our best ever Captain? Well there have been some quality City Captains before him but I’d have to say, yes.

What he may have lacked in pace towards the end he MORE than made up for in ALL areas of other attributes and it’s those attributes that saw him and his team cross the last 2 markers to finish treble winners.

It would be easy to go over the top with my marking for Vinny with the influence he had on the team and season, especially after “that” goal. In my current form rating, he definitely gets 2-stars…

My rating: 8** / 10

Aymeric Laporte

Paul Lake – and possibly one or two other players whose names escape me – have been described as “Roll Royce” like over the years. Someone might want to explain that to this Frenchman…and explain also that it’s a fine compliment.

Oozes class & calmness…the latter most of the time. Has pace to keep up with most and when he has to slide-in at the end of one of those chases, he does so with great timing 9 times from 10.

He does have a little ‘hot head’ in him and sometimes appears easily provoked…and this can ‘spill over’ a little too much when we need calmness at the back. Again, Pep will have spotted and will manage that.

Chips in with some vital headed goals too! He’s gonna be with us for some considerable time, I’m sure, and I’m looking forward to us finding his long-term partner in blue.

My rating: 8.5 / 10

Benjamin Mendy

Actually made enough appearance to warrant a mark! Looked like he’d finally got over his second, nasty injury too, which concerned me a little; concerned me because he might then come in and disrupt what had started to look like something solid on the left of our defence.

But then he broke down again and ended the season seeing a specialist in Barcelona.

My rating: 6.5 / 10

Nicholas Otamendi

The Argentine probably isn’t too pleased with the amount of games he featured in the season just gone and I think that reflected in the quality of his performances whenever called upon. Never terrible by ANY stretch but he got a well-deserved 8 / 10 form me at the end of last season.

My rating: 7 / 10

John Stones

Another central defender who didn’t see as much action as he would have liked. Unlike Nicholas, however, a lot of his absences were down to injury niggles…again. And, like Nicholas, decent when he was asked to start or come on as a sub.

My rating: 7 / 10

Kyle Walker

One of the quotes of the season I’ll never forget from a fellow Blue ‘down my local’ referred to Kyle when he said, “This fella has taken huge strides…backwards”. Funny…and how very true.

Had an AWFUL start to the season; had an awful first quarter of the season, had an awful second quarter to the season (and was probably around the time City fans were-then-hoping to see Danilo in the starting 11 on the right of the defence) and had a distinctly average third quarter of the season.

And he knew it himself as well when, about half way through the season, he admitted in a post-match interview that he needed to find his form again. Still, weeks later, that never happened.

However, I give him credit for not letting his head drop and the form he was searching so hard for came into sight, as he ended the season with a couple of good months. He was heading for a 5 at one point…

My rating: 7 / 10

Kevin De Bruyne

What an awful, injury-ravaged season one of our star men had! There isn’t much more else to say, really, other than you can only mark him for what he did when he was fit & playing, of course. And, for that, he was mostly amazing when injury-free periods allowed. Kudos to the Belgium international!

My rating: 8.5 * / 10

Fabian Delph

Simply put, worse season for him in a City shirt. Didn’t feature much…and featured much less as the season went by. I put the latter, at least, down to really off-colour performances from the England man that eventually lead to his permanent exclusion. I can’t see him being here next season either. Shame, he had a really good, 8 / 10 season last time out, which a lot of Blues seem to forget or want to ‘blank out’ in their new pursuit for near-perfection.

My rating: 5 / 10

Fernandinho

The man, despite his age and the rigours fighting so long & hard for 4 trophies, just kept going for the most part and most certainly kept the quality of his play going. Time did catch up with him towards the end, where he had to swap match-day pitch for treatment rooms. Still…

My rating: 8 / 10

Phil Foden

The player is “good” and is highly likely to improve on that “good” rating with a few more years of coaching under Mr Guardiola, I would say. But I do cringe just a little whenever I hear City fans and general pundits alike going over the top about the Stockport-born player who turns 19 in a few days’ time.

I like the look of him myself but I refuse to get sucked into the theory that he is definitely going to be a BIG player in the future. It’s too early to tell, for me, and a poor display against Leicester City, in fact, saw him substituted on 56 minutes and then didn’t even make the bench in our last 2, vital games in order to complete the treble.

Still, mostly “good” displays from our young midfielder whenever given the chance and, so…

My rating: 7 / 10

Ilkay Gundogan

Or “Mr Marmite”, as I’ve come to think of him in recent months. I’ve heard some City fans who can’t find it within themselves to find a good word for him; others, in fact, are downright scathing about the German international!

I know he’s not in the same class as Kevin or either of the Silvas but, let’s not forget, we were told at the start of the season that he and the backroom team at City have to manage his long-term fitness with regards to the awful injury he received just after signing for us in 2016. I’ll add also that he was brought in as a creative, more forward-thinking midfielder rather than the defensive midfield cover man we’ve asked him to become in recent times.

He can make wrong decisions with his passing and his passing radar can be off at times. But, overall, I think he’s done better than decent for us most of the time and that goes for the season just gone too.

My rating: 7.5 / 10

Riyad Mahrez

“We don’t need him”. “He’s no improvement on what we’ve got”. “I don’t want him”. “I’d rather we spend that money on a (BLANK) than on him”. “Where’s he gonna play, who do we leave out?”. These were questions, to mention just a few, that a lot of City fans were asking as the deal looked to be almost done. Me? I was quietly nodding in agreement with some of those comments with a…“Wait ‘n’ see / could be a good signing” rider.

I waited and I saw.

I saw a player who, at first, appeared to be trying too hard, which was unsettling his game and the whole team, to a point. I then saw a player who, despite the odd decent run, chance and occasional assist, appeared to be just all over the shop; failing to beat a man, cross a ball or shoot accurately for the most part. He looked completely lost in our system in fact.

But Pep worked and worked and worked on him and, towards the VERY end, we saw improvement. He was never carrying weight but he somehow looked leaner & sharper. His runs & passing interplay improved, as did his crossing and shooting. Similar to Kyle’s season in some ways.

My rating: 7 / 10

Leroy Sane

Not as good-a-season as the last one from the German, I would sum up the-season-just-gone as being for the wild-haired-winger. He still has BAGS of talent and I disagree with those who say that he doesn’t work for the team – I just don’t see that in him at all.

The worst I would say about Leroy is when he has a bad game and looks out of sorts, he really does have a stinker and although every player of his calibre does have an off game or two, his inconsistences do seem to come a little too often at times and you just KNOW that he has it within him to quash that if he applies himself correctly.

Unless Pep has had enough of trying to mould the young winger and those rumblings are being leaked in order to drum-up outside interest; I’m still pretty amazed at the strong rumours linking Sane with a move away this summer.

My rating: 7.5 / 10

Bernardo Silva

“Grew and grew and GREW into the season as the months ticked by”. That was my opening line about the Portuguese attacking winger / midfielder in LAST season’s rating article, this time last year. This season, he jumped even higher from the growth mark he left himself at last season and simply got better and better.

So intelligent with his running and interplay. He really does ‘mix it up’ and just when you think he might run down a predicted route, he surprises you (and the defending player) more often than not. I actually think he’s better on the right wing but I can absolutely see why a lot see his long-term future in the middle with Kevin or whoever. My player of the season.

My rating: 9*

David Silva

One of my all time, favourite City players is a fact I won’t hide from anyone. But just to prove that I’m a fair, unbiased blog writer; I will state quite firmly that, for large parts of last season, our Spanish magician had some very understated games by his standards.

Furthermore, I agreed whenever it was that the decision was made to start him on the bench, as other players deserved their starts ahead of him. But you can’t keep a good brilliant man down for long and as the season came to its various, dramatic conclusions; David stepped back up a couple of notches and proved a key figure in many games. This rating might be the lowest, end-of-season mark I’ve ever given him but, still…

My rating: 7.5 / 10

Raheem Sterling

The boy has become a man. There have been many accolades directed at Raheem in the season just gone (as well as foul abuse form the stands) but that’s my tribute. He really has matured on the pitch while, many would say who know him, he’s always been just that off it.

He really has shown an incredible maturity to deal with off-field shenanigans but on it, we’ve also seen his consistency levels rise a lot too. And do you recall that other, annoying trait our hugely talented winger / attacking forward used to have? Decision making? I don’t recall seeing that in him in the season just gone. Despite tailing off a little towards the end of our campaign…

My rating: 8.5* / 10

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Now, get a piece of moulding clay. Got it? Okay, now sculpt something…anything. Finished? Now, using your fist, mash it up! Trust me. Okay…make something else not only just as pleasing on the eye but also something that will be of real use to you.

That’s what Pep Guardiola has done with the once left-sided, attacking midfielder / winger from the Ukraine. And that, ladies & gentleman, is why I also laugh whenever I hear any bitter comments coming from non-City fans about Pep being a “fake” and is only successful because he comes into clubs with established, top-class players in most positions and a cargo ship full of cash to spend on top of that.

This lad has been utterly transformed into a very accomplished left-wing back; one who I have every confidence in being just as good defensively as he looks naturally going forward – for me a perfect balance if you’re going to play someone in that ‘duel role’.

And at his tender age of 22-½, there’s time yet to improve even more those defensive qualities to ease any fears some fans might still have about ‘Kevin Junior”. And ask yourselves this question, remember the injury record & form of two players I’ve already mentioned; where would we have been this season without Oleks performing as well as he has done?

And to think, he was apparently on the verge of a £13M move to Wolves last summer!

My rating: 8 / 10

Sergio Aguero

Even if this guy doesn’t have the very best personal seasons…he’s still one hell of a frightening monster to have in your side leading the attack. And, despite the wonderful array of creative & attacking talent that he has behind him that most strikers would LOVE to have; we have to remind ourselves that he is still largely seen as the main man ‘up there’ to finish – we rarely, if ever, give him a striking partner to play with / off.

However, some would say that he has several attacking partners but, what I’m getting at is, he still has to largely plough that central, attacking path alone in many ways and it’s a route that is getting heavier with rows of thorny, defensive bushes; as teams desperately throw bodies in the way in an attempt to stifle our attacks.

That can make it difficult for our Argentine hero at times and, at times, he did appear to have quiet, frustrating games; far more that he / we would have liked. But still, huff…, 32 goals in all competitions? It seems, therefore, a little crass of me to give the following mark after that ‘goal stat’ (some fans may think it a little low) but my marks are a season-long, flowing one and the little battleship did lose a few knots of speed in the latter weeks. Still…

My rating: 8 / 10

Gabriel Jesus

Didn’t really get much of a chance in the season just gone, which was largely down to Sergio’s rare, low-injury-record season and a middle part of the season / winter time where our main striker was firing.

When Gabriel did get his chance for a few weeks; if memory serves it was mostly against lower league opposition and when he finally gained some traction, he did really well I thought. Then he had to take a back (side) seat one again until the latter weeks; where he managed a few more appearances, most notably, on occasions, as an attacking winger / wide forward, where I thought he played really quite well.

This is another player that most City fans aren’t quite sure about or, indeed, differ on a lot; with those who aren’t quite convinced highlighting a very good point about the amount of times he gets caught offside.

I think we need to keep and develop him more under Pep and with one of the best strikers in the WORLD ahead of him in a team that likes to play with just one striker; it’s little wonder he can’t gain any momentum and that, I think, needs to be factored in when judging the 22-year old.

My rating: 7.5 / 10

Team

How can I not give this after all we battled through and won / came close to winning?!

My rating: 10 / 10

Pep

Some might criticise him for what he did in the first leg of the semi-final of the Champions League that eventually saw us depart that competition by the skin of Spurs’ teeth and, fair enough to a point. Huh, but still…

My rating: 9.9 / 10

A look at player ‘ins & outs’ in my next piece. Thanks, as always, for taking the time…