How I think our players & manager performed this season just gone.
Formula
I need to emphasise that this is a very fluid system. As with other seasons, some players start well and then ‘drop-off’ whist others begin slowly and improve as the season progresses; slowly dragging up a lowly score-rating.
Others, as you might expect, are very ‘up & down’ and their scores move up & down the scale accordingly; so any late season drop-off in form might make their final rating look lower than you might expect or clearly recall, following an-otherwise very good campaign.
Additionally, I think it’s important to ‘factor in’, when looking at these score-ratings, how many matches a player has participated in. For example, a fringe player might only get 3 near-full and 2-half games against Premier League or European opposition but, in those fewer minutes, produces 7s & 8/10 performances, leaving him on a very creditable score of, say, 7.5/10. On the other hand, another player might play all but a dozen league & European matches and despite playing largely very, very well, may have a drop-off in form at some point or struggle to get back to full flow after a fairly long injury; meaning he has more opportunity to drag his score rating down over time.
I hope that makes sense…
Ederson
I’ve just read last year’s end-of-season report from me and it’s amazing just how similar it was to the season just gone. So much so, in fact, I’m largely going to ‘copy & paste’ it…and the score is the same also! Solid for the most part; a few wobbles and, therefore, the usual doubts from both City and non-City fans alike. But we also saw some superb goalkeeping from the Brazilian, particularly towards the end of our 2023-24 campaign, I thought. Yep… another typical Season from our No.1. He was on a still-decent 7 at one stage but I thought he finished the season strong, as I say; all before suffering a fractured eye socket at Spurs. 7.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 7.5/10)
Stefan Ortega
A crackin’ season for our No.2, who saw additional minutes / games over the domestic cups, as Ederson was out with two different injuries for a total of around 6 to 7 weeks (first leg and then eye socket). He hardly poot a foot, hand or leg wrong every time he put on the gloves and stepped in ‘between the sticks’. He was actually on 8.5 at one stage towards the end of the season, especially after THAT substitute, Man of the Match performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, like a lot of his teammates, the 31-year-old had a rather off day at Wembley on 25th May; so much so that it just shaved his score a little. Still, 8/10 is a brilliant score from the German; a keeper who, no doubt, believes that he’s done enough to be our No.1 and will be considering his options this summer for sure.
(Last season’s rating: 7/10)
John Stones
Injuries 2023/24 season: 9th August 2023: Muscular / Thigh – 7 or 8 weeks. 7th November 2023: Muscular / Thigh – 2 weeks+. 27th December 2023: Twisted ankle – 4 to 5 weeks. 26th March 2024: Leg rotator - 3 weeks. 20th April 2024: Lack of fitness & Muscular – 2 or 3 weeks. The result of all that? Limited game minutes and okay-ish / below [his] standard performances whenever he did get on the pitch. 6.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 8.5+/10 and my player of the season)
Josko Gvardiol
I saw so many City fans questioning just what we had purchased for the reported £77M in the first two-thirds of the season, as the Croatian international central defender produced some flaky performances in the left-wing back slot. It was clear to many that the 22-year-old had talent and those with perhaps a little more footballing insight and patience were saying that he needed time to adjust; not only to the Premier League demands but the demands and system also from his new manager. Then, there were signs over a number of games that he was starting to look both more comfortable and assured before he really blossomed; especially with the attacking side of that demanding, dual role. He was now receiving plaudits from both City fans and pundits alike…but not without some defensive errors and bad passing / decision making, I personally thought. Still, for his first season in England and under Pep, I thought he did a fine job of eventually adjusting and I’m sure he can only get better…and we’re yet to see what he can do in central defence in a City shirt! 7/10
(Last season’s rating: N/A)
Kyle Walker
A very good and consistent season from the 34-year-old – slightly more so than throughout our last campaign. Even a 1-month layoff in March / April with a hamstring injury didn’t appear to have a negative effect on him, as the right-wing back simply started from where he left off. A solid 7/10 from me, almost 7.5.
(Last season’s rating: 6.5/10)
Manuel Akanji
Another very, very good season from our bargain 2022-summer signing. And although a 0.5 drop from my season score last season might suggest a slight drop-off in performance levels, the Swiss international played far, far more minutes in the season just gone and, therefore, allows for more errors / opportunities to occasionally drop points / half-points. He saw so many minutes and full-90 games in the final third of our season, in fact, that he struck up a really good partnership with the next player on my list. I believe, unlike many of his teammates, limited time in the treatment room (only around 3 weeks with a knock in January) may have helped with that consistency and eventual ‘nailed down’ position in the starting 11. A solid 7.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Nathan Ake
Another, very consistent season from the Dutch international plus, as I’ve already mentioned, striking up a really good partnership with Manuel Akanji. With Josko Gvardiol coming in during the summer, it allowed the 29-year-old to come inside to his preferred / more natural position; not that he didn’t play consistently well also on the left of defence last season - far from it in fact. 8/10 from me and he even flirted with 8.5 on a couple of occasions. In fact, in the first round of fan voting for Player of the Season, Nathan got my vote on City’s website before they whittled it down to a final 3; so impressed, as I was, with his reliable contribution.
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Rico Lewis
Limited game minutes, as was the case last season, but always played so-very well when asked, in my opinion. He expressed a desire, during an interview in recent weeks, to play more of a midfield role rather than right-wing back. However, with Kyle Walker now just turned 34, he may want to consider saving his club / manager some pennies if he really wants to see more game-time in the near future. 7.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 7/10)
Ruben Dias
Averaging everything out from the Portuguese international, I’d say he had an okay season. He was one of just a handful of players who didn’t actually get injured enough to the point where he missed two, back-to-back games, I think I’m right in saying, but still clocked-up 10 league games where he either didn’t feature at all or played just 22 minutes or less. I often get the feeling that he plays through some kind of pain and has done ever since he broke down on two separate occasions with hamstring injuries in his second season with us (2021-22). Apparently, the just turned 27-year-old is a bit of a fitness nut; often starting earlier and finishing later in the gym than most of his teammates. He is, also apparently, known to act as a fitness mentor to some of the younger players. Whether this has always been the case with the central defender or whether it’s an attempt to stave off injuries or reoccurrences of past issues I just don’t know. However, despite his extra hours keeping fit, his lack of real pace concerns me at times. We have seen it cause us some issues, on occasions, and I just wonder if that’s why Pep chose a different defensive option on the 10-league occasions I mentioned. Whenever he has played this season, I’ve seen solid, I’ve seen brilliant and I’ve seen some really off games from Ruben. Regardless, he’s a clever and determined player and somewhat of a leading figure in the camp, which can be priceless in the dressing room when needed. 7/10
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Sergio Gomez
Not much to say, really. Had even less minutes than Rico Lewis this season and did…okay in the few minutes we saw the Spaniard. I think he claimed at least one goal and possibly an assist and I seem to recall him striking the woodwork on at least one occasion. He appears to thrive more in an attacking role than he does defending the left flank. 6.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 5.5/10)
Barnardo Silva
AKA, “Workhorse”. A skilful, versatile player with a great attitude too. Who wouldn’t want to have this fella in their side? He had a few quiet games but that’s allowed when, most of the time, your flippin’ brilliant to the point that you practically carry the side when all isn’t going too well. Whenever he leaves – and just like David Silva & Ilkay Gundogan – he’s going to be very hard to replace. 8/10
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Jack Grealish
A very quiet season from the England man with very few appearances. There appears to be a ‘background hum’ that all isn’t well with Jack away from football and Pep has recently stated that the 28-year-old has had, “Struggles”. However, his manager is backing Jack to bounce back next season…I’m just not 100% sure that will be with us; with multiple sources suggesting that a summer move is highly likely. Once destination being touted is Bayern Munich, where a certain Vincent Kompany is about to take charge as Manager (what’s THAT all about by the way?!) 6/10
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Kalvin Phillips
Just 83 Premier League minutes in total plus 66 minutes in our 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle United in the League Cup way back in September. That was basically it for the January West Ham loanee. As with many-a-match-report on the ex-Leeds man, he did just…okay’ish. 6/10
(Last season’s rating: 5.5/10)
Kevin De Bruyne
Frustrating season for our Belgium hero. He lasted just 22 minutes in our opening game until he suffered a really, really bad hamstring injury. Personally, I don’t think he was fully over past issues and should have-perhaps been better assessed and self-managed but then again, I’m in no position to call myself an expert in these matters. Result? The player himself said that the Doctor told him his badly damaged ‘hammy’ was like a damp tea towel and he was missing for almost 5 months of the season! However, when he returned, it was like he’d not been away and had been clearly well prepared this time. His performances got better and better and he was simply ‘on fire’ at one point. Then he appeared to fade slightly…and then fade once again; even being withdrawn on 57 minutes following a very subdued & restricted performance last Saturday. 7/10
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Mahamadou Susoho
I can’t recall if he played more than just one substitute appearance away at Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League back in December but I have gave the defensive midfielder a rating of 6/10
(Last season’s rating: N/A)
Mateo Kovacic
I’m going to start off by sounding a little harsh – Our 2023 summer signing is most-definitely a downgrade on Ilkay Gundogan; if we are to view the Croatian international as a direct replacement for the German, that is. Decent…and he had some very good games as well as good periods throughout the season. He also had some off-games and periods too but I would say that for his first season with us; the just-turned 30-year-old did quite well. Looks a little laboured at times, I would say, but he most-definitely has the intelligence and vision to fit into our side. I can definitely see why our manager decided to bring him in and for a decent / bargain price too. I can only see him fitting in even better in the coming seasons; proving to be a very good asset indeed. 7/10.
(Last season’s rating: N/A)
Matheus Nunes
Saw very few minutes and, for the most part, looked a little out of his depth with regards to our current standards and when compared to his midfield colleagues. The Portuguese international clearly has talent but, for now at least, what was obvious to me was that he lacks good decision making. I would both guess, and hope, that under Pep that side of his game will come with time. As for the season just gone, he gets 5.5/10 from me.
Micah Hamilton
The North Manchester-born winger made two appearances for the first team with the first one being against the same Serbian side in the same match as Susoho. Micah both started and played the full 90+ minutes and really did shine that night; with both him and fellow winger Oscar Bobb scoring, in addition to a Kalvin Phillips 85th-minute penalty in a 2-3 away win. I can’t recall Micah’s second match but it was less impactful and gives him an average over both games of 7.5/10 from me.
(Last season’s rating: N/A)
Oscar Bobb
Saw less minutes than I was hoping for but perhaps that’s to come next season. An excellent player with a great attitude and I rarely saw a bad performance or even moment from the soon-to-be 21-year-old. He saw 294 minutes over 14 leagues games – one 45 minutes, one 60 and one full-90; with the rest anywhere between 1 & 38 minutes. Some cup outings too and all of that enabled me to score the Norwegian international, 7.5/10
(Last season’s rating: N/A)
Phil Foden
After voting for Nathan in the first round, Phil got my vote for Player of the Season and he quite rightly got the Club’s Player of the Season; the Premier League’s Player of the Season AND the Football Writers Player of the Season awards! In this blog-posting about player ratings, he gets my Player of the Season award too (sorry Phil, I have no trophy to give). I think the debate is over – he is officially far better, for whatever reason, playing down the middle behind the lead man and often appears far less effective / somewhat anonymous at times when moved out towards the left or right flanks. Of course, with Kevin nearing the end of his career, Phil appears to be the one to naturally take his place at City but I just wonder if it’s worth him-working on his wider game so that he can be a little more versatile when needed…just like we’ve seen Kevin be. 8.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 7/10)
Rodri
Even when Rodders has a 7/10 game; by his standard it often still feels better than most other midfielders on the pitch. He had plenty of 7s this season, I thought, and I’m not making this up; I was screaming for him to be rested / rotated and withdrawn from already-won matches all before he publicly declared that he needed some respite. If he hadn’t already done so, perhaps it would have been better to just tell his manager that [rather than go public] but, then again, perhaps his manger should have recognised it just as some of us fans did. He didn’t get too much of a rest at all but what he did get – plus perhaps changes to his training routine, I don’t know – was enough for him to reboot; as he went on to largely provide better and better displays to move past the 7s and finish on 8/10 from me.
(Last season’s rating: 8.5/10)
Erling Haaland
A poor, poor season from the ‘big fella’, it was deemed for large parts of the season both from City fans and plenty of pundits alike. A poor, poor season where he retained the Premier League’s Golden Boot award; scoring 27 league goals, 38 in all competitions and 6 assists. If that’s a poor, poor season then bring more poor, poor seasons on I say! Oh yeah...and he was out injured for a total of 2-1/2 months with two separate injuries too. No, I get it; those goals this season have been very much ‘boom & bust’. He had a few goal drought periods in-between goal floods and he missed far too many very good chances (head the flippin’ thing when it’s at chest height for Pep’s sake!). I also get the argument that we do appear, at times, to have to adjust our otherwise fluid, flowing game to accommodate the Norwegian. One thing I’m just not having, though, is his work rate being questioned; something I have heard time and time again and, once again, from City and non-City fans alike. You try pulling that large frame around this way & that without sometimes looking a little laboured, FFS! He’s not built like Aguero or either of the Silvas. Both he & his manager & coaches may well sit down in the summer break and assess how the team – and the player himself – can work perhaps a little differently to get even MORE out of the soon-to-be 24-year-old and although he “only” gets 6.5/10 from me; it’s with huge recognition of the massive contribution he made over the whole season. Would anyone else have chipped in with the full 38 goals and 6 assists had he not been there? No-one else from any other club could do that this season…
(Last season’s rating: 8/10)
Julian Alvarez
UP, down, UP, down, brief up…and then slide down again. There ya go - Julain’s season summed up in just eleven words. Started the season in really good form, I thought, with 4 goals and 5 assists in his first 9 leagues games. But there were dry spells too – one period where he was getting lots of minutes / almost full games and didn’t score in 8 of ‘em and, similarly, a period of 11 outings without finding the net. Like his fellow striker, Erling; Julian too was misfiring all over the chuffin’ place throughout the season! 2,644 minutes of league football almost doubles that of his previous season; with just 2 games missed and 3 not worth mentioning he played so few minutes. The rest he played all or very large parts of and his return was 11 goals and the same number of assists (19 goals & 13 assists in total in all comps). Decent – and I like him a lot – but not quite as productive as he could have been this season given the game-time he received. 6.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 7/10)
Pep Guardiola
After a good start to the season with 6 league wins, we then went really ‘off colour’ for a time. Defeats, some wins and a number of draws were all followed by a 3-match period in December where we lost, won and then drew, which really summed up our league form at that moment in time. Even when we were winning, a lot of City fans recognised that we weren’t doing it easily and nor was it ‘easy on the eye’.
Apart from getting quickly dumped out of the League Cup, all the other cup performances & results were going consistently very well indeed!
We were lagging behind both Arsenal & Liverpool in the league and had a number of clubs closely ‘on our tail’ as well; so for Pep to turn all that around and chase down both of those sides to win the title for a record-breaking 4th season in a row is truly ‘genius status’…not that he wasn’t already firmly embedded in that standing, you understand.
In that time, he won us the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup; he got us to the quarter-final of the Champions League, where we only lost out on penalties, and somehow…SOMEHOW got us to the F.A.Cup final, despite stupid fixture scheduling.
Huhhhh…I don’t even want to do this but I’m taking just 0.5 from the man just because of the fact that I think he had a hand in us losing to Manyoo in the F.A. Cup final. He said that of himself after the match too, so I don’t feel too bad about it.
Too many of our players just didn’t show or step up when needed that day but I didn’t understand at the time why he didn’t start with Akanji alongside Nathan [for all the reasons I’ve mentioned above] nor why it took him so long to change it; when it was clear & obvious that we weren’t get through them down the middle and needed to, instead, try ‘n’ get around ‘em down the flanks. Huge credit to them and their tactics on the day, though; at least one Manyoo fan said to me that they’ve not seen their side play that well and for so-long-a-period in a game all flippin’ season! Typical…
So, as for Mr Guardiola’s rating…9.5/10
(Last season’s rating: 10/10)
Thank you for taking the time to read – it’s always a long piece this one.
Coming up soon’ish and likely in this order:
- My season predictions results
- Possibly a piece on areas of the team I think we need to strengthen and whether I think we will or not
- A blog-postings on our new kits, once all-3 have been released.
- A summer ‘ins & outs’ piece, which I can’t release until the summer transfer window ends and that's after our Community Shield match on Saturday 10th August and following, also, the commencement of the season on Friday 17th August.
I’m off on holiday now for some much-needed sunshine!
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