TalkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist says Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Liverpool winger Mo Salah are probably the only players from other Premier League teams who would get into Manchester City’s starting lineup.

While he also made a case for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham’s Son-Heung-min, McCoist believes that just “two or three” would make Pep Guardiola’s first eleven:

“Salah, right, [Mohamed] Salah gets in. I mean I love Foden, but Salah gets into the side. I think Declan Rice is getting in, when Rodri doesn’t play last night Declan Rice gets in, and I don’t think there would be an awful lot between Rodri and Declan Rice, to be honest with you, so there’s a potential for Rice.”

“[Virgil] Van Dijk may be at the back, not sure, not sure that he gets in at the back. Son, up front, I like Son but maybe not really. [Bukayo] Saka, he’s not getting in before Salah, so you’re maybe looking at two or three.”

City fans may take issue with McCoist’s picks

Supporters will dispute McCoist’s claim that Declan Rice is at the same level as Rodri. The Spanish international has been outstanding over the last few years, with plenty believing him to be the best holding midfielder in the world.

No one will argue with the fact that Rice is a great player but you won’t get many saying that they would want the Arsenal star above Rodri.

With Mohamed Salah, there will be more who will begrudgingly admit that the Egyptian would improve City’s eleven, considering his outstanding goal record since moving to Liverpool back in 2017.

City’s squad strength is demonstrated by their success

After winning 5 Premier League titles in 6 seasons, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone that City are beyond compare in most departments.

Some may question their squad depth, though, and that is something that will be put to the test as we head towards a very intense fixture schedule over the festive period.