Five Best Manchester City Players So Far This Season
2022/23 hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. With the acquisition of Erling Haaland, they looked set to dominate the division – but it hasn’t quite worked out that way.
Regardless, it hasn’t been a complete disaster – the Citizens will almost definitely finish in the top four and could still win the Premier League, Champions League and/or the FA Cup.
But who have been City’s top performers during this relatively underwhelming campaign?
Phil Foden
At 22 years of age, Phil Foden is starting to reach his footballing maturity. He’s getting better all the time – so far this season, he’s got nine goals and four assists to his name.
One of the best dribblers in the world, Foden loves to drive forward and take players on. He’s very difficult to play against, whether he’s being deployed centrally or out on the left wing.
He already has 22 England caps, as well as three international goals for the Three Lions. Could he be the man to lead Manchester City and England to unprecedented glory?
Riyad Mahrez
At 32, Riyad Mahrez is reaching the end of his theoretical prime. However, if this season is the last time we’ll see the Algerian at his best, he’s certainly ready to go out with a bang.
So far, Mahrez has scored 11 goals and racked up five assists in all competitions this year. He’s a complete winger who can both score and create goals with regularity.
He’s also been a prolific goalscorer for his native Algeria – he’s netted on 26 occasions across 76 caps for the Desert Warriors.
Rodri
Perhaps the greatest defensive midfielder in the world, Rodri is the spiritual successor to Sergio Busquets, who Guardiola mentored whilst at Barcelona.
A fantastic passer with equally impressive defensive skills, Rodri is exactly the kind of player you want in front of your centre halves.
He’s currently locked in a battle with Manchester United’s Casemiro for the title of best defensive midfielder in the Premier League. Who do you think is the better player?
Erling Haaland
Premier League managers, players and fans were terrified when Erling Haaland joined England’s top flight – and they had good reason to be.
With brilliant movement, electric pace and a strong frame, Haaland would be deadly enough with just these three attributes. Add his composed finishing to the mix and you have all the ingredients you need to create the best striker in world football.
Haaland has been shattering records ever since he joined Manchester City. He’s already scored four hattricks – more than Didier Drogba, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo – and he’s only nine goals away from breaking the record of Premier League goals scored in a single season.
Kevin De Bruyne
Perhaps the greatest midfielder in Premier League history, ex Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne really does have it all. Bundles of energy, crisp passing and an eye for goal – words cannot do the Belgian magician justice.
De Bruyne has more assists than any other Manchester City player this season, with 17 across 31 games. On top of this, he’s also scored four goals. Can you believe Chelsea let him go when they did?
De Bruyne will be remembered for years as one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League. There’s one notable gap in his personal trophy cabinet – the Champions League. Can he win the big one before he retires?