Manchester City broke a number of records last season in their colossal title-winning campaign. Pep Guardiola‘s side played scintillating football which garnered a lot of attention from the world. Their whole squad had been nothing short of perfect, as they won the league with a record 100 points; it was Manchester City’s best season ever. Pep has decided not to delve in early in the transfer market this summer but has been linked with a couple of big money moves. Let’s take a look at a possible Manchester City side for next season if things go their way.
Thanking some very special #mancity fans around the world for another year of amazing support!
We’re #NothingWithoutYou 💙 pic.twitter.com/FH5VXLqlDD
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 2, 2018
GK: Ederson Moraes
Ederson Moraes now holds the record for the longest football drop kick. pic.twitter.com/m97C0vpYBM
— We Love Man City FC (@WeLoveManCityFC) May 10, 2018
Ederson has been absolutely brilliant since making his switch to the Etihad. The 24-year old stopper was credited with 16 clean sheets, second to only Golden Glove recipient, David De Gea and also conceded the least amount of goals. His sweeper keeper style has been detrimental to Manchester City’s success last season and he’s bound to keep the no.1 spot all to himself.
RB: Kyle Walker
Man City paid £50m for Kyle Walker and turned him into one of the best wing backs/right backs in the world. England play him as one of 3 centre backs. Why?
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) June 2, 2018
Another player who turned out to be immensely successful under Pep, as Walker lifted his first Premier League trophy after making a switch from White Hart Lane this season. He played 32 matches, making 6 assists, 26 dribbles, 31 clearances, 29 interceptions and completed 2,073 passes and 30 key passes. The 28-year old England international is highly unlikely to lose his place in the team.
CB: Nicolás Otamendi
CB: Nicolás Otamendi
Manchester City FC / 🇦🇷
Otamendi’s improvement under Pep Guardiola has been nothing short of sensational. A key part of City’s solid back four, he also helped offensively with 4 goals scored. Argentina will need him to be as sharp as ever in Russia. pic.twitter.com/Nl4aivXHSt— FootBL EN (@footbl_en) May 30, 2018
Otamendi played 3 seasons for the club and this one was his finest. The 30-year old defender made 34 appearances and scored 4 goals on four separate occasions. The Argentinean boasted impressive stats such as 2,825 passes, 43 tackles, 122 clearances and 48 interceptions.
CB: John Stones
‘John Stones is that good you could play him in midfield’@DionDublinsDube says the #MCFC centre-back is realising that he needs to be a defender first and a footballer second for #England.
📻: https://t.co/pgP10j1Co5 pic.twitter.com/9RFvePkRjH
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) May 30, 2018
While Stones could just play in 18 matches this season, he still had a good run of performances for the club. The 24-year old completed 1,194 passes, 11 tackles, 41 clearances and 19 interceptions. He seems like the best choice for Pep to partner with Otamendi next season, barely cut above Laporte and Kompany.
LB: Benjamin Mendy
Never skipped a leg day 👀💪🏾 #BenIsBack pic.twitter.com/XXVk66bemi
— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) May 29, 2018
One of the most anticipated signings of the Premier League, young Benjamin Mendy had the world at his feet as everyone expected the 23-year old Frenchman to light up the Premier League just like he did Ligue 1. That was not to be due to the unfortunate season-ending injury he suffered early in the season. While Delph had more than made up for his loss, Mendy is fit again and going to the World Cup where he is likely to claim his spot on the team back.
CDM: Jorginho
🙅♂️🤔 JORGINHO AT CITY? 🙅♂️🤔
He’s been described as Andrea Pirlo Mk II, but how would Napoli midfielder Jorginho fit in at Manchester City?
We take a look at the situation here 👉 https://t.co/JO11QO0F9M pic.twitter.com/577H6arPQA
— Sky Sports PL (@SkySportsPL) May 31, 2018
While Fernandinho was undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the league last season, he is 33 going on 34 and will find it difficult to produce similar results next season, especially as it is the toughest league in the world. Pep is reportedly close to signing Napoli superstar Jorginho (for about £50m) who would be the successor to Manchester City stalwart, Yaya Toure who left at the end of the season.
CM: David Silva
🗞 Heaps of praise in this morning’s media round-up! #mancity
🧙♂️ David Silva’s slick skills
🗣 Fernandinho’s compliment from Pep
🏆🏆 City seal two awards at #FWA2018https://t.co/cipZctuGyN— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 2, 2018
Fan favorite midfield maestro David Silva had one of his best seasons yet scoring 9 goals and assisting 11 in his 29 appearances. The 32-year old Premier League veteran was apparently going through some personal problems but he overcame them proving to be a vital asset in City’s campaign last season. The Spanish genius is bound to keep his place in Pep’s side next season.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has been named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season. pic.twitter.com/a5GzobI2CU
— City Watch (@City_Watch) May 27, 2018
The best player in City’s 100-point campaign last season was none other than Premier League Play-maker of the Year, Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian superstar featured in 37 games scoring 8 goals and holding a league-high record of 16 assists and was the key to City’s successful campaign this season. De Bruyne is set to be the most important player for next season for City.
LW: Raheem Sterling
Train how you intend, to play! #GodsPlan pic.twitter.com/u6yJvQudcu
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) June 1, 2018
Raheem Sterling was another major weapon in City’s arsenal. With 18 goals and 11 assists, the 23-year old winger had his most productive season yet and was among the few elite players to reach double figures in both goals and assists. The England international is one player who is set to keep his place in City’s side next season.
RW: Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez proved his worth as a player once again after Leicester had an average season but he still turned up with 12 goals and 10 assists to join the few players to reach double figures in goals and assists. The Algerian is linked with a £75m move to the Etihad and he will be the prime candidate to break into the first team, likely at the expense of 22-year old youngster Leroy Sane.
CF: Sergio Agüero
Happy birthday, Sergio Aguero! 🎉
667 career appearances ✅
360 goals ⚽
Premier League x 3 🏆 🏆 🏆
League Cup x 3 🏆 🏆 🏆
Europa League 🏆
Super Cup 🏆
Premier League Golden Boot 🏆One of the greatest ever Premier League strikers! 👏 pic.twitter.com/YwbAWhIzxY
— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) June 2, 2018
One of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League or rather the world has ever seen had yet another productive season with 21 goals and 6 assists in just 25 matches. Year after year Sergio Agüero proves himself as one of the best in the world without even a hint of slowing down. Even with young Jesus coming in form, Agüero is another player who will be difficult to replace.