Despite their woes of being knocked out of the Champions League and suffering defeat in the FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola‘s title-winning machine continued to show us why they are the team to beat in the Premier League.
A minor blip between November and December saw some ask questions over whether Man City were running out of steam following their epic Treble win in 2023.
But they once again demonstrated how important the second half of the season is. Guardiola’s side have a tenacity to drive right to the very end and as we’ve seen so often before, they would capitalise on the mistakes of both Liverpool and Arsenal to clinch their fourth league title.
As Guardiola enters what could be his final year at the club, there is no doubt he’ll be hungry to clinch more silverware next season and kick on from what’s been an impressive 2023-24 campaign.
Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan delivers his verdict on every player of Man City’s squad to feature five times or more in the top-flight this season.
Manchester City clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title earlier this month
But Pep Guardiola (pictured) will no doubt be hungry to win even more silverware next season, in what could be his final year at the club
Ederson – 8
Rotten luck with injuries this season, coming off in no fewer than four matches, which must be an unprecedented number for a goalkeeper.
Superb with his feet once again, while Ederson’s shot-stopping is often overlooked. Only David Raya has a better goals against per 90 minutes than the Brazilian, who actually has a better shot save percentage than the Arsenal stopper.
Stefan Ortega – 7.5
Has to be a lower mark than Ederson by virtue of the FA Cup final mistake and general number of games played but Ortega has been crucial for City this season. In the equivalent of seven league games, has conceded two fewer goals than would be expected. Big decisions to make on the futures of both goalkeepers in the coming weeks.
Kyle Walker – 8
The veteran has led from the front this year after being awarded the captaincy, doing a lot of unseen work behind the scenes. Form fluctuated in the first few months but Walker recaptured his best after Christmas.
Stefan Ortega (right) stepped up to replace Ederson (left) after his rotten luck with injuries
Kyle Walker (pictured) has led from the front this year after being awarded the captaincy
Ruben Dias (pictured) has taken his leadership role of the group seriously and is a big voice in the dressing room
Ruben Dias – 8
Stands alone with the amount of shots he has thrown himself in front of, with 21 in all competitions seven ahead of anybody else. Takes his role in the leadership group seriously and is a booming voice inside the dressing room.
John Stones – 7
Injuries have been a constant problem for Stones, who has not been able to earn a place back in Pep Guardiola’s preferred XI given the form of others in an area of the squad where City are stacked. Performed well whenever called upon. Incredibly has only started with Dias 12 times.
Nathan Ake – 9
Just becomes more and more important every year – evidenced by the quality of defender he regularly keeps out of the team. Almost flawless once again, predominantly at centre half rather than out on the left.
John Stones (pictured) has incredibly only started with Dias 12 times due to a string of injuries
Nathan Ake (left) was almost flawless once again this season when playing at centre half
Josko Gvardiol (centre) endured a tough start but has benefitted from a tactical switch
Josko Gvardiol – 8
Tough start after his £77million switch from RB Leipzig and struggled to come to terms with the Premier League. Guardiola’s tactical switch, pushing Gvardiol higher up the left, has ignited something though and his form over the last three months has been top class. Habit for scoring goals, too. Mistake at Wembley loses him half a point.
Manuel Akanji – 9
The defender of City’s fourth straight title. Seemed to make only one blemish, the slip in allowing Heung-min Son through for that moment at Tottenham this month. Other than that, operates in cruise control defensively and is improving on the ball.
Rico Lewis – 6.5
A learning experience for Lewis, whose performance in victory at Crystal Palace indicated that he probably deserved more appearances than granted to him. The youngster will want to kick on next year and needs minutes.
Sergio Gomez – 6
A bit-part again, making only four starts across all competitions. Looks at home in advanced positions, less so in the back line.
Despite his blip against Tottenham Manuel Akanji (pictured) operates in cruise control defensively and is improving on the ball
This season was a learning experience for Rico Lewis (centre), whose performance in City’s victory at Crystal Palace indicated that he probably deserved more appearances
Sergio Gomez (left) made only four starts across all competitions. He looks at home in advanced positions but less so in the back line
Rodri – 10
The best holding midfielder in world football right now – and has been for some time. Chips in with such important goals as well as the dirty stuff. A statistic to illustrate his quality: the 204 ‘shot creating actions’ (either of the two bits of play leading to an effort) recorded by Rodri is 22 ahead of the next City player, Phil Foden.
Mateo Kovacic – 8
Potentially deserves a slightly higher mark for the influence during the run-in. Found his home next to Rodri and progresses the ball with urgency, while also aware of when Guardiola expects matches to slow down. Pass completion of 93.7 per cent is higher than everybody bar Dias.
Kalvin Phillips – 4
Sent out on loan to West Ham in January. Transfer from Leeds has not worked and Phillips will move on in the summer if there are takers.
Kevin De Bruyne – 9
Amazing to think he missed almost six months of the campaign after hamstring surgery. Would have obliterated the competition in the race for most assists had he been fit. He had 18 assists in 19 starts across all competitions (10 in the league) and produces moments of genius from nothing.
Rodri (pictured) is the best holding midfielder in world football – and has been for some time
Mateo Kovacic (pictured) has found his home next to Rodri. His pass completion of 93.7 per cent is higher than everybody bar Dias
Kalvin Phillips (pictured) was sent out on loan to West Ham in January and his transfer from Leeds has just not worked
Kevin De Bruyne (pictured) would have been the league’s top assist-maker had he been fit
Matheus Nunes – 6.5
Just 151 minutes since the March international break. Nunes will want to impose himself on this squad more in the second year. Jury remains out but the first season at City and under Guardiola is often a tough one.
Phil Foden – 10
Foden has arrived on the world stage as a superstar. Aside from anything else, his goal output has dragged City to success, because Erling Haaland couldn’t do it all himself. Nineteen in the league, 26 in all competitions. Scoring at better than a goal a game. And doesn’t take penalties. Ridiculous numbers.
Bernardo Silva – 8
Slightly quieter year yet still crucial to the way in which Guardiola wants to play. Done his bit for the team off the right-hand side. Knits City together and helps engineer a tempo in which the team can thrive. Will be a huge miss when he eventually leaves.
Oscar Bobb – 7
A very encouraging debut season for the young Norwegian. Always seems comfortable in his surroundings, silk with ball at his feet, and will be remembered for that stoppage-time winner at Newcastle United in January.
Jack Grealish – 7
In and out, admitting recently that he ‘owes’ Guardiola. Not how he would’ve wanted to kick on after the Treble. Has looked sharp when he’s featured but that hasn’t been enough. Which is a shame, because a firing Grealish significantly improves City.
The jury remains out on Matheus Nunes (pictured) and he will hope to improve going forward next season
Oscar Bobb (front) enjoyed a very encouraging debut Premier League season for Man City
Bernardo Silva (pictured) had a slightly quieter season but always seems comfortable in his surroundings
Jack Grealish (left) was in and out of Man City’s side all season. He has looked sharp when fit but it has not been enough
Jeremy Doku – 8
Lightning start, faded in the middle, and roared back in the final weeks. That is what to expect from a livewire winger who is offering City something completely different to their usual skillset. Exciting and will only get better. Already seems more match intelligent.
Julian Alvarez – 7.5
Nobody has featured in more matches than Alvarez’s 54, which shows the trust placed in him by Guardiola. Twenty-eight goals and assists in all competitions is not a bad return, and he filled in as a No 10 when De Bruyne was out.
Jeremy Doku (pictured) proved he is an exciting talent and will only get better next season
Julian Alvarez (pictured) returned 28 goals and assists in all competitions – an impressive haul
Erling Haaland (pictured) finished as the golden boot winner and is still scoring relentlessly
Erling Haaland – 9
Could have been a perfect 10 had he not missed a few fairly glaring chances – most notably against Manchester United in the league.
Still finished as the golden boot winner, still scoring relentlessly, and City don’t win what they win without him. Build-up play has improved too.