City's homegrown hero has had the best campaign of his career after being on the fringes of the treble-winning team 12 months ago
English football has never quite seen a team like Manchester City. That will be factually true if Pep Guardiola's side go on to win a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. And despite the magnitude of that achievement, many pundits and observers predicted it at the start of the season and throughout it.
This has been a remarkably competitive title contest, which was a three-horse race until Liverpool dropped out of the running in late April, but there was always the sense that City were going to win it. And that is down to their insatiable winning mentality which Pep Guardiola has fostered, as well as their insanely-talented squad.
City have needed that squad this season, too, with key players Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland among those who have missed chunks of the campaign through injury. The race for the club's Player of the Season award, then, promises to be a close run thing.
GOAL has rated and ranked every Man City player's performance from another incredible campaign, as Guardiola's side prepare for yet another title party…
Getty21Sergio Gomez (3/10) ↔️
The Spaniard had a difficult first season with City and was one of few negatives in their treble-winning campaign. He hasn't improved much in his second season, either, and has looked on a lower level to the rest of his team-mates.
An assist for Haaland against Fulham has been his only notable contribution of a campaign in which he has failed to start a single Premier League game and made just a handful of substitutes' appearances. He will be lucky to still be a part of the squad next season.
AdvertisementGetty20Matheus Nunes (4/10) ⬇️
The Portuguese was a bit of a surprise signing for City after an underwhelming season with Wolves, but Guardiola has long been a fan, even if he has since admitted he was exaggerating a bit when he called him "one of the best players in the world".
Nunes has featured very little considering his £53m ($66m) transfer fee, starting just 13 games in all competitions. He has not looked out of place when he has played, but he will need to improve considerably to avoid being seen as another Kalvin Phillips.
Getty Images19Stefan Ortega (5/10) ⬆️
Ortega has remained second-choice behind Ederson, but the Brazilian's injury in March gave him a few moments in the spotlight, which he coped with well. He has often looked to be a better shot-stopper than his team-mate, although his kicking is not as smooth as that of City's No.1.
The German will start the FA Cup final and will then have to decide whether or not to continue as a back-up at City or go elsewhere in search of regular football.
Getty Images18Rico Lewis (5/10) ⬇️
Despite repeatedly raving about the teenager, Guardiola still seems wary of playing Lewis too often, handing him only eight Premier League starts, fewer than in his breakthrough campaign.
The versatile midfielder has continued to impress when called upon and he has the patience to work his way into the team slowly but surely. Which is just as well, because he might have expected to have gotten more opportunities.
