Manchester City 2017-18 player ratings: how the title winners stack up

The champions have had some exceptional performers – Ederson, Fernandinho, Sané and Sterling stand out – but Sergio Agüero and Kevin De Bruyne share top honours

Goalkeepers

Ederson 9/10 A flawless debut season in English football – a stark contrast to Claudio Bravo’s disastrous 2016-17 campaign.

Claudio Bravo 5/10 In the shadows. His sole league appearance came as a substitute when Ederson was injured in the 5-0 win against Liverpool.

Defenders

Kyle Walker 8/10 Integral to City’s improvement under Guardiola. Would earn a higher mark if he had marauded more along his flank.

Danilo 7/10 The Brazilian proved a fine back-up across the defence. His ability to play defensive midfield was a useful option, too.

Vincent Kompany 8/10 Timed a run of fitness to become a regular at the business end of the season – and remains the best central defender at the club.

Nicolás Otamendi 7/10 A Guardiola favourite who has raised his game but he remains vulnerable to pace and the high ball: not ideal for a centre-back.

John Stones 6/10 Is surely more talented than Otamendi but lost his regular berth due to being error-prone, slipping down to fourth choice.

Aymeric Laporte 6/10 The Frenchman joined in January and has so far looked the part, his physical presence strengthening the rearguard.

Fabian Delph 7/10 An example of the importance Guardiola puts on versatility: the midfielder has performed at left-back with ease.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 7/10 The 21-year-old Ukrainian, a midfielder for most of his nascent career, has been another eye‑catching option at left-back.

Benjamin Mendy 6/10 The left-back had his season cruelly truncated by a serious knee injury in September and is only now nearing fitness again.

Eliaquim Mangala 6/10 The previously maligned Frenchman, loaned to Everton in January, impressed when he did play, to Guardiola’s credit.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne 10/10 A magnificent footballer – deserves full marks because in virtually every league match he has been simply formidable.

David Silva 9/10 Yet again the Spaniard added guile and sorcery to City’s play, illustrating what a top‑class proposition he remains at 32.

Fernandinho 9/10 Almost monotonous in his excellence. City are aiming to buy a successor this summer; it will be hard to match his quality.

Ilkay Gündoğan 8/10 A princely schemer who would walk into virtually any other European side. Has excelled when given the opportunity .

Leroy Sané 9/10 Proved the doubters wrong to become one of City’s blue‑riband performers. Seriously fast, with plenty of end product.

Raheem Sterling 9/10 The season of his career, delivering goals on top of creativity. As with Sané, appears transformed under Guardiola.

Bernardo Silva 7/10 The quality of City’s attacking forces is summed up by the Portuguese being unable to pin down a starting place.

Yaya Touré 5/10 Has hardly featured in his swan‑song season for the club – but what better way to exit than with another league title?

Phil Foden 6/10 What an achievement it was for the 17-year-old to force his way into this side. The fact that he is a local boy makes it extra special.

Brahim Díaz 5/10 A fringe player but the 18-year-old Spaniard has appeared accomplished in the few minutes allowed him.

Strikers

Sergio Agüero 10/10 A haul of over 20 league goals, despite not enjoying Guardiola’s unqualified confidence, shows how lethal the 29-year-old is.

Gabriel Jesus 6/10 Still Guardiola’s favourite No 9 despite another injury-blighted campaign. Repaid his faith with some important league goals.

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