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#2 Rodri
The City squad is blessed with such an abundance of talent that it is easy to argue that no player is indispensable, with every player having a more than capable replacement. And the proof of this lies in the fact that the otherwise unplayable Kevin de Bruyne was out for most of the 2018/2019 season, but in his absence, City thrived, with Bernardo Silva rising to take the mantle.
However, one exception to this rule is unarguably Fernandinho, as despite not getting as many reviews as his more attacking minded teammates, the Brazilian international has gone on to establish himself as arguably the most important player in Guardiola's winning machine.
While lacking the flair and technique of his teammates, the 33-year-old makes up for this with an uncanny positional sense, with his tackling and reading of the game giving his teammates the impetus to attack with reckless abandon knowing that the former Shakhtar man would be there to cover up their tracks.
If still in doubt over how important Fernandinho is to City, it is pertinent to note that City lost just six times from 76 Premier League matches across the last two seasons and crucially, Fernandinho was absent in five of those six, as Guardiola's men struggled to achieve the same balance in the side without him, with John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan failing to offer the same level of protection.
In many ways, Fernandinho is similar to another player whose importance to his team's success is not immediately noticeable, as Sergio Busquets occupied the same role and position during Pep's all-conquering Barcelona years of 2008-2012.
Given his age, it is imperative that City seeks a replacement for the Brazilian international and speculations have emerged that the club has turned its attention to Spanish international Rodri.
The 22-year-old rejoined Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2018 after three seasons with Villareal and immediately became a mainstay in Simeone's side, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.
At 6 ft 3', Rodri offers an imposing presence in the middle of the park, while his marking and technique on the ball mean he could likely succeed at The Etihad and the fact that he is just 22 years could see him thrive as Fernandinho's long-term successor for the next decade. They might, however, have to battle Inter Milan for his signature.
