'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Last season, Manchester City left the defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, in the dust to reclaim their position at the top of the English top-flight table. They also played in the Champions League final and were only marginally bested by Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side.
The Sky Blues have one of the most stacked rosters in Europe and are continuing to add more to the mix. Today, however, we are only focusing on the players who are officially a part of the Manchester City family - players who are certain to play a part in the 2021-22 campaign.
Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at the five players Manchester City will count on this season.
#5 Ruben Dias - Defender
Manchester City have always had a knack for luring in some of the best potential in the business, and Ruben Dias’ season move from Benfica last summer certainly fits the bill. The reigning Premier League champions fielded the Portugal defender 31 times in the league last season and will need him to put his best foot forward in the upcoming campaign as well.
After enjoying a title-winning campaign with Manchester City, Ruben Dias went into Euro 2020 full of confidence, aiming to help Portugal go deep into the business end of the competition. Unfortunately, he failed to carry over his club form to the natural side and could not save his country from an early elimination.
In the 2021-22 campaign, he will aim to regain his confidence, produce the performances that won him the “Premier League Player of the Season” title. He must help his club fight for it all and hopefully propel them to land the elusive Champions League trophy.
#4 Ilkay Gundogan — Midfielder
When we talk about the most in-form and consistent midfielders of recent times, we very rarely mention Manchester City's number 8, Ilkay Gundogan. He has been a cornerstone for Pep Guardiola since making the move from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, and will once again be the man to be counted on for the upcoming season.
The former Dortmund man has won pretty much everything there is to win at the blue side of Manchester - sans the Champions League - and is still hungrier than ever to get more silverware in the Manchester City trophy cabinet. The versatile midfielder can play as a central midfielder, a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder, and even a left midfielder when necessary, giving City an abundance of options in terms of formation.
The 30-year-old scored 16 goals across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign, and is expected to play a starring role this season as well.
#3 Phil Foden - Forward
The Under-17 World Cup sensation, Phil Foden, has turned out to be a prized asset for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. Rising through the ranks of the Manchester club, Foden is now a mainstay and is likely to retain his position for the foreseeable future.
The England international was also present in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 and showed promise in the opening round of fixtures. However, a drop of intensity and creativity did him no favors, as he quickly found himself out of the starting XI. This season, he must prove his mettle once again in club colors and hopefully give Southgate something to think about for the 2022 World Cup.
Manchester City will hope to see the PFA Young Player of the Year produces his best form in front of goal, as they need more consistent goalscorers in major tournaments. Phoden’s electric acceleration and sense of space could come in handy in Europe, hopefully propelling City to their second Champions League final in as many years.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne - Midfielder
Any discussion of modern day greats is incomplete without Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne. From being an underused substitute at Chelsea to one of the most revered central midfielders in this decade, De Bruyne has certainly come a long way.
The Belgian international has been integral to Manchester City’s record breaking success under Pep Guardiola. The Belgian will continue to be one of the first names on the team sheet when he is physically fit.
The former Wolfsburg man missed eight Premier League matches with three instances of muscle and hamstring injuries. He was also forced off in the Champions League final against Chelsea after just an hour of play.
With Sergio Aguero gone and Fernandinho nearing the twilight of his career, Manchester City could do with a capable leader who can lead by example. And De Bruyne, who accounted for 10 goals and 18 assists in all competitions, is certainly one of the most capable men out there.
#1 Gabriel Jesus - Forward
When Manchester City broke the bank to sign Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in 2017, the young Brazilian was touted to become Sergio Aguero’s worthy successor at the club. He had the talent, age on his side, and a role model to learn from. Unfortunately, he has not yet been able to live up to the billing.
With Aguero gone, Manchester City were expected to move for Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane. However, the move seems to have stagnated, with both parties focusing on other prospects. The absence of another natural centre-forward is a promising proposition for Gabriel Jesus, and he must make his chances count.
Last season, Manchester City played without a natural centre-forward in most of their important matches, and that allowed them to play one game fewer than the maximum possible fixtures. Adding an in-form forward would give City an extra dimension in the final-third of the pitch. And Jesus, who scored 14 goals last season, has the potential to cast himself in that prestigious role.
