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#3 Rodri
Rodri has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders with Manchester City. He once again showed his caliber against West Ham. What separates Rodri from his peers is his knack for having an impact on the attack, making him a complete package in midfield.
Rodri operated primarily as a defensive screen but was crucial in linking up the defense with the attack. The Spaniard was flawless with his passing and tackles which did not let West Ham dictate the tempo in midfield. In tough conditions at the Etihad, he was absolutely spot on with everything he did on the pitch.
Rodri had 96% passing accuracy, winning seven duels out of eight and kept initiating attacks with his play. The midfielder is yet to make a name for being considered the absolute best. However, if continues to play like he did against West Ham, he will surely be the best in the business.
#2 Joao Cancelo
One of the best full-backs in the world, it is hard to keep Joao Cancelo out whenever Manchester City perform well. Following his rise as a right-back, Cancelo has shown equal dominance on the left and made the left-flank his own.
Cancelo had the job of keeping Pablo Fornals and Ben Johnson quiet. The Portuguese did exactly that and added more value to the attack with his overlaps and crosses. He struggled a few times against Fornals but won the individual battle by dominating the left-wing for the majority of the match.
Cancelo was formidable in both defense and attack throughout the game. He consistently provided Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling with more space while keeping a lid on the West Ham wingers.
#1 Ilkay Gundogan
It was difficult to control the tempo of the match for both teams during heavy snowfall. But City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was up to the task against West Ham. The Manchester City captain was the creative hub for his side, constantly breaking the lines of the opposition's defense.
Gundogan was solid with his passing, taking up dangerous positions during attacks and constantly troubling West Ham. The German scored the opener for Manchester City with a simple tap-in. He eventually assisted Fernandinho for City's second goal of the game.
Gundogan's 97% passing accuracy was the highest in the game. This shows the midfielder's ability to dictate the tempo of the match. He was easily the best player on the pitch, taking our #1 spot for his exploits.
