We at mancity.com decided to put forward a case for the player we believe has stood out from the crowd so far.
Disagree? Tweet @ManCity with your thoughts!
David Clayton – David Silva
Watching City’s play-maker back to his very best has been one of the highlights of the season so far.
After an injury-plagued 2015/16 campaign, some wondered whether Silva would ever recapture the kind of form he’d shown with such consistency over the past six years or so – but if there was one player in sky blue whose credit was fit to bursting with City fans, it is the man some call ‘El Mago’ – The Magician.
To see him gliding around the pitch, expertly conducting the play is a genuine pleasure. Everything seems so effortless for him – but he’s back to his very best and as part of a three-man support to Sergio Aguero it’s no coincidence that he’s been in all of Pep Guardiola’s strongest starting XI’s this season. If Silva plays well, so do City.
Could he be on his way to his best season yet? Don’t bet against it.
Caroline Oatway – Fernandinho
At the beginning of October, Pep Guardiola stated City would certainly win the title – if they had three Fernandinhos.
Versatile, tireless, intelligent and dedicated - not to mention down to earth – the Brazilian became an instant favourite with the Blue faithful in his first season, with consistently impressive performances the key.
Under the leadership of Guardiola, Ferna has flourished. He’s featured in the majority of games and he’s been employed in several different positions, passing each test with flying colours.
Comfortable with covering the defensive aspect of the game, he allows others to embark on more creative exploits, and has even chipped in with a couple of goals himself.
Jack Mumford – Raheem Sterling
Described as a ‘crack’ player – a Spanish expression for a star – by Manuel Pellegrini when he signed, Raheem Sterling has taken on a new level of responsibility in this year’s City side.
August’s Premier League Player of the Month has maintained his blistering early season form and continues to be a threat on either wing as his current haul of five goals and seven assists suggests.
His performances in both ties against Barcelona, when he had Lucas Digne on the ropes and provided an essential outlet for the team, demonstrate that the England winger has the mentality and skill set for the big occasion.
With the speed the 21-year-old has adapted to Guardiola’s demands both on and off pitch, Sterling’s progress during the Catalan coach’s era at the club promises to be well worth keeping an eye on.
Rob Pollard - Kevin De Bruyne
It’s hard to believe Kevin De Bruyne was cast aside so easily by Chelsea back in 2014. His rise since then has been rapid – and City have a player in their midst who could become one of the finest of his generation.
He cost a club-record £54 million when he joined last summer. Any question marks over the size of the fee soon evaporated as De Bruyne adapted effortlessly. He’s now one of the stars of English football, whose decision-making and technical quality make him one of the most productive players in the Premier League.
This season, he’s scored three goals and assisted a further six, with his performances against Manchester United and Bournemouth two of the best individual displays I’ve seen in recent times.
He’s consistently delivering match-winning performances and the frightening thing for City’s rivals is, at just 25, he’s only going to get better.
Who do you think has been City’s star performer so far this season? Tweet @ManCity with your thoughts!
