The Blues are, in fact, the second most successful club in the competition behind only Liverpool in the all-time standings.
Our first triumph came in 1970 as we defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-1 with Joe Mercer masterminding victory over the Baggies courtesy of a goals from Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe with captain Tony Book lifting the trophy at Wembley.
Much-loved and missed Book then held the cup aloft as manager in 1976 as he led us to victory over Newcastle 2-1 thanks to Dennis Tueart’s winner which was subsequently voted the greatest in the history of the competition, with the boss becoming the first person to win the competition as both a player and manager.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Blues followed that up with triumphs in 2014 and 2016 before Pep Guardiola’s City won four successive League Cups from 2018 to 2021 with the Catalan becoming the first coach to win the trophy in a quartet of consecutive years.
Those eight successes have featured some truly magnificent players and, as we head into yet another final on Sunday, kick-off 16:30 (UK) at Wembley, we’ve decided to put together our Greatest League Cup XI!
And you get to decide who’s selected in our 4-3-3 formation with Goalkeeper, Right Back, Centre Back Option 1, Centre Back Option 2, Left Back, Defensive Midfield, Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Right Wing, Left Wing, Forward and also Manager available to vote on below.
There are some tough choices ahead for you, no less in Attacking Midfield as Colin Bell, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne go head-to-head – good luck with that one!
We will be revealing the XI plus Manager on Saturday as we build up to Sunday’s final.
GOALKEEPER
JOE CORRIGAN
Two-time League Cup-winning City legend in 1970 and 1976
WILLY CABALLERO
Penalty shoot-out heroics helped us to 2016 League Cup glory
CLAUDIO BRAVO
In goal for League Cup triumphs in 2018 and 2020
RIGHT BACK
TONY BOOK
First person to ever win the League Cup as player and manager in 1970 and 1976
KYLE WALKER
Won four League Cups in succession from 2018 to 2021
PABLO ZABALETA
Helped end a 38-year wait for League Cup glory with 2014’s success over Sunderland
CENTRE-BACK OPTION ONE
MIKE DOYLE
Scored in 1970 West Brom success. Captain in 1976 Newcastle triumph
DAVE WATSON
Colossus overcame serious back injury to star in 1976 victory over Newcastle
TOMMY BOOTH
Versatile ace starred in central defence in 1970 win and central midfield in 1976 victory
CENTRE-BACK OPTION TWO
VINCENT KOMPANY
Skipper for wins in 2014, 2016, 2018 and scored in the 3-0 Arsenal success
NICOLAS OTAMENDI
Unsung hero was four-time winner in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020
AYMERIC LAPORTE
Classy Spaniard scored the only goal in 2021 success over Tottenham
LEFT-BACK
WILLIE DONACHIE
Reliable Scottish ace won the League Cup in 1976 and helped set up Dennis Tueart winner
GLYN PARDOE
Much-loved star scored the stoppage time winner in 2-1 success over West Brom in 1970
OLEKS ZINCHENKO
Four-time League Cup winner from 2018 to 2021
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
ALAN OAKES
City’s record appearance maker was a two-time winner in 1970 and 1976
FERNANDINHO
Brilliant Brazilian was a six-time winner playing under both Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola
RODRI
Spaniard scored in our 2-1 success over Aston Villa in 2020
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
ASA HARTFORD
Scot starred in our 1976 success over Newcastle and involved in Peter Barnes opener
YAYA TOURE
Scored in 2014’s 3-1 win over Sunderland and the decisive penalty in our 2016 Liverpool win
ILKAY GUNDOGAN
Four-time winner, scoring one of the shoot-out spot-kicks in our 2019 success over Chelsea.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
COLIN BELL
King of the Kippax won the League Cup in 1970 and supported teammates in 1976 success
DAVID SILVA
Scored in 2018 success over Arsenal. Captain for 2019 and 2020 wins over Chelsea and Villa
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
King Kev was a League Cup winner in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021
RIGHT WING
DENNIS TUEART
Stunning overhead kick winner in 1976 was voted the competition’s most iconic moment
SAMIR NASRI
Scored in 2014 Sunderland success and also voted Player of the Match
JESUS NAVAS
Spaniard scored in 2014 victory over Sunderland and 2016 win over Liverpool
LEFT WING
PETER BARNES
Became the youngest Wembley final goalscorer with his opener in 1976 triumph
PHIL FODEN
Player of the Match in our 2021 1-0 success over Tottenham. Four-time winner
RAHEEM STERLING
Five-time winner scored in our penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool in 2019
FORWARD
FRANCIS LEE
Legendary striker won the League Cup in 1970 as one of his six City trophies
SERGIO AGUERO
Six-time winner scored in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 finals
EDIN DZEKO
Giant ace impressed in 2014 success over Sunderland
MANAGER
JOE MERCER
Visionary manager won the 1970 final as part of his Golden Era in charge of the Blues
TONY BOOK
Skip led us to glory in 1976 as boss following his 1970 success as a player
MANUEL PELLEGRINI
Popular Chilean was twice winner in 2014 and 2016
PEP GUARDIOLA
Iconic Catalan boss became the first coach to win the cup in four consecutive years
