Ahead of what promises to be a defining final two months of the season, Pep Guardiola’s side lie top of the Premier League, a point ahead of Liverpool.
We are also through to the semi-final of the FA Cup where we will play the Anfield side and have a Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid looming large on the horizon too.
Former City midfielder Brown - now both one of our regular Matchday Live analysts and co-commentators - says City’s quest for success has very much been a collective squad effort.
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But in assessing the contributions of Guardiola’s supremely talented group, Brown believes the individual impact of Algerian skipper Mahrez, who is the Club’s current leading scorer, has proved particularly vital as of late.
Asked to nominate his own standout players from the campaign so far, Brown said: “I thought Bernardo Silva at one point was going to be streets ahead, he was putting in some incredible performances and goals.
“Then there’s Joao Cancelo with the number of assists and goals as well as clean sheets from the full back four, Ederson comes into the conversation too and Ruben Dias.
“Phil Foden’s been getting better and better, (in fact) I could list the whole team!
“But Riyad Mahrez has got seven assists and 22 goals in all competitions (so far).
“His minutes per goal ratio is right up there from not getting as much football at the start of the season.
“I think he’s been absolutely incredible.”
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Algerian winger Mahrez, along with a number of his City colleagues are all currently away on international duty.
And with so many pivotal fixtures on the horizon – not least both a crucial league assignment and FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool – Brown feels the chance to either refresh for those not on international duty – and to sample a change of scenery will prove hugely beneficial as the business end of the season kicks in.
“I think the international break has come a good time, not with regards to rest but I just think mentally,” Brown asserted.
“The amount of games that the Club have played, training every day and the intensity that Pep demands, it’ll be a nice change of scenery just to get a break from that.
“Then they will get ready to go back for obviously an unbelievable April with the amount of games that City have got.”
