Top 10 Manchester City players of 2023
- William Russell
- Jan 6, 2024
- 14 min read
In terms of trophies won, 2023 was not only the most successful year in Manchester City's history, but perhaps the most successful for any English team ever.
The Blues, led by manager Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff, finished the year with five trophies in all competitions - including three they'd never won before - to complete the set under Pep Guardiola.
But back at the start of January, it was looking rather bleak for City. They were in inconsistent form, had some key players struggling with morale and form, and had just lost the unhappy Joao Cancelo on loan to Bayern Munich without signing a replacement.
But Guardiola and the players were able to turn it around. The manager found the perfect blend to his team in terms of "chaos" and "control" players, and a new system was implemented to create an extra man in midfield without having to drop Erling Haaland deep.
Instead of an attacking midfielder, such as Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish or Bernardo Silva dropping deep from the central attacking position as a false nine, the extra man was made up by having a defender - usually John Stones - push forward, with City's full backs sitting deep to form a back three.
This was the perfect system for City in the late stages of last season; the three defenders and double pivot combination was enough to limit and defend against counter attacks, which left four players whose primary aim when they had the ball was to control the game high up the pitch and try and create chances for Haaland, the team's main goalscoring outlet.
Playing this system in big games was especially beneficial for City. At the Etihad Stadium, which became a fortress during their end of season run in, they beat Arsenal and Liverpool 4-1, Bayern Munich 3-0, Real Madrid 4-0 and RB Leipzig 7-0 in their run towards the two biggest trophies they could've possibly won: the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
And then, of course, there was the players. Every single squad member played their part - with on pitch and off pitch contributions that were crucial to restoring the team's form and momentum at a crucial point in the season.
There was an impact from new signings, an improvement from previously underperforming players and, of course, the players that have served the club well for numerous years taking their game up to another level to help City edge the treble over the line.
And, as we approach another year, where City remain in contention to win the treble again, we look back at the ten best performing City players across the last calendar year.
Of course, this list remains subjective, and it must be stressed that there are many players not on this list who offered a significant contribution to City's success across the year:
10. Bernardo Silva
Putting Bernardo Silva in tenth place seems to be a massive injustice. On the one hand, he contributed so much in big matches last year, and can very easily argue his stake to be higher up on the list. On the other hand, every other player on the list (and a few not on it) have contributed so much that it begins to make sense as to why the Portuguese international is so far down the list.
But let's focus on what Bernardo did achieve in what was another remarkable year in his City career. He scored two goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi finals, as well as bagging in the quarters against Bayern.
It was his ball across goal that was deflected into the path of Rodri for the winner in Istanbul, and since then, he's chipped in with six goals and four assists, including an important equaliser away at Luton Town, a delicate chipped cross for Haaland in the Manchester derby and a Lionel Messi-esque chipped effort against Bournemouth.
He's an integral part of City's side, due to his effort, versatility, familiarity with the system and, most importantly of all, his sheer quality. His efforts were rewarded with a new contract, but it contains a £50 million release clause, meaning we're likely approaching the final six months of Bernardo's City career.
He's one of the greatest players in the club's history, and his efforts in 2023 should be recognised. Without him, their ability to control the very biggest games and the ability to adapt mid game if things weren't going to plan would've been dented to the extreme.
9. Jack Grealish
Often criticised in the early parts of his City career, and still regularly targeted as a scapegoat, 2023 was a year to remember for the former Aston Villa captain.
In his first season at City, where he had to battle with the likes of Foden, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus for a starting spot on the left wing, Grealish was often left out of starting XI in the biggest games, including the home game against Liverpool and both legs of the Champions League quarter and semi finals, against Atletico and Real Madrid respectively.
Last season, however, was a completely different story. Grealish started every Champions League knockout game, as well as the home Manchester derby, the home match against Liverpool, the FA Cup final and home and away to Arsenal.
This is a testament to the trust Guardiola has in him, and in his ability to know exactly when is the right time to take and risk, and when a simple pass inside to Rodri or back to his full back is the correct option.
As simple as it sounds, this technique is an art, and it was well and truly mastered by Grealish. City wouldn't have dominated games against quality opposition - nor would they have won the treble - without him. In fact, other than Rodri, Grealish was the only player in the entire squad to have started all four cup finals - proving he is not just a player for the big games, but a player Guardiola can rely upon for availability when he's most needed.
His goal output has increased as well. With five goals and eleven assists in the 2022/23 season, he was second only to Kevin de Bruyne in terms of leading assisters at City. Despite a very stop-start 2023/24 season so far, he's already racked up three goals and two assists, a number which is sure to improve.
Despite his price tag and subsequent criticisms from our own supporters, Grealish has undeniably been a successful signing, and is one of City's most crucial players. Any success City achieve in 2024 will be greatly helped by his contributions on the left wing.
8. Ruben Dias
Many people acclaimed City's fine run of form from late February to the end of the season to a siege mentality created from the 115 Premier League Financial Fair Play charges the club faced at the start of their unbeaten run. Some others give credit to Guardiola for finding a way to bring the best out of Stones in a defence/midfield hybrid.
But very few outside a group of the club's most dedicated supporters give any real credit to Ruben Dias, the man who turned a shaky defence around with his leadership and communication, as well as his own individual brilliance, to make it impenetrable for some of the best attacks in Europe.
His performance at home to Bayern in the Champions League particularly stood out, largely because it was so reminiscent of his home performance in the 2-0 Champions League semi final victory over PSG in 2021, where he blocked the ball with his face numerous times to keep a precious clean sheet and take City through to the Champions League final.
Speaking of the Champions League final, the 2023 final in Istanbul was one of Dias's best performances for the club, as he coped tremendously with the threat of Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko and later on Romelu Lukaku, whilst passing out from the back tremendously too.
Dias has largely gone under the radar by casuals in 2023, mostly because he's not the first player you think of when City's success is mentioned. But in terms of performance level and contribution, he is just as important as any other player on this list to City's 2023 success.
7. Ederson
Manchester City's Champions League final man of the match and hero, it simply wouldn't be a correct list of best City players in 2023 without the best goalkeeper in the club's history.
Ederson dragged City over the line in Istanbul, as the defence fell under a barrage of pressure late on from Inter, who were pushing for a late equaliser. He came out superbly to claim a few crosses, and tipped a last minute free kick just wide of the post in remarkable fashion.
It must be remembered, however, that at the start of the year, there were many City fans clamouring for Stefan Ortega-Moreno to start between the sticks due to Ederson's poor form. The Brazilian made a handful of mistakes leading to goals, most notably playing the ball to Rodri under immense pressure and then fumbling Dejan Kulusevski's shot into the back of his own net.
But Ederson's quality shone through, as it has ever since he joined from Benfica in 2017. As good as Ortega-Moreno is (the best backup goalkeeper in the world, in my opinion) there was no doubt in my mind that Ederson should remain City's number one.
His passing out from the back is far superior to any other goalkeeper in the world, and is arguably the best of any goalkeeper of all time. When given time, he has always shown that he can pick out a long pass, and has made a few assists in his City career with long passes.
For the first real time in his City career, Ederson showed a special quality at the back end of the season; the shot stopping saves in clutch moments required to win games for the team. Without him, it's hard to imagine City winning either the Premier League or the Champions League, and questions will unfortunately need to be asked within the next few seasons as to how he could possibly be replaced when his time at the club comes to a close.
6. Nathan Ake
The rise of Nathan Ake from when he first signed as a fourth choice centre back from Bournemouth in 2020 to becoming one of City's key defenders in a treble winning side just three years later is one that will mean he remains popular in City folklore for many years to come.
The Dutchman signed from Bournemouth expecting to be behind Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order for the left centre back space and Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back. But all three of those players have now left the club, and a large reason for that was the emerging presence of Ake as a genuine starting option.
Last season, Ake slotted in perfectly on the left hand side of a back three in City's 3-2-4-1 formation. He put in some stellar defensive displays, against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane in big games where his defensive presence was required to keep out a dangerous attack.
And, with the arrival of new young left sided defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, who, like Ake, can play either at left back or as the left sided centre back, City have an eventual long term successor already in place.
And, despite Gvardiol's solid start to life at City, which has seen him start games against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea, it has become evident in recent games that Ake is the first choice option still, starting both the Liverpool home game and the Club World Cup final against Fluminense.
Despite all of his achievements, Ake remains hugely underrated by City supporters. It's time he gets recognised for what I think he is, the best defensive full back in the world, and one of the best defenders in City's history.
5. John Stones
The back end of 2023 has been unfortunate for Stones, as he currently recovers from his third injury of the season already. However, the impact he has had when he is on the pitch, combined with the way he took City's entire game up to the next level last season, means Stones is an automatic pick for the top five.
The 29 year old is a fans favourite, with his name included in three chants: "Best defence in Europe" (to the tune of "Rhythm is a Dancer" by SNAP!) "Follow, follow, follow" and his own chant, "Johnny, Johnny Stones" (to the tune of "Daddy Cool" by Boney M.)
It was his partnership with Dias that once again saw City's defence improve after a period of instability. This time, however (unlike in the 2020/21 season where the Stones-Dias partnership was first introduced) Stones played in a more advanced role, where he pushed forward to play alongside Rodri or even further forward in midfield.
This helps City dominate teams by creating a 4 vs 3 or even 4 vs 2 overload in the centre of midfield, where most of the possession is kept. Being a defender good enough positionally and technically to play this role, whilst also being a 6 foot 2 inches tall and a world class defender, is a skillset unique only to Stones, and that's why he's such an important cog in the City machine.
Credit must be given to Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji too. Lewis was the first City player to try the role at the start of 2023, and did a perfectly serviceable job there. In recent times, Akanji has also proven himself useful in said role. In many ways, it can be said that Lewis and Akanji have walked in order to ensure Stones is able to run.
Without him, the treble - or even any of the trophies individually - would have been entirely out of the question. Guardiola would've had to find an entirely new way of having the extra man in midfield, which would mean a different way of playing entirely. Stones's importance can not be overstated.
4. Kevin de Bruyne
If De Bruyne didn't make his final appearance of the year on August 11th, then it's certainly not out of the question that he'd be right at the very top of this list. But, as it is, he'll have to settle for fourth place, which becomes a lot more understandable when you see the three players ranked ahead of him.
But let's talk about Kevin. Alongside Haaland, De Bruyne had the treble winning team built around him. The likes of Grealish, Bernardo and Gundogan held control with frequent safe passes to fully let the two danger men run riot up front. By occupying defenders, Haaland would be able to create space for De Bruyne to thrive in - and thrive he did.
The Belgian finished the 2022/23 season with a staggering 31 assists in all competitions, with 10 goals as an added bonus. He made plenty of goal contributions in big moments, but there are two that stand out.
Firstly, there was his first goal against Arsenal in April, which was awarded Goal of the Season in The 2 Silvas Blog's end of season awards. De Bruyne took the ball charging forwards into space, shifted it past Gabriel and onto his right foot and curled it into the bottom corner from outside of the box, all of which happened without breaking sweat. This sent City on their way to winning 4-1, as he bagged another goal and assist on top of it in a Man of the Match display.
And, with City lacking an attacking threat going forwards and 1-0 down at the Bernabeu in the Champions League semi final first leg, it was De Bruyne who dragged City back into the game with a fizzing low strike from the edge of the box to put City in an excellent position for the second leg.
Julian Alvarez and particularly Foden have shown themselves to be exceptional options to fill in for De Bruyne when he's injured or in need of a rest. But there's no-one quite like De Bruyne, neither in world football or in Premier League history.
3. Ilkay Gundogan
This may be a case of nostalgia bias towards our recently departed former captain, but Ilkay Gundogan gets into the top three based on his performances at the start of 2023 that led City to the treble.
Throughout his entire City career, Gundogan popped up with crucial goals, and 2023 was no different. He scored as the Blues demolished RB Leipzig in the Champions League Round of 16, as well as providing two goals and one assist in a tough match at Goodison Park against Everton.
It was his lay off that was walloped home by De Bruyne at the Bernabeu, and he was also heavily involved in Bernardo's second goal in the home tie against Los Blancos. But the 2023 moment that will forever stick in City fans' minds occurred at Wembley Stadium on June 3rd.
After a mere 12 seconds of the FA Cup final was played, Gundogan's ferocious volley from outside the box beat Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and put City 1-0 up in stunning circumstances. He scored again in the second half as City won 2-1 on their way to the treble.
Since he moved to Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, City have shown in more than a few games that they've missed the presence of Gundogan in midfield. Lewis, Matheus Nunes and particularly Mateo Kovacic have shown flashes of Gundogan's control via "pausa" (the ability to control a game by coming to a complete stop with possession of the ball) but no-one in the squad shares his talents.
Gundogan's leadership has been sorely missed too. Without him and new club captain De Bruyne, City have wobbled a few times late on in games, as they conceded result altering late goals against Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Gundogan doesn't just get in for what he's achieved, but for what City miss now he's left. Without him, there would be no trophies in 2023, never mind a treble.
2. Erling Haaland
It's insane to think that a player who scored 52 goals in all competitions in his debut season, and went on to continue that remarkable record with 19 goals in 22 appearances so far this season would NOT be ranked as City's best player of 2023 (you've probably guessed who it is by now, and no, it isn't Scott Carson.)
But the freakish nature of Haaland's goalscoring has become so regularised now that he's no longer receiving praise for scoring at an irregular level. 19 goals in 22 games is a record that'd be good for every striker in world football, and this is for a footballer supposedly having an underwhelming season.
And he's not just scoring any goals, but he's popping up in the big games. In 2023 alone, he's scored against Arsenal twice, Manchester United twice, Tottenham Hotspur once, Liverpool once, Bayern twice and Chelsea twice, as well as hitting a five goal mega haul in the Champions League Round of 16 against RB Leipzig (which he followed up with a hattrick against Burnley a few days later.)
And even when he's not scoring - like when he went on his six game goal drought in the final six games of last season - he's still contributing to the team effort with assists and, in a less direct sense, his movement and attraction of defenders that frees space up for his teammates.
The 23 year old is arguably the most iconic player to ever wear the Manchester City shirt - he's a household name across the world. With 37.6 million followers on Instagram and 6.1 million followers on Twitter, he is a world superstar, and is recognised for more than just his supreme footballing ability.
Haaland will score goals his entire career, and, as evidenced by his City career to date, will continue to win City games with goals. He's been a big miss this last month through injury, and can already be considered as one of the best strikers in the club's history, solely down to his contributions to all City's success in 2023.
1. Rodri
Who else, other than the man who scored in Istanbul?
And even if he hadn't grabbed that all important goal in the 68th minute to secure City's first ever Champions League trophy, then it'd be hard to imagine anyone other than Rodri at the top of this list (unless Haaland scored in the Champions League final, then it would've been more difficult to judge.)
Rodri is City's most important player by a considerable distance -as shown by the fact City haven't lost a game with him in the side since last February. He sets the tempo in the middle of the pitch, dictates the play around him and puts a stop to counter attacks by picking up loose balls and tackling midfielders breaking forward.
For a holding midfielder, Rodri contributes a lot with goals and assists, a number that only increased in 2023. So far, he has chipped in with five goals and four assists this season, which, with the departure of regular goal producers Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, has been very handy in aiding Haaland. Just like Foden and Alvarez, he has stepped up to fill the gulf, which will hopefully be filled further by the returning De Bruyne.
The Spaniard's importance to the City team is somewhat scary, if you view it pessimistically. If he were to obtain a 6 week injury (or, God forbid, an injury the length of De Bruyne's) then City would no longer be in the title race; they'd be looking to secure Champions League football.
Kalvin Phillips has failed to adapt at City, and appears to have already played his last game for the club. The next best option would probably be Kovacic, but he performed poorly in his one game as the lone six (the 2-1 defeat to Wolves in September.) Bernardo could do it too, but he's needed further up the pitch.
A suitable Rodri backup is needed as a priority in the summer transfer window, if not now. Without him, the question of succeeding in the way City did in 2023 would be unfathomable.
Recap:
Rodri
Erling Haaland
Ilkay Gundogan
Kevin de Bruyne
John Stones
Nathan Ake
Ederson
Ruben Dias
Jack Grealish
Bernardo Silva
Comentarios