Who makes a post takeover Manchester City best 11?
- William Russell
- Aug 29, 2023
- 11 min read
Ever since Manchester City were bought by Sheikh Mansour, vice president of the United Arab Emirates, nearly 15 years ago, we have seen some very impressive footballers don the sky blue shirt.
City's rise to immortality has been helped by some astute buys - players who have avoided temptation from bigger, more famous clubs to write themselves in Manchester City folklore.
Club legends David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Touré, each of whom enjoyed an extended career in the Premier League, had suitors at much bigger clubs named after years of excellence at City, but decided to stick with the Blues, which has helped the club escalate to the global giant it is today.
So, to celebrate 15 years since City's owners took over the club, I decided to make a post takeover best City 11, featuring the very best players from under Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and... Mark Hughes.
Making an 11 of the best of the best, the truly great City players, would've been a near impossible feat by myself. Therefore, I consulted some fellow Manchester City fans from across the world, to help me make my decision.
I had some very interesting shouts, ones I hadn't even considered, including Aleksander Kolarov, Joe Hart, Joao Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko and even Gael Clichy. Finally, after taking the opinions of everyone, including myself, into account, I came up with a starting 11.
The standard was so high that, thanks to some advice from Lucy (@POVSALVAREZ on X) and James (@JWFielding on X) I decided to include a substitutes bench as well, as a way of including the unfortunate City legends that missed out on the starting 11.
And, of course, this entire concept is side-lining some true City icons from before the takeover, namely Francis Lee, Mike Doyle, Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, Bert Trautman, Joe Corrigan, Alan Oakes, and many, many more.
However, considering I am not old enough to have seen any of these players play, it's for the best to exclude these players from the lineup, but to give them the respect and recognition that their contributions for City deserve.
So, The 2 Silvas Blog presents you the best Manchester City lineup that could've been assembled since the takeover in 2008. Bear in mind that this is very subjective, and you will likely disagree with the final decision:
Goalkeeper - Ederson
In one of the easiest positions to pick for such a tightly contested team, having Ederson in-between the sticks for Manchester City provides a sense of comfort and reassurance for the backline.
Despite Joe Hart's cult hero status during his spell at the club, City's success under Guardiola, with Ederson remaining an ever-present throughout, is enough to cement him as the best goalkeeper in the club's history.
His distribution is top notch, which has played a huge part in City's success as the best possession orientated team in the world. The 30 year old has also seen his shot stopping skills improve a lot in recent months, which played a huge part as City lifted the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul.
Ultimately, if we put sentimentality aside regarding Hart, there is no real competition for Ederson's crown as the best goalkeeper to play for the club since the takeover. With his illustrious trophy cabinet, combined with his longevity in the role, the Brazilian deserves the accolade of being in the all time 11 as much as anyone.
Right back - Kyle Walker
For right back, there were really two choices: Kyle Walker or Pablo Zabaleta. After deliberating with other fans, I eventually decided to go with Walker, for a number of reasons.
One reason is just how long Walker has stayed at the top of his game. At the age of 33, the Englishman has lost none of his pace, nor his physicality, meaning he can keep world class players 10 years his junior, such as Vinicius Junior, quiet for a full 90 minutes.
Plus, there is the continued presence of Walker as a mainstay in City's defence, despite overcoming multiple obstacles, that sees him as one of the best defenders in the club's history.
Despite Cancelo's arrival in 2019 set to signal the end for Walker, as well as Guardiola's public comments saying he didn't fit the system, Walker battled back, and can once again be regarded as one of City's key players.
With a trophy cabinet consisting of 5 Premier Leagues, 4 Carabao Cups, 2 FA Cups, 2 Community Shields, 1 Champions League and 1 Super Cup, Walker's record speaks for itself when it comes to considering him as being, in my opinion, the best fullback in the club's history.
Right centre back - Vincent Kompany
One of the best defenders of his generation, Vincent Kompany, along with Ederson and a certain other Belgian, is a nailed on starter for this team, and would wear the captain's armband too.
He led the club to exceptional things as captain, pulling them over the line for their first league title, FA Cup and Carabao Cup trophies after the takeover. He loved to pop up with a big goal too, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 home victory against Manchester United in 2012, and scoring in a man of the match performance in City's 3-0 Carabao Cup final defeat of Arsenal at Wembley.
His most important moment in a City shirt, however, came in his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium. With the clock ticking down, Kompany scored a thunderous 30 yard screamer, which whistled past the stranded Kasper Schmeichel and into the top corner, in a game where City needed a goal to prevent the title being in Liverpool's hands on the final day of the season.
His reaction at the end of the game was one of pure emotion, and was a sign of all the frustration from his injury problems during his time at the club leaking out.
When he was fit, Kompany was a brilliant defender; strong, technical, athletic and intelligent, he really was the full package. Unfortunately for him, he struggled hugely with calf injuries, which kept him out for extended periods at a time.
However, he'll always be remembered as one of the greatest players in the club's history, and his name will forever be etched amongst the greatest leaders of Manchester City.
Left centre back - Ruben Dias
In a tightly contested battle for the spot next to Kompany, Dias's importance to the treble winning side sees him edge ahead of the likes of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order.
Whilst Stones also contributed hugely to City's defence, he hasn't always been a key player, unlike Dias, who has been the main man at the back since day 1. He commands and improves the backline, and it'd have been quite something to witness him and Kompany work as a partnership.
His influence on the team when he first signed in 2020, and then when he regained his place as a starter after injury in 2023, had a huge impact on the outcome of City's season. Plus, the partnerships he has formed with the other defenders when playing in the middle of the back 3 in possession last season was a key factor in City's continued defensive solidity.
A current club icon, and a likely future legend, Ruben Dias is the go to man to partner Kompany at the heart of the all time 11's defence.
Left back - Aymeric Laporte
Yes, I recognise that Laporte didn't play the vast majority of his City career at left back. However, at Manchester City, playing a natural left back at left back isn't something we see all too often! Plus, I believe the contributions of the Spaniard outstrip anything achieved by any of the recent left backs to have played for City.
The Spaniard won 5 Premier League titles at City, and can proudly recognise himself as the club's most important defender in two of those years - the 2018/19 Fourmidables season and the 2021/22 season, where he was the only fit centre back in the run in, as City edged over the finishing line to win the Premier League ahead of Liverpool.
He risked his career for the sake of the Premier League title in 2022, which ultimately cost him his career at City, as he was mostly left out in the cold upon his return to the squad. This sort of commitment and dedication to the badge is the sort of thing that will earn Laporte the eternal gratitude of the fanbase.
When compared to the excellent left footed defenders that have played, and do play, for City, including excellent players such as Kolarov, Zinchenko, Clichy, Joleon Lescott and Nathan Ake, I believe Laporte stands out on his own as being the very best of the best, both in terms of technical ability and personal contribution.
Defensive midfield - Fernandinho
For me, this was the hardest decision in the entire team, by an extremely long way. Picking between Fernandinho and Rodri, two of the best Premier League midfielders of all time, was always going to be an impossible feat, but I was still thrown as to how difficult I found making the decision.
Eventually, I plumped for Fernandinho, due to the fact his City career spanned out much longer than Rodri's has to date. The Brazilian was an important player from day one under Manuel Pellegrini, but became the main man at the base of midfield when Guardiola took over the reins.
His dominating performances helped City win the Carabao Cup and the Premier League with 100 points in the 2017/18 season, and to retain it the next season, with the added bonuses of the Carabao Cup, Community Shield and FA Cup too.
Despite being played at centre back, and then being phased out of the side the next season, Fernandinho still played a huge role in City's success for his remaining 3 seasons at the club, and he was never really inferior to Rodri until the end of 2021, when he 36 years of age.
The unsung hero of City's success, and the captain of two Premier League title winning teams - Fernandinho is worthy of his status as a Manchester City legend.
Right sided 8 - Kevin de Bruyne
Alongside Ederson and Kompany, De Bruyne was one of three certainties for my team, partly because they were the only 3 constants across the teams of all the City fans I asked, but also because I believe we haven't had a goalkeeper quite like Ederson, a leader quite like Kompany, or a player quite like De Bruyne.
When at the top of his game, the Belgian midfielder is quite simply unplayable. He has a blend of abilities; driving at the backline, crossing from out wide, playing through balls from deep, receiving the ball in tight areas, playing long passes - and he is world class at every single one of them.
He has been the beating heart of City's attack ever since he joined under Pellegrini in 2015, and has pulled off regular moments of pure magic ever since. In the 2019/20 season, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, De Bruyne equalled Thierry Henry's record of most Premier League assists in a season, with a remarkable total of 20.
In terms of talented individuals to play for City, I believe De Bruyne is the very best of them. The Belgian international has definitely achieved legend status at City, especially now that he has lifted the Champions League as the club's vice captain.
As one of the very best players to play for the club, De Bruyne walks into the best post City takeover 11, even considering the plethora of iconic players in central midfield areas.
Left sided 8 - Ilkay Gundogan
There are at least 3 - and possibly more - players who deserve this role in the all time 11, so it is unfortunate that they have to miss out. In fact, it was so tight between Ilkay Gundogan and Yaya Touré that @SheikhMCI ran a poll on X that received over 13,000 people to help me reach a final decision.
I decided the fair thing to do was to go with the victor of the poll, and that was Gundogan, with 59% of the vote. City's former captain left the club on much better terms than Touré, so in that respect, Gundogan is the bigger legend of the two.
In the big moments, Gundogan has never shied away; in fact, he's stepped up to the plate to deliver. When Fernandinho was injured at the back end of the 2018/19 season, the German stepped up to show he was capable of covering at the base of midfield.
He has contributed massively in his career on multiple occasions through his goals, including a magnificent run of goalscoring form in early 2021, his brace against United in the FA Cup final and, of course, his two goals from the bench on the final day of the 2021/22 season, to win City the Premier League.
Both players deserve to be in the team, but, unfortunately, Touré has to miss out. However, in terms of consistency, and legacy left at Manchester City, Gundogan just slips in to the best all time City 11.
Right winger - David Silva
One of three Manchester City players to have a statue outside the Etihad Stadium, it wouldn't be a true post takeover dream team without the presence of David Silva.
Silva signed for City in 2010, and remained at the club for a decade, winning 4 Premier League titles in that time, and captaining the club in his final season, before moving to play for Real Sociedad in Spain at the age of 34.
City's former number 21 is the perfect attacking midfielder for a Guardiola side. He's nimble, agile, technically fantastic and knows exactly when to slow the game down, and when to look to create chances.
He gained most of his success playing in central areas for City, but his versatility and talent means he'd do a typically high quality job creating from the right wing.
Silva is one of the greatest players in Premier League history; as such, he fully deserves his status as one of the best players ever to pull on a City shirt.
Striker - Sergio Aguero
Despite the 52 goals of Erling Haaland helping City on their way to a treble, for me, there is no disputing a place in the side for City's all time record goalscorer.
Aguero's longevity in the role, plus his canny knack of popping up in the very biggest moments, means it'll take another two seasons of pure brilliance from Haaland to match the legacy left by the Argentinian.
On the final day of the 2011/12 season, Aguero scored a last gasp winner to win City their first ever Premier League title, as they clinched the title from underneath United's nose. He has also scored in every home appearance he made at the Etihad Stadium against Liverpool, including in the 2-1 victory at the start of 2019, when both City and Liverpool played to the very highest standard.
I may be biased, considering he is my favourite City player of all time, but I just think that no Manchester City post takeover 11 can be complete without the presence of the greatest goalscorer to wear the shirt.
Left winger - Raheem Sterling
A controversial player amongst the City fanbase, but Raheem Sterling's goalscoring record speaks for itself, and the Englishman helped City win many trophies over his career with his contributions.
Despite having poor end product, and missing numerous chances, Sterling's positioning and movement made him one of the biggest goal threats in the world against a deep block. His scintillating pace on the counter made him a big threat against more expansive teams as well, such as Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.
Despite this, the English forward was still able to muster up 131 goals in his 7 season spell at City, a remarkable feat for a winger who was signed as a promising but raw talent.
However, Sterling left in fairly acrimonious circumstances, which has unfortunately tarnished his City legacy. After joining current club Chelsea, for approximately £50 million, Sterling spoke negatively about his final season at the club, and mentioned how he deserved more playing time, despite Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez all performing better than him.
However, he received an excellent reception at the Etihad on his return last season, and looks to have returned to his best under the management of Mauricio Pochettino. Hopefully - unless he threatens City directly - Sterling will continue to prosper at Chelsea, and will return to the form we have seen from him before.
Substitutes bench
There are many players unfortunate to have missed out on the post takeover 11, and, due to the incredibly high standard needed to get into the team, I have made a substitutes bench of the 7 players most unlucky to miss out.
For me, there are 5 spots on the bench that are absolutely guaranteed: Joe Hart as the backup goalkeeper, Erling Haaland as the backup striker, Bernardo Silva as the backup winger and Yaya Touré and Rodri as backup midfielders.
To have a balanced bench, the remaining two spots belong to 2 defenders - preferably a full back and a centre back. For me, Pablo Zabaleta should get one spot, and John Stones should get the other, for their extended and successful contributions in their time at the club.
This is immensely harsh on the players who have missed out on the squad entirely; Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Aleksander Kolarov, Joao Cancelo, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards are just some of the names who could feel like they could stake a claim in the squad.
Recap
Starting 11: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Dias, Laporte; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Gundogan; D Silva, Aguero, Sterling.
Substitutes: Hart, Zabaleta, Stones, Rodri, Touré, Bernardo, Haaland
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