Throughout the years, numerous club legends have been inducted into Manchester City’s hall of fame by the fans themselves. In the 4-1-3-2 formation, here is the best starting XI that I have seen in my lifetime watching the boys in blue.
Goalkeeper – Joe Hart
With all the millions that City have had at their disposal for the past five years, this was arguably the best bit of business the club have ever done. Just £100,000 brought the future City and England number one to the Etihad Stadium, and he’s still got another ten years in him. Joe Hart has gone on the prove just what a talented goalkeeper he is, commanding his box, a great shot-stopper and often giving his honest opinion even when things don’t go right. He even stars in one hell of a shampoo advert.
Left-Back – Aleksandar Kolarov
Often the scapegoat when things don’t go City’s way on the pitch, Kolarov has actually played a pivotal role in the growth of the club since his arrival back in 2011 from Lazio. He is criticised for his momentary defensive lapses in games, but everyone is quick to forget just how vital the Serbian has been in some important and defining matches for City.
After all who scored the equaliser when City drew 3-3 at home with Sunderland in 2012, a decisive draw that later saw us win our first ever Premier League. Kolarov has also mastered three defining goals in the Champions League for the Blues, firstly in City’s first ever Champions League match against Napoli to snatch a draw. A superb long range free-kick against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu saw City take the lead 2-1, and finally a cool and calm penalty against Bayern Munich when City came from behind to win 3-2.
Yes he has his defensive frailties but going forward, whipping in a cross or standing over a free-kick, any City fan would have to admit they’ve been glad to see Kolarov there.
Centre-Back – Vincent Kompany
What hasn’t been said about our current captain? ‘He’s the best defender in the world, he’s a liability, he’s past it, he’s a role-model for all players, he’s a gentleman’, the list goes on. But what can be said without any doubt is that Vincent Kompany will go down in City folklore.
‘Vinny’ will forever be remembered and admired as the complete defender, who could tackle well, head the ball, had pace and read the game immensely. It doesn’t seem like City bought Kompany back in 2008 from Hamburg, it seems like he’s been at City forever, just waiting there to make Cristiano Ronaldo have his tantrum when he got out-muscled off the ball back in 2012.
Centre-Back – Richard Dunne
Simply put, the man was a beast in defence. Prone to an own-goal here and there, but we’ll let that slide in this case. In my eyes Richard Dunne was the Vincent Kompany of Manchester City back when City were promoted back to the Premier League under Kevin Keegan.
As a fan in the stands, if you felt like an opposing striker was bossing the match or had a big mouth, you could guarantee that Dunne would let’s say, let him know he was there. Never a violent or disrespectful player, Dunne was a leader at the heart of City’s defence who would gladly put his body on the line. A gladiator of the back line.
Right-Back – Pablo Zabaleta
A City player who has played with his heart on his sleeve since day one. Zabaleta has bust his head open too many a time, fighting for every ball possible and ultimately more than often winning.
From his tackling to his attacking influence that has seen City ruin Premier League defences, Pablo Zabaleta didn’t have it all his own way at first at the club. Pitted against youngster and physical athlete Micah Richards, Zaba eventually fought for his place over a few seasons and through sheer determination on the field, has earned himself his spot on the team sheet.
Defensive-Midfield – Nigel De Jong
Overlooked throughout City’s first title-winning season in 2011/12, De Jong was the man who swept up the pieces when City had their backs against the wall. The Dutchman not only showed everyone how to win the ball back, but also how to distribute the ball up field despite being a defensive-minded player.
Now famous for THAT ‘tackle’ on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup Final, De Jong was a player who despite being a defensive midfielder allowed City to attack and get forward more, simply because you knew he was there to clean up any mess. Often brought on in the 2011/12 season to allow Yaya Toure to get forward more, De Jong is still to be replaced in many fans eyes.
“OH WHEN DE JONG! OH WHEN DE JONG! GOES SLIDING IN! GOES SLIDING!”
Left-Midfield – David Silva
This man is one of the best players I have ever seen put on a City shirt, not only in my lifetime, but in many other people’s lifetimes that stretch back much further. David Silva is one of those players, just like Messi, that when he’s on the ball, you know something big could happen.
A wizard on the ball, floating all over midfield and up front to find space, and even when man-marked, Silva finds a way to wriggle off his man. As an attacking midfielder/ playmaker he ticks all the boxes when it comes to assists, chances created, goals and even skill (just look at his assist to Aguero in the 3-0 win at home to Wigan in 2011)
Central-Midfield – Yaya Toure
A maraduer in midfielder, a tank on the ball and one of the deftest touches I’ve ever seen in football. Sometimes Yaya Toure makes it look too easy in a City shirt whether it be one of his full-length sprints, a screamer from 30-yards, or even a through-ball that cuts out three defenders.
When he first started at the Etihad everyone thought City had bought the laziest and most unfit player in their history. However, Toure soon set the record straight with some of the best performances ever seen by any City fan in some of the toughest matches. A midfielder with an eye for goal also, the Ivorian has popped up to score some club defining let alone career defining goals. One simply thinks of the FA Cup semi-final and final in 2011.
Right-Midfield – Shaun Wright-Phillips
‘Shaunyy Wright, Wright, Wright’ was a player who, once on the ball, knew exactly what he wanted to do, run past and blitz the man standing in his way. Wright-Phillips also had the perfect step-dad to teach him how to find the net too, sometimes even from 20/30 yards out.
SWP’s pace was such a gift and glory to see, and when everyone thought the ball was going out Wright-Phillips was there to keep it in. Just think back to his Manchester Derby screamer from the edge of the box, even the linesman was just waiting for that ball to go out of play. SWP was City through and through, even went he left for Chelsea, you just knew he’d come back eventually.
Striker – Shaun Goater
It couldn’t be put any simpler and the chant says it all. ‘Feed the Goat, and he will score!’ Shaun Goater was and will forever be a City legend. A man who played such a pivotal role in seeing the club rise from Division Two all the way to the Premier League.
His playing style was simple enough, poach around the penalty box and I’ll slot it away for you. his goalscoring record speaks for itself when he scored 101 goals in 209 appearances for City, just under a goal every two games. If not for his sheer goalscoring ability then he deserves to be in this side anyway for utterly embarrassing Gary Neville in the last Manchester Derby at Maine Road. Many a City fan will have thought, ‘if only he was ten years younger!’
Striker – Sergio Aguero
I’ll let Martin Tyler tell you/ scream why Sergio Aguero deserves to go down in City history. A goalscoring record that has seen him notch up 107 goals in just 162 competitive matches playing in City’s sky blue, and he’s still got plenty more years left in him.
Every City fan fears that one day Real Madrid or Barcelona will come knocking on the door for the Argentine talisman, but the man himself has made it clear, he’s not even thinking about leaving until he wins the Champions League with City. This just goes to show what a winner Aguero is, and aspires to be.
A brilliant chant to go with the fantastic talent that is Sergio Aguero, ‘you signed Phil Jones, we signed Kun Aguero!’
