In the second part of our position-by-position review of Manchester City’s 2019-20 season, we head to midfield, where some of City’s brightest moments came from this year.
Despite a disappointing campaign on nearly every front, Manchester City enjoyed some truly brilliant midfield showings in 2019-20. This is one area of the team where City have a clear upper hand against fellow top sides such as Liverpool, and although it was not a perfect season for any one unit of the team, the argument can be made that midfield was the squad’s best area.
These ratings, like match ratings, are out of 10, but rather than a single performance, are based on the player’s performance this season given their stature and expectations. Therefore, a higher rating does not necessarily mean that one player was better than another, but rather, that they delivered on expectations to a higher degree.
Defensive Midfielders
Rodri (CDM): In his debut season with the club, the Spaniard clearly showed he was up to the task in the Premier League with impressive strength, physicality, tackling to shield a porous defense behind him. He quickly established himself as the preferred option to Fernandinho in the number six role, even when everyone was fit, and has a long future in Manchester. (8)
İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): The German had another season of regular involvement, even if there was not much to show for it. I consider Gündoğan to be a “high-floor, low-ceiling” player, meaning that he is typically not terrible, but standout performances are extremely rare. For a team of City’s quality, however, just “good enough” is not good enough. His woeful showing against Lyon in the first half leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, and although I do not want to succumb to recency bias, this is not based on just one game; it is a consistent pattern that comes up every year. Putting Gündoğan in the team in my view is settling for less, and if it were up to me, I would be in deep talks with Bayern Munich for a swap deal for Thiago Alcântara. (5)
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Attacking Midfielders
David Silva (CAM): In his final season with the club, City legend David Silva at times looked his age, but towards the end of the campaign put in vintage performances to cap off a brilliant career in England. He has been a massive part of the project with this team, and even though I expected little in his final season given the slight regression I had noticed in 2018/19, he became club captain and did City proud once more. (7.5)
Phil Foden (CAM): With one star departing in David Silva, a new one emerged, and his name was Phil Foden. Especially following the restart, the Stockport native ascended to new heights with jaw-dropping performances that showed the future was now, and all of his potential was becoming results. He was versatile, featuring regularly on both flanks as well as through the middle, and with the expectation of starting week-in, week-out next season, City may very well have one of world football’s future stars. (8.5)
Kevin de Bruyne (CAM): A magical player, one for the history books, and an individual season that deserved so much more. From tying Thierry Henry’s league assist record, to winning the PFA Player of the Season, Kevin de Bruyne was absolutely unstoppable. He is easily City’s best player, a leader in every aspect, and should be given the armband permanently next season. (10)