End of season squad thoughts

Few interesting squad bits to consider and potential movers going into next year! Starting at the back…

Ederson - seems mad to criticise given another year, another golden glove, but I think he was sloppy especially at the business end of the season. His shots to save ratio isn’t actually very good (about average in the league). Ederson made 62 saves this season, the lowest in the league. Granted part of that is testament to how good we are, having only faced 88 shots on target, but City still conceded 26 goals. Compare that to our nearest rivals, Liverpool, they faced 110 shots on target, 82 saves and also conceded 26. Not a major issue, but definitely one worth keeping an eye on, I thought in games like the semi against Real there were goals conceded where he could potentially have done better.

CB - Stones really is the lynchpin in the middle, so so underrated. Dias was brilliant when he came in last season, but he looks better playing alongside Stones. And likewise, so does Laporte. Bit of an easy target when he came, Stones, but he has really focused his game now, just a shame there is always at least one niggling injury each season. Ake was also great when called upon, I think keeping those four fit and using in rotation is definitely the way, Fernandinho at cb was sadly a bit of a failed experiment!

FB - Kyle Walker, wow, key player for City. Has come such a long way under Guardiola since that mistake against Wigan and will be solid to replace in a few seasons time (hopefully). Scousers hail Trent as the best in the business, they are both very different players though, and Walker makes a huge difference for us in the big games. Cancelo, probably the most frustrating City player for me, actually think he plays better at LB than RB. Saw a comment on here a few weeks back saying “he thinks he’s playing beach soccer" which sounds about right! Has moments where he looks like Messi, followed by moments where he emulates Ben Thatcher. Saw a stat that says he has had the most attempts on goal for us this season, but has only bagged 3 times in all comps! Switched off for goals conceded against Madrid and Villa, and persistently plays floated high balls into the box for Haaland who hasn’t actually played yet. Wouldn’t be against the idea of some extra competition in the FB areas as we were completely out of shape when it mattered most this season due to injuries.

Midfield - Rodri, brilliant season, lost it a little in the middle but made it count when it happened. So happy he has settled into the DM role Fern used to master on his own, it was a bit of a hamstring using the double pivot of Rodri and Gundogan. Fair play to Rodri. Good shout for poty. Would be gutted to see the experience of both Gundogan and Fernandinho leave the dressing room this summer, both have been excellent servants to the club. Gundogan I think definitely has more to give, but just depends if he is happy with more of a squad role and would not begrudge seeing him leave for more regular game time.

Attack - not in bad shape to say it’s another year with the false 9 experiment! It’s Liverpool who are more lauded for their unrivalled forward line, but we’ve still scored more goals in fewer attempts than our closest rivals in the league this season. Solid seasons from KDB and Foden. Grealish actually has good stats, but he will need to do more next season. Came close to some big game moments (cleared off the line in Madrid), hope he can move it up a gear. Disappointed with Mahrez this season, again, sounds mad to criticise our top scorer. But I thought he went missing in the big games this year (albeit he scored in Spain!). When you look at Mahrez at his best - PSG legs last year - I thought he squandered a lot of chances this season and hasn’t reached his previous levels.

Potential movers

Think there could be a bit of movement this summer with our attackers. Lots of talk about Jesus moving. I think that’d be a shame tbh. He stepped up in the run in, fair enough he isn’t going to be the man to lead the front line week in week out, but I still think he has much to offer and looked played well in big games like against Madrid. Like Gundogan it just depends what role he is happy with.

Sterling, used to be he’s be great for club and poor for country. But that role seems to have reversed now. Still played his part this year, but no where near the levels he was, and should still get a decent fee if moved on this year.

Of all those on the list of potential leavers, Bernardo Silva is the one I’d be most gutted about - strong rumours his girlfriend is unsettled. He’s a terrace hero who epitomises the graft Guardiola demands of his players. Only Brentford’s Christian Norgaard (287.9km) has covered more ground in the league this season than Bernardo (281.6km), and Norgaard has played 200 minutes more league football than the Portuguese.

Gone to town a bit 😂