As the second international break of the 2024/2025 season has begun, Pep Guardiola would be reflecting upon Manchester City’s campaign so far.
Guardiola would be happy to note that Manchester City are yet to lose a single game in all competitions so far — despite his side facing teams of the calibre of Chelsea, Inter Milan and Arsenal.
However, Pep Guardiola will be that if his City side intend to especially bring the Premier League and the Champions League to the Etihad Stadium this campaign, their performances will have to further improve.
Manchester City’s success in the last few years has been a lesson in the fact that the truly elite teams come to life by the time the do-or-die period of the season comes into the picture.
As a result, 10 games into the ongoing campaign, it would be impossible to cover all bases when it comes to this City side’s potential of making more history.
But with Manchester City set to return to action after less than two weeks from now, it is worth taking stock of how their players have performed at this stage of the season.
Ederson- 6/10
Pep Guardiola discussed Ederson Moraes’ uncertain future in the summer by revealing that the primary reason why Manchester City were able to keep him at the club was due to the lack of a suitable offer for his services.
The Brazilian has not seemed distracted after a summer where he seemed like close to leaving City at one stage.
However, Ederson has had a mixed bag of a season so far.
While the 30-year-old’s shotstopping exploits deserve massive credit in Manchester City’s outings against Fulham and Brentford, he could have done better in two of the goals he has conceded this campaign.
Firstly, for Sammie Szmodics’ tame effort in Ipswich Town’s 4-1 defeat to City and secondly, in the lead-up to Gabriel Magalhaes’ header in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against his side, the decorated goalkeeper should have been far more commanding and rushed off his line.
Stefan Ortega- 5/10
Stefan Ortega has made a mere two appearances for Manchester City this season: starting in their 2-1 win against Watford in the Carabao Cup and their 4-0 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava.
Ortega could have done much for Tom Ince’s splendid strike from distance and on the ball, he was solid as ever in both of his outings.
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Scott Carson- N/A
Scott Carson is yet to make an appearance for Manchester City this season, making his first and only start for the club during their 4-3 win against Newcastle in 2021.
Kyle Walker- 2/10
Kyle Walker has had a tough start to the 2024/2025 season.
The Englishman has been responsible for a few of the goals City have conceded this term — namely Gabriel’s headed goal where he allowed the Brazilian to bypass him and score, leaving Anthony Gordon onside as he won the decisive penalty against City and failing to clear his lines for Ice’s goal for Watford.
Walker was rather error-prone last season as well and he is yet to mend his ways in his second season as the Sky Blues’ captain.
Going forward, the £175,000-a-week defender has not offered much as well as it seems like his days at the highest level are numbered nowadays.
Rico Lewis- 9/10
Rico Lewis, on the other hand has made a strong case to become Manchester City’s starting right-back this season.
Apart from when he failed to properly track Szmodics’ run for his opening goal against City, the 19-year-old has been flawless defensively this season.
Lewis has come up against wingers of the calibre of Mohammed Kudus, Christopher Nkunku and Adama Traore this season and kept them quiet for large parts in these match-ups.
Simultaneously, the youngster has been tasked to drift into midfield — a role that has suited him to a tee once again this season as he has been one of his boyhood club’s most in-form players this campaign.
- READ MORE: Who is Rico Lewis? The Man City prodigy who is one of the best Pep Guardiola has ever trained
Ruben Dias- 8/10
Despite Manchester City having been vulnerable at the back this season, some of their defenders have still managed to cover themselves in glory and one of them is Ruben Dias.
Dias has been consistently brilliant this campaign, once again proving why he is a leader at the back for City and made crucial challenges at the back while remaining terrific in possession.
The former Benfica colossus will be hoping Manchester City improve as a defensive unit after the international break.
John Stones- 3/10
John Stones would be hoping to become a regular starter at the Etihad Stadium once club football resumes after the international break.
Stones has made three starts for City this season; as he made an error in his side’s 2-1 win against Brentford, slicing his clearance that led to Yoane Wissa’s early goal while being relatively untested against Watford and Slovan Bratislava.
In the England international’s only real test against the Bees, he had a difficult outing.
Even for Rodrigo Muniz’s goal in Fulham’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, it could be argued that Stones does not get tight enough on him and gives him the space to pick his spot.
Stones’ standout moment of the season emerged when he scored the late equaliser against Arsenal but he has had a ropey start to the campaign so far.
Manuel Akanji- 8/10
Much like Dias, Manuel Akanji has also been a rock at the back for City this season.
Whether that is on the right or the left side of the defence, the Swiss international has been imperious, dominating forwards, looking typically slick with the ball at his feet and being one of Manchester City’s most consistent performers.
Perhaps Akanji’s only mishap of the season emerged for Andres Pereira’s goal as he left him unmarked inside the box and could be considered guilty of ball-watching.
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Nathan Ake- N/A
Nathan Ake has made one appearance in the closing stages of Manchester City’s 3-1 win against West Ham United this season.
Being gradually integrated into the side after Ake was given an extended break like many of his teammates after Euro 2024 coupled with his latest injury has meant his campaign is yet to truly begin.
- Who is Nathan Ake? Step inside the life of Man City’s unsung hero
Josko Gvardiol- 9/10
Josko Gvardiol has been in outstanding touch so far this season, making the left-back position his own with one consistent performance after another.
Scoring in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle as well, Gvardiol’s contributions going forward and at the back have been a joy to watch as he continues to get better and better.
Kaden Braithwaite- 6/10
Kaden Braithwaite made his first-ever appearance for Manchester City in their 2-1 victory against Watford and despite just being 16 years old, he rose to the challenge and put in an impressive display.
It will be interesting to see if Braithwaite gets more minutes this season.
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Rodri- 5/10
Before Rodri’s season-ending injury, he made three appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side against Brentford, Inter Milan and Arsenal.
Against Thomas Frank’s side, the Spanish international came on in the second half and calmed the game down, putting in an assured performance but against Inter, he struggled in the first half before looking far more at ease in the second.
While against Arsenal, Rodri started the game well, he picked up an injury soon after.
As a result, it is difficult to judge the season that the 28-year-old had up until that point.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Mateo Kovacic- 8/10
Mateo Kovacic has had a promising start to life in his second season as a Manchester City player.
Kovacic has fared admirably well as a makeshift defensive midfielder, scoring three league goals in the process as well.
Despite his brace against Fulham, the Croatian struggled to defend on the counter-attack while against Newcastle as well, the 30-year-old was positioned far too deep, letting Bruno Guimaraes breach Manchester City’s defence with an incisive through ball that led to Anthony Gordon’s eventual spot-kick.
However, for the most part, Kovacic can be proud of his performances as he continues to learn one of the toughest roles on the pitch.
- Who is Mateo Kovacic? Step inside the life of the elegant Man City midfielder
Ilkay Gundogan- 6/10
Micah Richards criticised Ilkay Gundogan’s display against Newcastle, a game where he was unchacterstically sloppy.
However, in Gundogan’s starts against Arsenal, Fulham and Slovan Bratislava, he has largely looked quite sharp.
The German is yet to explode into life upon his return to City but he is growing into proceedings as the midfield maestro’s passing, first touch and movement has looked rather promising.
Matheus Nunes- 4/10
Matheus Nunes’ standout moment of the ongoing season emerged when he set Erling Haaland’s third goal against West Ham United up with a cracking through ball.
But apart from Nunes’ assist against the Hammers, he has yet to look convincing in either of his starts against Watford in the Carabao Cup and Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.
Time is running out for the Portuguese international to prove he can succeed at City.
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Kevin De Bruyne- 6/10
Kevin De Bruyne will be hoping he can return on the pitch imminently as yet another injury has curtailed his start to the season.
Against both Ipswich Town and West Ham, De Bruyne looked like he could have a campaign to remember in his newfound left-sided attacking midfield role.
The Belgian did not look at his brilliant best against Chelsea but considering he missed City’s pre-season tour of the United States after Euro 2024, his quiet display in his side’s opening league game of the campaign was understandable.
Against Brentford, De Bruyne was sloppy in possession on several instances but he still could have left the pitch with a few assists to his name on another day.
The 33-year-old went off injured against Inter Milan after an admittedly unconvincing start to the game from him.
Bernardo Silva- 3/10
Bernardo Silva has played much of the ongoing season as either a winger or in attacking midfield; two positions that do not seem to suit a natural controller like him.
The former AS Monaco technician has largely cruised through games without having much of an impact on proceedings.
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Phil Foden- 5/10
Phil Foden has only made three starts for Manchester City this campaign.
Recently, Pep Guardiola discussed Foden’s slow start to the season —putting that down to illness and niggles.
While the 24-year-old had a quiet outing against Watford, he looked bright against Fulham while against Slovan Bratislava, the silky technician registered a goal and an assist.
The best time to judge Foden will be after the international break.
James McAtee- 5/10
James McAtee started his only game of the season against Watford while making cameos off the bench against West Ham United, Ipswich Town, Brentford and Slovan Bratislava.
The 21-year-old was relatively bright in the Carabao Cup as a number 10 while scoring a brilliant goal in the Champions League.
McAtee will have to be given more minutes as the season progresses for even Pep Guardiola to be able to judge whether he is first-team ready yet.
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Nico O’Reilly- 5/10
Nico O’Reilly has started one game for Manchester City in defensive midfield this season where he was solid, if not spectacular.
The youngster will be hoping for more regular minutes in the starting XI now that Rodri is sidelined with a major injury.
- Who is Nico O’Reilly? Get to know the ‘phenomenal’ Man City starlet who has caught Pep Guardiola’s eye
Jacob Wright- N/A
While Jacob Wright did come off the bench against Watford and looked assured in midfield, it is tough to rate his season as he has made a mere appearance for the senior team this campaign.
Jack Grealish- 7/10
Jack Grealish has had a promising start to the season so far.
Grealish has registered two assists in all competitions but what is more encouraging is how consistent his displays have been.
Against West Ham, Brentford, Newcastle and Watford, the Englishman has been one of City’s brightest sparks.
Grealish looks determined to have a season to remember after his previous campaign was one to forget.
Savinho- 8/10
Savinho can count himself unfortunate that he has been benched in Manchester City’s last two league games.
Apart from the Brazilian’s quiet showings against Brentford and Inter Milan, he has consistently been one of City’s best players this season.
Savinho’s flair, close control, quick feet and eye for a pass are all traits that are already clear to see for the world and he looks like a top winger in the making at just 20 years of age.
- Who is Savinho? The ‘special’ starlet who tore up La Liga and is Man City’s first transfer of the summer
Erling Haaland- 10/10
It would be pedantic to be critical of Erling Haaland after he failed to find the back of the net against Fulham, Newcastle and Inter Milan.
Haaland has scored a staggering 10 league goals in seven games as well as one in two Champions League starts this campaign.
The Norwegian international has started the season like a man possessed and barring Robert Lewandowski, who has 12 goals in all competitions for Barcelona so far, no other player in Europe’s top five leagues has outscored him.
Jeremy Doku- 6/10
Jeremy Doku has had a mixed start to his second season at City.
While Doku’s emphatic strike against Fulham coupled with his goal against Watford and lively showings against Ipswich Town and Slovan Bratislava have been real positives, his all-round displays this season are yet to fully convince.
The Belgian struggled to impress against the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Brentford and Arsenal.
However, the 22-year-old has looked like a real threat in his last two starts for Manchester City and it would be premature to rule out the chances of him having a brilliant season.
- Who is Jeremy Doku? Keep up to speed with Man City’s rapid winger
Oscar Bobb- N/A
An early-season injury has meant Oscar Bobb has not played a single minute for Manchester City in competitive fixtures this season.
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