Premier League: 5 players that stood out for Manchester City this season

Manchester City won their fifth Premier League (PL) title and their third in the last four years. Pep Guardiola’s men won the 2020-21 season with 80 points from 35 matches, 10 clear of city rivals Manchester United in second place, whose 2-1 loss to Leicester at home on Tuesday secured City’s championship. Here are five standout Manchester City players who have been key to bringing home their fifth PL trophy.

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Ruben Dias:

The 23-year-old Portuguese centre-back was signed from Benfica for 68 million euros before the start of the 2020-21 season, and he is in contention for being one of the signings of the season. He has been very instrumental in the City’s backline and has been a rock at the back alongside his centre-back partner John Stones. 

John Stones:

The 24-year-old English centre-back struggled to break into the team’s starting XI in previous seasons. But during this season, he has been very influential alongside Dias on racking up clean sheets for City. No other team in the Premier League has more clean sheets than City.

Ilkay Gundogan:

The German midfielder in his fifth season for City has recorded his highest-scoring Premier League season for the club with 12 goals in 25 appearances so far. His previous best for the club was six goals. This has been his most prolific season ever.

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Kevin de Bruyne:

De Bruyne has been one of the best and most consistent players in the league in recent years. Despite not being his most prolific season, he has still had 16 goal involvements in 24 appearances, with five goals and 11 assists. He has controlled the tempo of the team and has been hugely influential in City’s success.

Phil Foden:

The 20-year-old English winger has been one of the emerging players of the season. In his breakout season, he has scored seven goals and made five assists in 25 appearances, and caught everyone’s eyes with his ball-control and dribbling abilities.