MAN CITY Season Ratings: Goalkeepers and Defenders
30 May
Our incredible season is over, and with third place and the FA Cup under our belt, here are my season ratings.
Hart - For a goalkeeper so young, the most striking aspect was his consistency. Even the best in the world make mistakes, but I can only think of one (at home to Blackburn) all season. Fantastic shot-stopper, commands his box well and showed that his concentration was good with three excellent saves in the big matches against Spurs, United and Stoke. Needs to work on his distribution but could be our number one for the next decade at least - 7.5
Given - Was desperately unfortunate that Hart was in such consistently good form. One of the best ‘keepers in the league but only managed four starts in all competitions. Will leave in the summer but with the best wishes of the club. Served us well for eighteen months - 6
Taylor - Didn’t play a single minute during the season but is a good squad man. Experienced and happy to play third fiddle. Expect him to replicate that again next season - N/A
Richards - Mancini has worked with him throughout the season, improving his positional play and concentration and all that hard work is paying dividends. Picked up an injury which kept him out for a while, but either side of that his performances were right up there. Full of pace and power when he bombs forward and a more than useful threat in the air. Chipped in with a couple of important goals as well, though Fabio Capello still doesn’t rate him, oddly - 7
Boateng - A very mixed season for the man I affectionately call J-Bo. Didn’t manage a pre-season after he injured his knee, as only a City player can, by being hit by a plane trolley. Looked impressive at centre-back whenever given the chance, but less assured in either fullback position. Finished the campaign as he started, injured. Bayern Munich are rumoured to be interested in him, though I expect him to stay - 6
Zabaleta - A hugely underrated presence in the squad. His versatility means that he’s often played out of position but always does a good job for the team. Without doubt his best season for the club, whether at left back, right back or even midfield. A fans’ favourite - 7.5
Boyata - Still incredibly young in terms of match experience but Mancini trusted him in a number of big games, such as the home win against Chelsea where he was fantastic at right back. His sending off after only four minutes against Arsenal set him back, but was regularly on the bench again at the back end of the season. I think he would benefit from a season out on loan at a Premier League side - 6
K. Touré - Looking over the ratings I gave him at the start of the season, I realised how good he had been. Formed an impressive partnership with Kompany and had nailed down his starting place ahead of Lescott, but then the news broke of his drugs suspension and that was his season done and dusted. It’s good news for him that he will be able to return in September, but now been overtaken by Lescott and there is talk of us signing another centre-back. But a good man to have around the squad, and the role he plays in helping Yaya should not be ignored - 6
Kompany - What a season! An absolute rock at the back all year long, deservedly being named in the PFA Team of the Year. Won many admirers for his clinical defending, snuffing out danger and then showing the composure to bring the ball out from the back. Formed a good partnership with whoever and will be the captain if Tévez leaves - 9
Lescott - Towards the end of the season, he started to consistently display the form which prompted Mark Hughes to spend so much on him. Commanding, decisive and managed to score a few as well. Was good to see after a tough start to the season, where he was left with Europa League games due to the form of Touré and Kompany. We’ve been linked with another centre-back, but J-Lo will feel aggrieved if he doesn’t start the season as first choice - 7
Kolarov - Very underwhelming. Missed a large part of the season through injury, but looked a shadow of the player we all thought we had signed. City beat off competition from José Mourinho for his signature, and I’m happy to accept he must be good if The Special One wanted him, but failed to show why he was in demand. Unbelievably sluggish at the back, so slow on the turn and can’t read a game, but does offer a threat going forward. Will score goal of the season at some point, but must stop shooting from ridiculous distances and angles - 5.5
Bridge - Featured a handful of times before being shipped out to West Ham on loan for the second half of the season. If there are any takers, he will leave in the summer - 5
Also played: Greg Cunningham and Ryan McGivern - Only played one game each, though both spent valuable time out on loan. Cunningham signed a new contract at the start of the season so expect him to go out on loan again next season, whilst McGivern will likely leave the club.
Do you agree with those ratings? How would you assess the performances of our goalkeepers and defenders this season?
I actually think you’ve been a tad harsh on Lescott, not with your words, but with your rating, he had a superb end to the season.
” Will score goal of the season at some point, but must stop shooting from ridiculous distances and angles”
>>> Hahaha that made me giggle!
“If there are any takers, he will leave in the summer”
>>> i was hoping he’d have a blinder of a season for West Ham so someone would want to sign him…but that has not been the case – need to get him off the wages, along with McGivern because unfortunately with the money at our disposal, we can do MUCH better.
Like these articles, have been a long time coming (!) but i look forward to the next one
Can’t disagree with any of your rankings. Like you I can’t believe Kolorav is as poor as he appeared this season. I’d like to see him get a full pre-season under his belt and give him another go. That left-foot is certainly a weapon if harnessed properly.
PEOPLE! Need help. Who knows a reliable guide agency? Or how I can get tickets for local match of Mancester United?
Fair rating. I do not think City needs a CB as we have Boateng who is as good as anyone else. What City needs is a great left back till time takes its course and our rose bud left-back Kolarov blossoms.
Despite the fact that Lescott had a superb end of season [which I truly hope it continues to get better], I do not think He and Richards should get the same score overall.
Siamack is absolutely right. Boateng can fill in next to Kompany and make a great Center-Back pairing. And with Richards at right back, all we need is a Left-Back and we will be set. Zabs also gives us good cover at either full-back, and Lescott and King Kolo give us sufficient cover at center back
I think your ratings are more of a 2011 view then an entire season.
And our starting line-up is averaging a 6 with goalkeepers and defenders, surely it should be at least a 7 if not 8 for finishing third with one of the best defensive records in the league.
Don’t want to imagine what you’re going to rate the rest of our squad.
Don’t forget Jo’s strike against Juventus!
I’m confused sorry. What do you mean about our starting line up averaging a 6? From these players above, Hart, Richards, Zabaleta, Kompany and Lescott finished the season as first choice, and all of them got well above 6..
Just can’t believe we are letting Gudetti go to Holland! He’s by far our most talented for a long long time! Next season is like taylor made for his breake thruogh. The money men have to get more convincing – yesterday!
Kolarov should become a new Stuart Pearce. He’s got all the tools. Guidetti should have been given match time instead of Jo, then we would be keeping him. He is a goal threat every time he gets on a football field.
Apart from his passion, leadership, positional awareness and bone crunching tackling ability!
Keep up the great posts VFAB.