MAN CITY Season Ratings: Strikers

Our incredible season is over, and with third place and the FA Cup under our belt, here are my season ratings. Click here for ratings on goalkeepers and defenders, and here for those of our midfielders.

Balotelli - Deserves a whole article to himself! There’s not a lot I can say that hasn’t already been said about him, but it’s worth remembering he’s only 20, living for the first time away from his friends and family, trying to settle in a new country with a completely different culture and a new language. His family are moving to Manchester to join him next season, so he’ll be far more settled then.

Deep down, I genuinely believe he’s a good kid, someone who needs to feel loved. He’s struggled with bibs, claimed never to have heard of Jack Wilshere, suffered an allergic reaction to grass (which is actually quite serious), thrown darts at youth team players because he was bored, winked at Rio Ferdinand, got umpteen parking tickets, given thousands of pounds to tramps and helped a young kid who was getting bullied.

And in between all that, he’s made nearly thirty appearance, scored ten goals, received eleven bookings and been sent off twice. Some of his performances at the back end of the season, most notably the two games at Wembley, hinted at his settling and some of his play, at times, is breathtaking. We’re in for a hell of a ride next season! - 7

Tévez - Joint winner of the Golden Boot for his wonderful scoring exploits and he was another contender for our player of the season. His workrate and competitive nature are infectious, whilst his goals were invaluable and have led us to third place. His heart isn’t in it though, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he left in the summer. Had a mini-tantrum partway through the season and whilst many City fans, myself included, would like to see Kompany as captain, that will only happen if Carlos leaves, and that is something I don’t want to see. We have shown we can cope in his absense, but we’re a better side when he plays - 8.5

Jo - Was very impressive away at Fulham when we won 4-1 but other than that, was his usual self. No endeavour, no commitment, no bravery and no footballing ability. Will be off in the summer and won’t be missed - 4

Džeko - It’s always tough joining a side partway through a season, let alone one playing in a different country and a completely different style of football to what you are used to, so those fans who have written Dzeko off should take a long look at themselves. Scored a couple of important goals including the winner against Blackburn and the equaliser away to Notts County and showed signs of settling towards the end of the season. Once he’s got a full pre-season under his belt, he’ll be fine - 6

Adebayor - A few bright performances at the start of the season but failed to produce any consistency. Far too half-hearted when, in his words, the ‘love was missing’. Somehow wiggled his way to Real Madrid, but they won’t buy him in the summer and we need someone to free us of his wages - 5

Also played: Roque Santa Cruz and Alex Nimely – The Paraguayan barely featured and was shipped out on loan to former club Blackburn during the January transfer window. He is certain to move away from City permanently in the summer. Nimely was earmarked as a possible star but has regressed over the past two seasons and his only first team action came away at Juventus in the Europa League when we had already qualified.

Do you agree with those ratings? How would you assess the performances of our strikers this season?