It’s fair to say that Manchester City fans are delighted in the Transfer Tavern after their recent form, which has seen Pep Guardiola really implement his attacking scheme into his previously struggling side.

Though our landlord warns that City really need to shore up their defence, Citizens punters in the Tavern do not mind as long as their side are playing attacking football and outscoring their opponents and, most importantly, winning games.

Things will need to change defensively if City are to enjoy sustained success in the next few years but with Guardiola set to have a few more transfer windows at his disposal, his options at the back may well swell in the coming campaigns.

Alongside this, it should be noted that the Citizens currently possess one of the most impressive youth academies within English football, alongside rivals Manchester United and Premier League leaders Chelsea – Man City can be really proud of the facilities and all-round quality of their youth structure.

This excites City fans further and has sparked debate in the Transfer Tavern as to who could be in the starting XI in the next couple of years. It has caused quite the discussion, so our landlord has decided to draw up the XI that could be representing Man City in five years time…

GK: Angus Gunn

Whilst Claudio Bravo and Willy Cabellero battle it out currently for City’s number one spot, young Angus Gunn has been following the footsteps of his father, Bryan Gunn, as the England U21 international looks to make the City number one spot his own in the coming years.

CB: John Stones

Although heavily criticised this season, there is no doubt that Stones is a vital cog in the Manchester City machine and the England man is simply too good a footballer not to improve.

CB: Tosin Adarabioyo

Adarabioyo impressed Guardiola in pre-season where he picked up man of the match for an impressive display against Borussia Dortmund and could be in the side before too long.

CB: Aymeric Laporte

There is no doubt that Guardiola loves Laporte’s style of football and our landlord is convinced that he will become part of the Manchester City furniture sooner rather than later – especially with The Mirror reporting interest in January.

RWB: Pablo Maffeo

Maffeo, who is currently on loan at Girona FC, impressed in pre-season and with Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabeleta not getting any younger, his chance could come sooner rather than later.

CM: Aleix García Serrano

Aleix Garcia has the discipline to play in the middle of the park for Manchester City and according to our landlord, he will surely be a City star with this next couple years.

Watch this space.

CM: Olivier Ntcham

French midfielder Ntcham has been on loan at Genoa since 2015 and has been heavily impressive for the Italian side. Our landlord expects Ntcham to take up the mantle of the Manchester City midfield within the next five years.

LWB: Angeliño

Angeliño or José Ángel Esmorís Tasende is currently on loan at Mallorca and if City decide to go for the 3-4-3 formation in the next few years, he could well be vital in the transformation for this City side.

RW: Raheem Sterling

In five years, City fans are frothing at the mouth at the prospect of Sterling.

The former Liverpool man has loads of potential to fulfil and the attacking philosophy of Pep Guardiola could well bring the best out of him.

ST: Gabriel Jesus

The new kid of the block should be at City for years to come and City fans in the Transfer Tavern cannot wait to see the development of their Brazilian wonderkid.

LW: Leroy Sané

Sané is still just 21 years of age but has put in a lot of impressive performances for Pep Guardiola’s side this season. Our landlord expects him to be a vital cog in City’s rise to the top of the Premier League in years to come.

Thoughts, Man City fans? Let us know below!