With arguably the strongest squad in the whole of England, it is perhaps surprising that Manchester City have not yet won the league by a landslide as Chelsea did last season and even more surprising that the Blues are not at the top of the Premier League this season.
With the amount of money that the club have spent since their big money takeover in 2009, rival teams’ fans have been sneering at their relatively poor Champions League showings and inability to win the league title by a comfortable margin.
However, with Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola expected to take charge at the helm of the club at the end of the season, City will acquire a huge selling point for any player who is considering a move to the Etihad Stadium.
With the Manchester City fans playing a round of cards expecting a busy summer at their club, we will be creating a dream XI for Guardiola to work with next season featuring City’s current players and their rumoured transfer targets.
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Click the image below to find out who we have selected to be in our Manchester City Dream XI!
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Joe Hart
Joe Hart has established himself firmly now as both Manchester City and England number 1, winning over fans in the process, including goalkeeping veteran Gianluigi Buffon who recently cited the Englishman to be the best goalkeeper in the world.
Having won the Premier League Golden Glove in four of the past five campaigns, the 28-year old keeper is reaching his peak and is capable of pulling off spectacular reflex saves and impressive one-on-ones stops.
Hart has been dropped on several occasions, but he always has a determination to get back to top form and is likely to remain between the City sticks for years to come.
Hector Bellerin
One particular area of the pitch which needs strengthening sooner rather than later in the City camp is the full-back positions.
Whilst former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna has been in incredible form so far this season, both he and combative Argentine Pablo Zabaleta are 30 years of age.
In a position that is perfectly tailored to a younger player, current Arsenal youngster Hector Bellerin is the ideal fit.
The 22-year old has massively impressed this term and City could look to sign yet another of the Gunners’ star players in order to bolster their squad.
Vincent Kompany
Despite suffering from a recurring calf problem which has seen him ruled out for the majority of this season, the City and Belgium skipper is arguably one of the best centre backs in the world.
Despite concerns over his ability to remain fit, Kompany seems confident that he can overcome his troubles. The 29-year old is very much a player who would fit into Guardiola’s style of play which utilises ball-playing defenders who are comfortable on the ball and have good positioning and reading of the game.
City have conceded just one goal this season in games which the Belgian has started and his vital leadership qualities, as well as his threat from set pieces, would certainly be appreciated by Guardiola.
Gerard Pique
City have spent hundreds of millions in the past few years in an attempt to acquire the very best centre backs on the planet.
However, for one reason or another, the Blues’ attempts to create a formidable defensive partnership which rarely concedes has been relatively unsuccessful.
With Nicolas Otamendi arriving at the Etihad from Valencia last summer, Guardiola may not feel the need to recruit another further first-choice centre backs.
But with fans around the Tavern finding it difficult to back the inconsistent Eliaquim Mangala and with Martin Demichelis expected to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season, Guardiola may look to bring in a world class replacement.
Having worked with the Spanish coach during his managerial career at Barcelona, the former Manchester United defender will know all about the demands and style of Guardiola.
The 28-year old is a proven defender, having performed at the highest level for both the Nou Camp outfit and for the Spanish national team.
David Alaba
Another player who will be familiar with Guardiola’s philosophy is left-back David Alaba. Another young full-back who City should be taking a serious look at, the Austrian international is renowned for his pace and power, as well as his talents in both attack and defence, which would make hima direct upgrade on Serbian Aleksander Kolarov.
The 23-year old is currently playing under Guardiola at German giants Bayern Munich and City fans enjoying a few pints at the bar agree that if their reported new manager were to bring any defender from his current club, it would probably be Alaba.
Paul Pogba
Pogba is another ex-player from City’s rivals United who has been consistently linked with a move to the blue half of Manchester over the past few months. Guardiola has reportedly identified the Juventus powerhouse as an essential addition to the City squad, especially since Yaya Toure is expected to be out of favour under the Spaniard due to their relatively poor relationship together at Barcelona.
While many City fans becoming increasingly frustrated by the Ivorian’s laziness and seeming lack of effort at times, his French counterpart Pogba is one of the best young talents in the world.
Pogba is one of the best signings that City could make to improve their squad and City fans will know all about his ability after he impressed in both fixtures against City in their Champions League group this term.
Fernandinho
Relatively unknown when he made the £30 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk, the Brazilian workhorse has fast become a fan favourite around the Transfer Tavern.
Whilst Guardiola tends to avoid box-to-box midfielders, he may well have to make an exception in the 30-year old’s case, or at least make use of his impressive defensive abilities, otherwise he may face an uproar from the drunken City supporters who loiter around in the Tavern.
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City fans in the Tavern are still pulling out their smartphones and laughing at the newspaper headline which labelled Kevin De Bruyne as a ‘£50 million reject’ following his move from Bundesliga outfit in the summer.
Since then, he has proved his worth and his substantial pricetag has almost been forgotten about with the Belgian playmaker scoring 5 goals and providing 8 assists in 16 league appearances this campaign.
The 23-year old is expected to be a big part of City’s future and Guardiola will know all too well about the attacking midfielder after he bagged a brace against Bayern Munich last season.
Lionel Messi
Having just won the Ballon D’Or for the fifth time, there is no doubt amongst everybody in the Transfer Tavern that the diminutive Argentine is the best player in the best team in the world right now.
Amongst Manchester City fans, however, there is a common, subtle belief that Messi may someday be plying his trade at the Etihad Stadium alongside international striker partner Sergio Aguero.
Messi’s dribbling, strength, passing and finishing would make him a welcome addition to any team, but should Guardiola be able to convince Messi, who he managed at Barcelona, to come to Manchester, City would certainly be genuine contenders for the prestigious Champions League title.
Raheem Sterling
Last year’s Golden Boy winner was signed from Premier League rivals Liverpool for an initial fee of £44 million in the summer and, despite being only 20 years of age, has already proven himself internationally with his efforts in the Champions League, as well as with the England national team.
The winger will only get better as he continues to play around some of the world’s finest talents. The Englishman, who has netted 12 goals in all competitions and has created a further 7 goals for teammates, could certainly become a major component in Guardiola’s side.
Sergio Aguero
Last but certainly not least is fan favourite Sergio Aguero. Expected to stay at City before returning to boyhood club Independiente when his current contract expires in 2019, the Argentine has a phenomenal goalscoring record for the Blues and is fast approaching the 100 goals marks for City.
The striker has been unfortunate with injuries in the past couple of months, but finally looks to be getting back to his usual goalscoring self with a string of impressive performances.
The 28-year old is already a club legend after winning City their first Premier League title with the last minute winner against QPR in 2012, and many supporters around the Tavern would claim that he is their best ever player.
He could also be another key factor in any deal which sees his compatriot and close friend Lionel Messi join the Citizens.
