Premier League winners

Two of Pep Guardiola's squad are awarded 10 out of 10 for their contributions to the club's fourth title in five seasons.

Eight goals from a player signed as a centre-forward is far too low and continues a pattern: in six seasons the Brazilian has managed double figures only twice, registering a high of 14 in 2019-20 and 13 two years before. An undesired penchant for missing chances remains but Sterling can be a game-winner who this season has reverted to the driving-at-defenders forward of his earlier days at City. 8 But factor in how he can operate across attack and in midfield and how Guardiola often plumps for him as the false 9 and a richer understanding is allowed of a footballer whose ability to dazzle can suck the air from any onlooker. From full-back (mainly the left flank) Cancelo is a creative force with an eye for a pass and his geometric awareness of traffic and space is Toni Kroos-like. If Cancelo can be caught out via a quick counterattack this is a byproduct of City’s high line. What he offers is metronomic reliability and a teak-tough mentality: how the Ukrainian has performed so superbly during the harrowing invasion of his homeland by Russia is admirable. This is credit, too, to the rest of the rearguard and the attacking players: the 83 goals scored in 2020-21 has been eclipsed with 99.