City: Season player ratings

Chris Bailey

June 09, 2009

STAR MAN: Stephen Ireland

STAR MAN

STEVIE IRELAND: Superman lived up to his name scoring 13 goals and adding numerous assists in both penalty areas. An outstanding year after deciding to take himself off in the summer and toughen up. 9

SHAY GIVEN: Experience shone through from the moment he arrived. Organises the defence well and is capable of the most breathtaking reflex saves. 8

JOE HART: Started 23 games and won an England cap and remains one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects in the country. 7

MICAH RICHARDS: No one played more games and no one took as much stick from the fans. It wasn't all justified. 7

PABLO ZABALETA: Ran and tackled his way into the supporters' top three and can be pleased with his contribution in defence and midfield. 8

NEDUM ONUOHA: Benefitted from a new training regime and produced a string of top performances from January onwards. 8

RICHARD DUNNE: Mixed year for the skipper, who managed three red cards but had a much better second half of the season. 6

WAYNE BRIDGE Never easy settling into a system half way through a season or moving from one end of country to other. 6

JAVIER GARRIDO Still seems to lack the physical presence for the Premier League and, though technically adept, the Spaniard may be on his way. 5

VINCENT KOMPANY Played through the pain barrier for months after picking up a toe injury. The Belgian looks accomplished in midfield or at the heart of the defence. 8

NIGEL DE JONG: Another to arrive in January and took his time to adapt but has the hunger and attitude do really well. 7

ELANO: A real mixture from the Brazilian, who is brilliant when he is on form, and too often anonymous when not in the mood. 7

GELSON FERNANDES: A bundle of positivity but not going to be a first choice any time soon and may move on in summer. 5

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS Still, perhaps, doesn't score as many as he would like but his pace and trickery are a huge asset to the team. 7

ROBINHO No one can argue with his goal return or his natural skills and, if he could add a bit more graft, the Brazilian superstar would be even better. 8

FELIPE CAICEDO: Still only 20-years-old, and technically more than decent, and finished the season as first choice striker. Needs to learn to do more without the ball. 6

CRAIG BELLAMY Instant impact on the pitch and in the dressing room. Will be a great addition next season if he can stay fit. 7

DANNY STURRIDGE Not likely to be at City next season and that is a shame because he has ability even if it is raw and unfinished. 6

JO Farmed out to Everton on loan after just 13 league and cup starts. It may have benefitted him physically, hope so. 5

VALERI BOJINOV Fans like him and it is easy to see why. Barrel chested and all hustle and bustle but still a bit of an impact player. 6

Agree with the ratings? Have your say.

Submit Comments | Comments (38) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Kippax Lover, Failswerf, Manchester (09/06/2009 at 10:44)

Why is Danny Mills not on this list? Can you give a negative score?

I wouldn't rate Robinho above SWP for last season. I thought Robinho was a 9 in some games but a 4 in others. 7 for the whole season for Robson de Souza.

Best signings this season? 1. Given 2. Zabaleta 3= Kompany / SWP.

Stumpy_MCFC, Dublin (09/06/2009 at 11:06)

Robinho was way much better than SWP this season - still not of end result to SWP's flash play - will not argue with the ratings. Missing one for the Manager who I think was a 7 - Euro 1/4, top 10 and all in a very trying time. Next season the expectations are going to be very much higher Mark.

Neville's Corner Calamity, Corner Flag (09/06/2009 at 11:55)

I don't expect Ireland to continue to be first choice after half way through the season, Robinho will score less but create more. VK will have to play defense even though he doesn't want to, Zabaleta won't get enough games to keep him at the club, Elano, Bojinov and Petrov will go soon!
I'd sign Valencia and flog SWP, not bothered about Sturridge it's just save us some money, Dunne is looking like he'll be off which is a shame as he's tops with a left sided partner.

Phil Neal's Laxative, In a Shay Given wonderland (09/06/2009 at 11:55)

"numerous assists in both penalty areas"

Am I missing something here or are you heaping praise on Super Stevie for his part in creating goals for the opposition?

A noble gesture for sure, but don’t encourage the lad!

roy harper (09/06/2009 at 12:07)

SWP 8 points surely. He often does the work of two men.

PO (09/06/2009 at 12:14)

I probably wouldn't disagree with this assessment other than Richards shouldn't have been rated higher than Dunne or Bridge whose low ratings were not down to there own making in my book. In other words, taking into account what they had to contend with, I'd actually rate them higher than some of the other players.

Bridge suffered from not having a proper left winger like Petrov in front of him who he could feed or who could track back and cover his defensive roll whilst he pushed forward meaning that he was running up and down the whole left side of the pitch like a mad man.

Dunney had to cover central and right back positions for the early part of the season and not having a settled back four meant that he was under too much pressure. I think we have two excellent defenders in Dunne and Bridge but they need more support.

Blue Benny (09/06/2009 at 12:50)

I can't understand why Glauber Berti isn't mentioned he never put a foot wrong all season

Dragoslav Stepanovic (09/06/2009 at 12:59)

Zabaleta first choice right back next year. Richards nowhere.
Kompany centre half, hopefully with Lescott (or K Toure).
Forwards - Bellamy, Santa Cruz, Robinho, Tevez....hmmm
Petrov fit or replaced by another left sider and then job done

wrighty city, city (09/06/2009 at 13:08)

What about Berti's performances on and off the Bench - 10!

SWP mini me ball boy - 8

Ballboy Man U game threw ball in Ronaldo's face - 9

Man City crowd Hamburg - 10

Eastbourne Blue, Eastbourne (09/06/2009 at 13:10)

Sorry - no way a 7 for Micah Richards.

Bugsy Blue (09/06/2009 at 13:20)

Where's Berti?

Tommy "Chopper" C, Oz. (09/06/2009 at 13:27)

Nevilles corner calamity....Hmmmm, you may be onto something, given the right arrivals.

Earth (09/06/2009 at 13:30)

Why no mention for Ched Evans, Darius Vassel, Didi Hamann, Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov? They all played more or less similar games to Fernandes/Jo/Sturridge and more than Bojinov.

And what about Berti - a massive 10. Didn't put a foot wrong every time I saw him!

Tommy "Chopper" C, Oz. (09/06/2009 at 13:32)

So overall we averaged somewhere between 7 and 8 for all players? Don`t agree with that Chris, a few players overscored here. Richards, Roby, Bojinov and SWP were a bit generous, but hey its all about opinions.

Goater's Lovechild, Bolton (09/06/2009 at 13:50)

Berti = 10.

wrighty city, city (09/06/2009 at 13:51)

What about Berti's performances on and off the bench! - 10

SWP mini me ball boy - 10

Crowd at Hamburg Game - 10

Next Season - off the scale!

MBLUED, UK (09/06/2009 at 13:53)

i dont mean to be controversial but players like Ireland yes he has been great for us in parts this season, never really shone against the big clubs, and isnt a player good enough if we want to be a top 4 team

MBLUED, UK (09/06/2009 at 13:56)

sad really to see the decline of petrov , thought he was a real world class player before the injury , however looked hal the player he was when he came back
dnt understand the fans who to me go completely OTT on Bojinov, he seems a tryer, but has no pace , doesnt look fit or toned, and def not good enough if we want to be top 4

Jack (09/06/2009 at 15:02)

MBLUED - got to disagree fella, Stevie Ireland is one of the most naturally gifted footballers at the club. He played plenty of quality balls around last season too but more often than not they weren't anticipated by his team mates which made him look like he was giving the ball away. Quality footballer and a grafter too.

Jack (09/06/2009 at 15:06)

Got to agree with PO too - first half of the season Dunnie was trying to cover his own position and often his fullbacks too, making him look a bit of a lemon. Not a quality footballer like Ireland but as part of a stable back 4, totally solid defender.

MBLUED, UK (09/06/2009 at 15:15)

i agree with you about Ireland he has a lot of natural ability, and played well for most the seasons, still I didnt see him shine or perform exceptionally in any of the really big games against top 4 and I think for where we want to get to and for what we want to achieve , he will be a squad player at best, if we want to be top 4 then champions league contenders, we need players who would get into a world best squad , I suppose they would have to be in at least the top 50 players in the world, and ireland however gifted comes nowhere near to this, Real MAdrid, Barcelona, etc the real big boys having been banging on our door for him, He isnt talked about in the same breath as Kaka, Messi Fabregas etc and bearing in mind his position, this is the level of player we need if we are going to achieve what we want city to achieve

LA Blue, LA (09/06/2009 at 15:27)

I'd agree with them scores except for one.... Wayne Bridge is at least a 5. I've been saying it for months... he CANNOT & WILL NOT use his RIGHT foot. I'm rubbish at footy but I still use my wrong foot when I need to.
Time & time again he could make a quick pass inside to keep our attack going when he's facing our goal but instead he has to welly it back to Given with his left foot cause he' WON'T use his right.
I'd be glad to see him go.

Tipperary Blue (09/06/2009 at 15:34)

Zabaleta ran a lot but not always constructively;

SWP barely had 5 decent games for the club. How does this merit a 7?
Elano spent most of the season throwing the rattle out of his pram. How does this merit a 7?
Richard Dunne should have been given at least half of Micah Richards rating since he spent most of the season covering for him
a 5 would be too generous a rating for Sturridge.
Kompany looked anything but accomplished at the heart of the defence and his passing was frequently shocking.Also tailed off badly in the second half of the season.
When the MEN were proclaiming Micah Richards was 'back to his best', tv pundits were highlighting with disbelief his shocking habit of ambling back to his defensive station after his headless chicken forward runs.

Yadda, yadda, yadda

You're spot on about Ireland though
(1 out of 10 ain't bad)

Sam Haggar Stephen Ireland is a Blue (09/06/2009 at 15:51)

I would given Dunne a 7 and Richards a 6 i think dunne has been better than ricahrds

Jack (09/06/2009 at 16:03)

Fair point, but how many of the rest of our current players would get anywhere near a team made up of the calibre of players you mention? For me he's one of the best of our current squad, would walk into the England team never mind the Irish and will only get better playing with the type of quality players around him that you mention. As you can tell I'm a big Ireland fan and only hope that I am right about him getting better when/if we get any top players joining the Blues. Roll on August.

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