MANCHESTER CITY players have provided more Dream Team points than any other team over the last five years.
However, Pep Guardiola’s starting line-ups are difficult to predict and so it’s not always that easy for gaffers to capitalise.
With the Citizens aiming to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title, let’s analyse their top stars, bargain options and players to avoid ahead of the new campaign.
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TOP STARS
Erling Haaland (£8.5m) is the most-expensive player in the game for a reason.
The Norwegian poacher has plundered 90 goals in 98 games in all competitions since joining City – including NINE hat-tricks!
In defence, Josko Gvardiol (£4.5m) is the standout option having finished last season in sparkling form.
Previously seen as a resolute centre-back, the Croatia international is in the process of developing into a left-back capable of playing a decisive hand in the final third.
He enjoyed a rare scoring streak during the run-in to help secure City another league crown and, more recently, he produced a De Bruyne-esque assist against Barcelona in pre-season.
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Elsewhere, Phil Foden (£6.5m) amassed 392 points to top the rankings last season and so he has to be considered a top-tier option.
The 24-year-old notched 26 goals and 13 assists in 2023/24 but Dream Team bosses should be aware that his workload may be managed across the first few Gameweeks following the Euros.
Kevin De Bruyne (£6.5m) has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but it now appears he’ll stick around for another season.
The brilliant Belgian playmaker has long been a phenomenal Dream Team asset – last season he registered more assists than any other player despite the fact he missed approximately half of the campaign through injury.
BARGAIN OPTIONS
Given that Man City are the team to beat, it stands to reason that their players come at a significant cost.
But while there are no outright bargains, there are some assets who could offer value-for-money in the mid range.
Take Jack Grealish (£3.5m) for example.
The 28-year-old played a subsidiary role last season, partly because he suffered a succession of ill-timed injury niggles.
However, if he gets the nod from Guardiola then his price could look rather generous come September.
Gaffers know what Grealish is capable of when everything clicks.
We wouldn’t recommend backing Rico Lewis (£3m) from the get-go but there’s every chance the 19-year-old improves his place in the pecking order this season.
Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb (£2m) has looked lively in pre-season and it would be classic Guardiola to suddenly install the young Norway international as a regular starter in the front three.
But again, gaffers should be patient.
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PLAYERS TO AVOID
Not only did Julian Alvarez (£4.5m) go the distance with Argentina at Copa America, he’s representing his country at the Olympics in Paris.
He won’t have had much of a break at all by the time the new Premier League campaign gets underway, which isn’t ideal.
Plus, his minutes are limited when both Haaland and De Bruyne are fit.
Finally, Dream Team bosses should be wary of City defenders not named Gvardiol.
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There’s not much between Ruben Dias (£4.5m), John Stones (£4.5m), Manuel Akanji (£4.5m), Nathan Ake (£4.5m) and Kyle Walker (£4m) and some will inevitably start on the bench.
It’s generally wise to wait for a clearer indication of Guardiola’s pecking order.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
