Swindon Town vs Man City player ratings!
City started off the match with a lot of confusion among its fans, specially with many feeling that City are in deep trouble due to the Covid outbreak. All those doubts were put to rest when the teams came out. City put out a team that could easily have even beaten Bayern Munich. The team was that strong. The Swindon players would have surely been start struck by the players on display. It was a win – win situation for Swindon fans. They could either celebrate an upset or they could celebrate seeing arguably one of the greatest Midfield trio in the history of the Premier League.
Jack Steffen – 8
Did not have many saves to make, but his decision making to come out quickly off the line on a few occasions was superb. There were a few occasions when Swindon players pressed Steffen, but he camly played out from the back. I think Steffen is ready to give Ederson some serious competition for his place
Kyle Walker- 9
Walker looked in ominous form. the way he was marauding forward made me jump up in delight. This was as fresh and confident a Kyle walker i have seen in a while. Walker is ready to take over the second half of the season.
Ruben Dias – 8
He seems to be the constant among the rotation. Who ever you put beside him seems to perform well. Ruben is just 24 and he is already a leader. People say defenders come into their prime at 27, but looking at Ruben, just imagine the beast he will be at 27. Didn’t have much to do in the game, put in a few strong tackles and played out from the back well.
Nathan Ake – 10
What an imperious defender Ake is turning into. Swindon left a striker high up and targeted him, both with physicality and pace. The way Ake eased the attackers off the ball numerous times without any last ditch tackles was a testament to how much he has improved. He might be behind both John Stones and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order, but i do feel that when it comes to one on one defending, he ranks in the top 3 defenders in the Premier League
Joao Cancelo – 9
It looked as if i was watching Mesut Ozil in his absolute prime at Real Madrid. Some of those outside of the foot passes are just out of this world. The best thing about this City team is the way all of them learn from each other. I am sure Kevin De Bruyne would have had a role in Cancelo going to God mode in his passing. One of his shot struck the outside of the netting, when all of us thought that the ball went in. He looks at home in that Lb position
Rodri – 9
Rodri is surely the best CDM in the world right now. The way he controlled the tempo of the game and switched the play was excellent. For me, the stand out thing in his performance was the way he brought down a Swindon player when they were away on the counter. These skills are not much appreciated but they are absolutely crucial when you are the holding midfielder in a Pep Guardiola team.
Gundogan -9
An other player who looked back to his absolute best. There was a joy on Gundogan’s face, specially with the runs he made late into the box towards the fag end of the match. His control and his passing meant that Swindon were suffocated in the midfield
Kevin De Bruyne – 9
He strode like a monarch around the pitch. The panache in his passing was back. For me, Kevin looked a bit rusty a month ago, he was giving the ball away cheaply and his weight of the pass was also not that good. But yesterday, his usual close control was back and it looked like we have our old kevin De Bruyne back and raring to go.
Bernardo silva- 8
He should have had a hat-trick in the first 20 mins. Missed a couple of easy chances by his standards. What he did not miss was the fantastic control and flair. Also, his run into the box for the opener was fantastic. It was not an easy run to make from the midfield. He had a free role and was constantly changing positions with Palmer and Debruyne. I think Bernardo Silva is the heart beat of this fluid system.
Gabriel Jesus- 7
He was great at pressing and played with high energy. He took his goal very well and the finish was top notch. This is what frustrates me so much about Gabriel Jesus. He scores difficult goals and he messes up open goals and easy tap- ins. His penalty miss summed up why he is at the top of the list for big chances missed in the Premier League.
Cole Palmer- 10
Start him against Chelsea! This kid has broken down the door and stormed his way into our first team. He looked like he belonged in every aspect of the game. His positional fluidity was way beyond his years. He played atleast 3 positions yesterday, constantly interchanging places with Bernardo and Kevin. He played in tight areas and never gave away the ball, not even once. His skill to take out 2 defenders for our first goal was delicious. That cross across the box for Bernardo Silva to tap in is a picture book Pep Guardiola goal. An other youngster has broken into the first team and he is ready for first team football.
