Sports Exploration

5.Kyle Walker (8/10) 

Has built on his excellent finish to last season, when he proved Guardiola wrong following stinging criticism and played a pivotal role in City's run to the treble. Walker had become such an influential figure that his team-mates demanded that he could not leave for Bayern Munich in the summer and he signed a new contract instead.

4.Julian Alvarez (8/10) 

It felt strange for a World Cup-winning striker to play as little as Alvarez did last season, but the Argentine has locked down his place in the team, starting every every league game and playing more minutes than any other City player, including Ederson.3.Erling Haaland (8/10) 

How could Haaland follow up his first record-breaking season in England? By scoring with his first touch of the new campaign, obviously. Haaland's fourth-minute strike at Burnley showed he was in no mood for slowing down. Despite his ferocious goal rate, Haaland is not immune from criticism and he was particularly wasteful against Tottenham, producing perhaps the biggest miss of his City career when he struck wide of a gaping goal.

2.Rodri (9/10) 

The hero of Istanbul has only grown more influential since the Champions League final. He has dominated practically every game he has played, acting as an indomitable force in front of the defence as well as fuelling the attack with incisive balls from deep, not to mention directly contributing to six goals.

1.Phil Foden (9/10) 

Foden was in a strange position last season, watching mostly from the sidelines as City conquered all before them. He had his moments, including a superb performance from the bench in the Champions League final, but it was clear he needed to have a bigger role.