Champions League 2018-19: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, 5 key players who will decide the game

#3 Aymeric Laporte

Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion - FA Cup Semi Final

Manchester City's rock at the back of the defence - this man has been brilliant in his second season at the club. He helps to push the defensive line up, he is comfortable on the ball and he is a good passer. Laporte is perfectly suited to bypass the press of the opponents. But most of his appearances have come at the center-back spot.

Against Tottenham, he might have to play in the left-back spot since Oleksandr Zinchenko is not available and Benjamin Mendy, who just returned from an injury lay-off, played 79 minutes against Brighton the other day in the FA Cup. Laporte made 90 out of 96 attempted passes against Brighton. Incidentally, Laporte played as a left-back against Everton in a game which City won 2-0. The Spaniard won 5 aerials, made 4 tackles, had 95 touches of the ball - the most in a City shirt, and he deservedly won the Man of the Match award.

Trippier, Son or both could be up against Laporte if he plays as a left-back, but he would be looking to bring the house down in north London.