The EPL 2015-16 season was a disappointing season for Manchester City where they should have cantered to the title with all their title rivals barring Arsenal in either turmoil or in a rebuilding phase. Instead, a flying start to the season was followed by the team stuttering due to form and injuries to key players.
The League Cup victory was more of a consolation rather than an accomplishment given what was expected of Manuel Pellegrini’s team.
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However, the much-awaited arrival of Pep Guardiola signals the beginning of a new era for the Manchester club with the fans expecting the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager to propel the club into its Golden Age of sustained domestic and European glory.
This leads to the important question of who would Pep choose to lead the Citizens during his reign. Although it is less likely that Vincent Kompany will be relieved of the armband but due to his persistent injury problems, Pep could easily opt for a multiple captains system as well.
So, we take a look at the 5 likely choices for donning the captain’s armband for the upcoming season (including Kompany).
#1 Bacary Sagna
Joining from Arsenal after his contract expired in 2014, Bacary Sagna played as a back-up to Pablo Zabaleta in his first season at the club. However, in his second season, a combination of Zabaleta’s injuries and Sagna’s good form helped the Frenchman to usurp the right back spot from the Argentine.
He was a constant fixture in the side and made 45 appearances for the Citizens in the season. He played a key role France’s run to the final of Euro 2016 as he was the first choice right back under Didier Deschamps.
A solid fullback who is good in defence and has a decent delivery in offence, Sagna has still a few more years left in his tank in spite of being 33 years of age. Further, his versatility to play centre back as well is an added bonus.
With Pep Guardiola’s priorities lying in other areas, Sagna might hold down to a first team spot. Having played for Arsenal from 2007 to 2014, who play a similar possession-based game, Sagna will fit in well with Pep’s system.
This gives him an outside chance of being named captain although he is behind the other names on this list for the role.
#2 Vincent Kompany
One of the first signings after Sheikh Mansour of the Abu Dhabi United Group took over the club in 2008, Vincent Kompany quickly established himself as an elite central defender in the league and one of the best defenders in the world.
He was handed the captain’s armband at the start of the 2011-12 season and he was a rock at the back, leading the club to its first ever league title in 44 years. He was named the EPL’s Player of the Season at the end of the same season.
He is also the captain of his national team Belgium and has made 70 appearances so far for the Red Devils.
A physically dominating defender, Kompany is excellent in the air, an astute tackler and a master at reading the game, who makes the players around him perform better when he is on the pitch. However, the Belgian has suffered numerous injuries since he joined City and last season, he made only 14 starts in the league and is set to miss the start of the new season as well.
This prompted new manager Pep Guardiola into asking him to prove his fitness if he wishes to be an integral part of the gaffer’s plans. In spite of the injuries, Kompany is true captain material both on and off the pitch for the Blues and he could still remain captain when the new season gets underway.
#3 Joe Hart
One of the best goalkeepers in the world, Joe Hart has been a mountain between the sticks for Manchester City since he became the official no.1 keeper at the club before the start of 2010-11 season. He has made 347 appearances for the Blues and has won the Golden Glove (award for the highest number of clean sheets kept by a goalkeeper in an EPL season), a joint-record 4 times including 3 times in a row from 2011 to 2013.
He is also the England football team’s no.1 and has picked up 63 caps for the country so far.
Joe Hart played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s two Premier League wins and has often saved several matches for the team. Newly appointed manager Pep Guardiola’s preference for a sweeper keeper at his previous clubs might prompt the Manchester-based club to look for a new keeper and this could jeopardise Hart’s position.
Although prone to an occasional error or two, as was seen in the recently concluded Euros, Hart is one of the best shot-stoppers in the world which was evident when he saved a crucial Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty against PSG in last season’s Champions League round-of-16.
Loved by the club and fans alike and with the likelihood of Pep persisting with him this season, Joe Hart is a very good choice for leading the Citizens.
#4 Sergio Agüero
The deadliest striker in the history of the Premier League with the best goals-to-minutes ratio ahead of the likes of Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Sergio Agüero hit the ground running for the Blues right from when he signed for them in 2011 with a spectacular scoring debut against Swansea.
He scored the winner in the most dramatic final day victory in PL history against Queens Park Rangers to gift Manchester City their first EPL title and the first league title in 44 years. This etched his name forever in the Citizens history as a bona fide Blues legend. He has won the Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008 and has been a constant member of the national team since then.
The diminutive Argentine is excellent in making runs behind defenders, can score comfortably with either foot, and is one of the most lethal finishers in the game today. His 102 goals in 150 games in the PL is a testament to that. He is a big game player as well.
The only drawback in his game is that he is prone to injuries which sideline him for weeks to months at times. Apart from that, he is an absolute fan favourite and one of the most adored player in the PL by neutrals and pundits alike. Guardiola will definitely be counting on him to lead the front line as the club enters a new era.
#5 David Silva
When Spain started their world domination through tiki-taka in 2008 by winning the Euros and followed it up by winning the World Cup in 2010, many questioned the adaptability of Spain‘s highly technical midfielders to the physicality of the PL.
David Silva was the first midfield player to make the switch from La Liga to EPL in 2010 and succeed, thereby paving the way for more to follow. A gifted playmaker with an eye for goal, he has been a vital cog in City’s rise to dominance and glory in England. He has amassed over 100 caps for Spain as well and was an integral part of the Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 winning team.
He possesses a silky touch, always seems to have time on his feet to see a pass, outstanding vision, excellent dribbling skills and is widely regarded by many as the best player to don the City jersey ever. Nagging injuries and the entry of Kevin de Bruyne hampered his playing time and performances last season.
However, with Pep Guardiola at the helm, Silva has a real opportunity to get back to his best and thrive under him, giving him a huge chance of being named as captain for the upcoming season.
