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Defence
Right-back: Kyle Walker
The 31-year-old Kyle Walker joined Manchester City in 2017 and has been a mainstay at right-back for Pep Guardiola's side. Last season, Walker made the fewest appearances in the league since he arrived. However, due to a lack of options in the position, the Englishman is expected to keep his place in City's starting XI next season.
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Walker made 24 appearances in the league for Manchester City last season, scoring once and assisting once. He also represented England in the European Championship this summer and had an impressive campaign. Walker was voted into the Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament.
His superb performances for England should more or less assure his place in Manchester City's starting XI next season.
Centre-back: Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias joined Manchester City last summer from Portuguese side Benfica. The Etihad side had to dish out €68 million for the centre-back's services while also including Nicolas Otamendi in the deal.
Dias, though, went on to prove why he was acquired for such a large sum, as he steadied the often shaky Manchester City defence. With Dias in the starting XI, City conceded just one goal every game on average.
His superb performances for the side saw him win the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year awards. As well as winning Manchester City's Player of the Season honour, Dias will likely be a starter in the side next season as well.
Centre-back: John Stones
John Stones formed a remarkable partnership with Ruben Dias at the heart of Manchester City's defence last season.
Stones had been a regular for Pep Guardiola's side since arriving in 2016. However, a series of unconvincing performances saw him linked with a move away from the club two seasons ago after making just 16Premier League appearances.
The arrival of Dias, though, proved to be the turning point in Stones' career at City. The Englishman regained the form that had made him the most expensive defender in the world in 2016. With John Stones and Ruben Dias, City went on a run of 16 clean sheets in 20 games across competitions.
His superb performances saw him included in the Premier League Team of the Season. Stones also managed to play himself back into the plans of England boss Gareth Southgate, and was a starter for his country at Euro 2020.
Left-back: Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo joined Manchester City in 2019 and had a rather frustrating debut campaign, starting just 13 games in the Premier League. The versatile full-back, though, enjoyed a far better second season, as he made 43 appearances in all competitions.
Cancelo, originally a right-back, can also play at left-back, as he showed numerous times last season. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Season due to his superb performances.
Manchester City have often struggled to find an optimal option at left-back, but Cancelo has since remedied that. The Portuguese should comfortably nail down a starting spot in the team next season.
Midfield
Central midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan enjoyed his best campaign as a Manchester City player last season. The German midfielder was City's top scorer, with 17 goals in all competitions, 13 of them coming in the Premier League.
Gundogan was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. He featured for Germany in the European Championship this summer and started every group-stage game for the country.
Although he did not have the same impact with Germany, Gundogan should return to the starting XI at Manchester City next season.
Central midfielder: Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has established himself as one of the best players in the world over the years at Manchester City. With over 260 games in all competitions, De Bruyne is Pep Guardiola's crown jewel in a star-studded team.
He made 25 appearances in the Premier League for Manchester City last season, scoring six goals and bagging 12 assists. De Bruyne was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and won the PFA Player of the Year award for a second straight season.
An injured De Bruyne represented Belgium at Euro 2020 with aplomb.
Defensive midfielder: Rodri
Rodri joined Manchester City in 2019 and has been a regular in the side since then, making almost 70 league appearances in just two seasons.
He made the most accurate passes from midfield for Manchester City while also averaging the most accurate long balls per game for the side. The Spaniard was also the midfielder with the most tackles and clearances for City in the league last season.
Rodri represented Spain at Euro 2020, where he made five appearances. With the ageing Fernandinho his only competition for the role, Rodri should keep his place in the starting XI at Manchester City next season.
