Man City 2023/24 season review: Top scorers, assists & player of the year
Manchester City were able to grasp their fourth successive Premier League title after beating West Ham on the final day of a thrilling 2023/24 season.
They weren’t able to repeat the efforts of their treble winning campaign, but did stop Arsenal from lifting their first league title in 20 years.
Here’s a look back at City’s 2023/24 title winning campaign.
Rodri
This is a tough choice for a team like City who have so many brilliant players at their disposal, but Rodri was monumental in the team’s title charge and represents the very best of Guardiola’s squad.
When Rodri is on the pitch, City are guaranteed a win. He played a huge role during their unbeaten streak from December to May and returned with a crucial goal on the final day against West Ham to lift the Premier League trophy.
For a holding midfielder, Rodri outperforms so many players on the pitch, adding threat in the final third. This takes his game to another level, offering strength in attack and terrifying the opposition’s defence.
Honourable mentions: Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol.
Phil Foden vs West Ham
Every Angle! 🚀
Enjoy @PhilFoden’s first strike against West Ham from the final day 🙌
🤝 @NexenTireUSA pic.twitter.com/QTByG1cJvD
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 21, 2024
Manchester City bagged 149 goals during the 2023/24 season, but Phil Foden’s first strike against West Ham on the final day of the season certainly stands out among the rest.
There’s so many reasons for this goal to be admired. First of all, it came in just the second minute of the game, when the whole nation flicked between City’s game and Arsenal’s to see who would lift the league trophy.
It was also simply a magnificent strike, flying into the top corner with precision and speed. Foden’s goal was the perfect end to his admirable season and the 24-year-old was even able to secure another after this.
Honourable mentions: Rodri vs West Ham, Oscar Bobb vs Newcastle United, Cole Palmer vs Arsenal, Jeremy Doku vs Man Utd
Man City 6-1 Bournemouth
City’s dominant display over Bournemouth in November was quite a sight to behold, as Guardiola’s squad boasted five different goal scorers at the Etihad.
It was also a game in which Jeremy Doku dazzled, scoring the opener against the Cherries before registering four further assists. The win also fired City back to the top of the table, where they would inevitably finish at the end of the season.
Bournemouth’s single strike in the 78th minute from Luis Sinisterra was merely shaken off by City, who responded with yet another chance to make it 6.
Honourable mentions: Man City 3-1 Man Utd, Chelsea 4-4 Man City, Man City 4-1 Aston Villa
Josko Gvardiol
It took a small amount of time for Josko Gvardiol to settle, but once he did, the former RB Leipzig defender was unstoppable in a City shirt.
Guardiola made the decision to move the 22-year-old into a left-back role, as opposed to his previous centre-back position, and here he shone, registering five goals in seven games.
He arrived with high expectations on his shoulders, but easily became one of City’s most reliable assets by the end of the season. The future is so bright for Gvardiol, who already has three City trophies on his CV.
Honourable mention: Jeremy Doku
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez came on leaps and bounds for City during the 2023/24 season, going from Erling Haaland’s backup to a crucial member of Guardiola’s squad.
He recorded 19 goals across all competitions, an increase of two from the previous season, but was able to make 54 appearances, an increase of five from 49. It wasn’t his goal output that marked his improvement though, instead his creativity in creating chances on the pitch.
Gvardiol provided eight more assists in the 2023/24 season, highlighting his importance in attack.
Honourable mention: Phil Foden
Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes‘ career at City will not have started the way he wanted it to, and certainly not the way fans wanted it to.
His move from Wolves cost £53m and he has yet to prove he is worth the price tag. He recorded 31 appearances, but was not a regular starter, despite once being expected to fill Kalvin Phillips‘ boots.
He will be given the benefit of the doubt for his first season, but improvements will have to be made if he is to remain a part of Guardiola’s squad going forward.
Dishonourable mention: Jack Grealish