How many City players get into Pep Guardiola's Best XI?

[B20]

Close, but they’re up against Alves, Busquets & Iniesta. Probably in most all time GOAT level lists in their position. Insane indeed.

And Lahm

 

[B20]

I think Kyle Walker has the best shout ya know.

I think I'd still pick Lahm and Alves ahead of him.

 

[Ish]

I don't know how, but you'd have to find a spot for De Bruyne somehow.

Most logical move would be to shift iniesta out left forward and play KdB in the middle with Busquets and Xavi. Thinking about it, I’m not even sure KdB suits that “Barca” DNA at their absolute peak. Especially as his creativity isn’t even required as everything usually went through Messi anyway. Strange thing(s) to ponder, considering just how damn talented KdB is in his own right.

 

[B20]

Most logical move would be to shift iniesta out left forward and play KdB in the middle with Busquets and Xavi. Thinking about it, I’m not even sure KdB suits that “Barca” DNA at their absolute peak. Especially as his creativity isn’t even required as everything usually went through Messi anyway. Strange thing(s) to ponder, considering just how damn talented KdB is in his own right.

In terms of composition, I guess there is a chance he'd be Fabregas'd. Still, he's a level above Fabregas and plays with a different kind of intensity, so would probably find a way.

 

[SirBillNic]

Well you've pretty much just voided your own argument. Unless you think physicality is somehow more important that than being a brilliant footballler. It's not like Sergio struggled with the physical side of the game, he was the lynch pin dm and the best in the world, if not ever in that position. So by your own admission he's better than Rodri, and implying that he would somehow struggle in the premier league is quite frankly laughable. The list of premier league teams he dominanted is extensive.

Rodri is also a brilliant footballer just not as much as Busquets is. But for a team trying to win the premier league he's a better option because his combination of physicality and being a brilliant footballer.

Did I say Busquets would struggle in the league? Saying Rodri would be a more important player in a league-winning team is not the same as saying Busquets would struggle.

Read my post in nuance mode rather than black and white mode and I think you'll see my point.

 

[Ish]

And Lahm

Bloody hell, so fixated on Alves, I’ve even forgotten about Lahm. Walker might be physically above both, but absolutely nowhere near them when it comes to on the ball skill.

 

[MiceOnMeth]

Neuur
Alves pique puyol alba
Biscuits
Xavi iniesta
Messi Henry Ronaldinho

That front three at their respective peaks over ribery, robben, lewa, villa

 

[iHicksy]

Rodri is also a brilliant footballer just not as much as Busquets is. But for a team trying to win the premier league he's a better option because his combination of physicality and being a brilliant footballer.

Did I say Busquets would struggle in the league? Saying Rodri would be a more important player in a league-winning team is not the same as saying Busquets would struggle.

Read my post in nuance mode rather than black and white mode and I think you'll see my point.

I don't even know where you've come up with the nonsense about the premier league to start with, you've just invented some make believe scenario to try and force your opinion to have some validity. Again, the notion that Rodri would somehow be better in the premier league is based on nothing but your own fantasy. There's literally nothing to show that, and that wasn't even anything to do with the original discussion. By your logic Iniesta and Xavi should make way for KDB and Toure because "herp derp big strong prem".

Again best DM in the history of the game, can't cut it in the magical world of the prem. Absolute nonsense.

 

[Red the Bear]

I'd swap Alves with lahm , alaba seems like the weak link, swap villa with one of robben as well.

A case could be made rodri's peak has been higher than biscuits.

KDB wouldn't get in if you don't want to unbalance the team, maybe ake,dias or stones in place of pique? Although stones is a RCB so maybe not.

This thread does make a great point however as even though collectively it's better than his Bayern teams and close to his barca side not many there doesn't seem to be too many outstanding players in them(outstation in the way of having for example)

 

[JPRouve]

----------------Messi
Ribéry-------------------Robben
----------Iniesta----Xavi
--------------Busquets
Lahm--Puyol-Piqué-Dani Alves
-----------------Neuer

 

[Red the Bear]

Imagine being under 50 years old and having already managed so many good players that none of the following make your starting XI:

De Bruyne, Lewandowski, Robben, D. Silva, Henry, Zlatan, Ronaldinho, Villa, Y. Toure, Rodri, Hummels, Kompany, Ederson... And I'm sure that I've forgotten 10 top players too.

Fecking spoiled!

It just occurred to me, he managed Kroos for a year as well!

 

[iHicksy]

I don't understand how Man City wins as much as they do, when their players are this poorly rated. Surely KdB, Rodri, Walker should be close to his best XI team.

It's pretty simple, not sure how you're struggling to grasp this.

His barca side were better than this Man City team and man for man had better players. Hence, his man city team may function better as coached unit (he's been there for 9 seasons after all) but his Bayern players were man for man better than some of his City players also.

Hence it's very difficult to fit them in. KDB is the closest. For example, bayern had Ribery and Robben who were better wide players than anything Pep has had at city, And he's managed far better RB's than Kyle Walker.

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

Rodri over Busquets, De Bruyne over Villa and put Iniesta on the wing or have KDB as a wide creator type.

Again best DM in the history of the game, can't cut it in the magical world of the prem. Absolute nonsense.

Busquets is not the best DM in the history of the game, Rodri this season has had a better season than Busquets ever had. Better range of passing, better physicality, better goal scoring, more overall influence on the team.

 

[Stobzilla]

----------------Messi
Ribéry-------------------Robben
----------Iniesta----Xavi
--------------Busquets
Lahm--Puyol-Piqué-Dani Alves
-----------------Neuer

Yeah, it is this and no one is even knocking on the door of it I don't think. Maybe Kompany for Pique is best shout.

 

[AltiUn]

Think Kompany is better than Pique, personally. If given the choice I'd have had him in there.

I also feel Busquets is substantially better than Rodri, I don't think they belong in the same conversation. To me Rodri seems to have received 90% of the credit for City's success over the last few years which far outweighs his actual importance, he has been very important but he's not the sole reason City are successful.

 

[matsdf]

It's pretty simple, not sure how you're struggling to grasp this.

His barca side were better than this Man City team and man for man had better players. Hence, his man city team may function better as coached unit (he's been there for 9 seasons after all) but his Bayern players were man for man better than some of his City players also.

Hence it's very difficult to fit them in. KDB is the closest. For example, bayern had Ribery and Robben who were better wide players than anything Pep has had at city, And he's managed far better RB's than Kyle Walker.

That's just straight up lying.

 

[Scandi Red]

Aguero is the closest if we base it on prime, rather than level when playing for Pep. But if we do that then Henry takes his spot. So it doesn't really matter.

De Bruyne is clearly one of Pep's best players, be he would have to be pigeon-holed into the starting XI because of Xavi and Iniesta.

 

[Buster15]

Foden? Competing with the likes of Iniesta, Silva, Kroos and Ribery? No chance.

Phil Foden is a different player to Kroos, Silva and Iniesta, who was absolutely outstanding.
And I think he is already far more effective than Ribery.

 

[Red the Bear]

----------------Messi
Ribéry-------------------Robben
----------Iniesta----Xavi
--------------Busquets
Lahm--Puyol-Piqué-Dani Alves
-----------------Neuer

Lahm at his best was on the right though wasn't he?

 

[The holy trinity 68]

You could argue for Rodri over Busquets. Then KDB should somehow fit in there, but no matter which formation it's hard to get him in.

You couldn't.

 

[JPRouve]

Lahm at his best was on the right though wasn't he?

Lahm was excellent as a LB, RB or an hybrid DM/RB role. And I think that Guardiola would pick him above anyone else and my next option is probably unpopular but it would be Abidal because it maintains flexibility and allows Dani Alves to be more attacking.

 

[Gio]

I don't understand how Man City wins as much as they do, when their players are this poorly rated. Surely KdB, Rodri, Walker should be close to his best XI team.

I think it's a case of City's top players being in the same positions as the best from Pep's Barcelona and Bayern teams. If City had a KDB-equivalent player at CB or LB then he would get in, for example.

I'm not sure you can mess with the Barcelona midfield trio. Attack is interesting as you can play about with the shape, having Messi central and Robben right for instance, and/or accommodate another midfielder type.

I reckon the centre-halves are interchangeable. Don't see a big difference in quality between Pique/Stones or Puyol/Kompany.

Left-backs similar in offering different tactical solutions while coming from a similar quality level on the whole.

 

[kouroux]

If you put Puyol then you gotta add Pique for me.

 

[footballistic orgasm]

There is no known universe where KDB supplants Iniesta. You're talking about two different tiers of player.

While Iniesta offered more control and was easier on the eyes, KDB offers way more offensive threat and it's not even close in that aspect.
Also like i said Pep moved Iniesta to the left wing to accommodate Fabregas and Del Bosque did the same to accommodate Xabi Alonso, though Iniesta often entered the middle, leaving the left flank for the LB.

What I find weird in this thread however are the people saying Kompany ahead and Pique. Kompany barely played 6 months for Pep, before that he was often on the bench even when he was fit. And Pique was also better on the ball than Kompany was.

 

[Hypnus]

You couldn't.

You could, but it's hard to being a Manchester United fan. United fans love to underrate City players, and apparently on this forum, Bruno is close to KdB.

Busquets was technically better, but Rodri is much more complete. If he was playing for Real Madrid, he'd be much more rated on here. Unreal footballer.

 

[Pintu]

Neuer
Lahm Puyol Pique Alaba (Boateng / Kompany/Alves)
Xavi Busquets Iniesta (KDB, Rodri, Kroos, Silva, Schweini, Alonso)
Robben Messi Ribery (Eto’o, Lewy)


He has had incredible players throughout his career, it is very difficult to chose 11. Specially for the midfield where he always had world class players.

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

While Iniesta offered more control and was easier on the eyes, KDB offers way more offensive threat and it's not even close in that aspect.
Also like i said Pep moved Iniesta to the left wing to accommodate Fabregas and Del Bosque did the same to accommodate Xabi Alonso, though Iniesta often entered the middle, leaving the left flank for the LB.

What I find weird in this thread however are the people saying Kompany ahead and Pique. Kompany barely played 6 months for Pep, before that he was often on the bench even when he was fit. And Pique was also better on the ball than Kompany was.

Dias was better for Pep than Kompany I’d say.

Also not really been mentioned but Jerome Boateng was arguably as good as Pique/Puyol, just the stain of being destroyed by Messi on the biggest stage - although you could see the same happening to Pique if he ever played against peak Messi.

 

[Pintu]

Agreed if it's not based on how they played for Pep. Aguero was kind of past it when Pep took over City, right?

Aguero in the PL (specially when City played at home) was world class… Aguero in the UCL never reached that level. Quite similar to Hazard who is been an unbelievable player for Chelsea but not that good in the UCL.

 

[Borys]

Walker vs Alves is an interesting one. Rodri vs Busquets - we'll see in a few years time, Rodri is 27 and still can play 5 years on this level so it will not be such an obvious one, although I think Sergio was fantastic.

What a team Pep had back in 2009.

 

[Pintu]

Dias was better for Pep than Kompany I’d say.

Also not really been mentioned but Jerome Boateng was arguably as good as Pique/Puyol, just the stain of being destroyed by Messi on the biggest stage - although you could see the same happening to Pique if he ever played against peak Messi.

We saw it done to Pique by lesser dribblers than Messi. And we saw it happen to Puyol in Zidane’s ”retirement party” at the World Cup 2006…

 

[tidraKS]

Neuer
Alves Puyol Pique Lahm
Xavi Busquets Iniesta
De Bruyne
Robben Messi​

 

[Bwuk]

Neuer
Alves - Puyol - Dias - Lahm
Busquets
Xavi - Iniesta
Robben - Messi - Ribery​

 

[harms]

That's just straight up lying.

Both Lahm & Alves are clearly ahead of Walker in anything ball-related. Walker is a better athlete than both and a better defender than Alves, not sure about Lahm (who was a much better reader of the game and a cleaner tackler, but didn’t have Walker’s ridiculous recovery pace).

I’d certainly pick them ahead of Walker every time except for a very specific scenario like nullifying a star left winger (at a cost of sacrificing a lot of attacking play). And it’s not a shame — alongside Cafu they’re the all-time golden standard for ball-playing right backs.

 

[WeePat]

Agreed if it's not based on how they played for Pep. Aguero was kind of past it when Pep took over City, right?

Crazy that even De Bruyne can't get a spot, but the midfield is just too stacked.

Which speaks to the kind of clubs Pep has chosen to manage. They're so stacked that even KDB can't get a look in.

KDB, Aguero, Kompany, David Silva, Ederson, Rodri, Robben all just chilling in the reserves.

 

[Rodgerzzz]

Phillip Lahm not even getting a mention despite being considered one of the greatest full backs of all time. The reality of this question is absolutely bonkers when you consider the level of players he's worked with.

 

[roonster09]

fan. United fans love to underrate City players,

Shows you are new to Redcafe. This is bluecafe with few ManUtd fans.

 

[Fortitude]

While Iniesta offered more control and was easier on the eyes, KDB offers way more offensive threat and it's not even close in that aspect.
Also like i said Pep moved Iniesta to the left wing to accommodate Fabregas and Del Bosque did the same to accommodate Xabi Alonso, though Iniesta often entered the middle, leaving the left flank for the LB.

What I find weird in this thread however are the people saying Kompany ahead and Pique. Kompany barely played 6 months for Pep, before that he was often on the bench even when he was fit. And Pique was also better on the ball than Kompany was.

There's nothing breaking up the most successful midfield triumvirate of all-time; I don't think you even do that for a true all-time great (which KDB is not) because the synergy, understanding and fluidity of that 3 is the benchmark for midfields and there's no evidence KDB can play that kind of football, let alone to that degree. Besides that, all the numbers in the world can't put KDB over Iniesta for productivity. Why? Because he scored or assisted on literally the biggest, most decisive occasions, and outside of that, his ball retention and ability to probe a backline for exploits that enable others to do their thing is almost unrivalled. Iniesta might have been moved around some, but at the peak of peaks, that midfield unit was set in stone, and that's the one presented in a thread like this.

The above might sound like a slight on KDB, but the truth is that Iniesta is the benchmark for a certain style of play, just as Xavi is in his position, and Busquets in his. Combine the three, and it's the pinnacle the game has seen of that style, and it would be the style the team is wedded to because of them (and Messi) with all other pieces having to conform and fit in.

 

[Dannn411]

None in the XI. Maybe on a really long bench

 

[harms]

As for Rodri/Busquets — if we go on merit and proven chemistry it’s a bit early to pick him ahead of Busquets in these kind of teams… but his last two seasons were better than Busquets’ best seasons — which is saying something, as the latter was bloody amazing.

I don’t think that Busquets was ever in contention for being the best player in the world (even if we exclude Messi & Cristiano from the equation) while Rodri of the past 2 seasons certainly is. Whenever he would suit Xavi & Iniesta (who are the obvious choices for Pep’s starting XI) better than Busquets is another question that I’m struggling to find the answer to at the moment.

 

[footballistic orgasm]

Think Kompany is better than Pique, personally. If given the choice I'd have had him in there.

I also feel Busquets is substantially better than Rodri, I don't think they belong in the same conversation. To me Rodri seems to have received 90% of the credit for City's success over the last few years which far outweighs his actual importance, he has been very important but he's not the sole reason City are successful.

Good thing no one has said this then. But there's a reason City has a more negative record without him than with him. He's been their best player the past 2 seasons.
Rodri offers everything Busquets does (maybe a bit less control) and more physical and offensive input.

That's just straight up lying.

Alves and Lahm (especially the former) offered way more offensively and to their teams general play than Walker. The only thing Walker has over them is speed.