Six Manchester City players that will improve significantly under Pep Guardiola

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At the time of writing, Bayern Munich sit five points clear of Dortmund atop the Bundesliga with a game in hand and look set to take yet another title. If, or probably when, they achieve this it will be Pep Guardiola’s seventh domestic league title as a manager.

For now, however, the total stands at six and so with that in mind here are six current City players who will benefit from the Spaniards arrival, with the exception of Sergio Aguero, who has been widely tipped to reach new levels.

Raheem Sterling

Critics galore greeted his £49 million move to Manchester City, but Raheem Sterling’s has been largely successful, no doubt much to the chagrin of the cabal of ex-Liverpool players that populate the media.

Wing play has been a feature of Pep’s Bayern. With Robben and Douglas Costa starring along with Kingsley Coman. It wasn’t always a huge part of the Barcelona game plan, but Pedro thrived on the space he was afforded and Sterling will do exactly the same and reap the rewards of Guardiola’s system.

He has been slightly inconsistent, but some of his wing play and intelligence in attack has belied his tender age. His pace will always frighten defenders and he has improved in front of goal, so far he has 10 goals this season, more than any season with Liverpool. He has become an important outlet for City, one that they have lacked for a few years and, given the injury crisis at the club, he will need to take on even more responsibility heading into the final months of the season as the Blues fight on four fronts.

Kelechi Iheanacho

The rising star of City’s squad, Iheanacho has scored eight goals and assisted four more, including a hat trick in last weekends win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup so far this season. The three goals during that game perfectly captured his versatility as a striker, the first a poachers effort from 3 yards. He then showed great confidence to stroke home the second from the penalty spot. The third came as he ran from the halfway line to slot past the on-rushing Brad Guzan, in the process showing incredible composure.

The 19-year-old has performed so well that, in the eyes of many supporters, he has overtaken Wilfried Bony as City’s number two striker behind Sergio Aguero. He showed a glimpse of his exceptional talent as far back as the summer of 2014, during pre-season games against Sporting Kansas City and AC Milan. Pellegrini admitted recently that Edi Dzeko was sold in the summer due to the Nigerian’s ability.

He has paved the way for further academy talent and has proven that, despite what critics will continually have you believe, talent will succeed at Manchester City.