Man City's best Premier League XI: Aguero, Kompany & top players of modern era

Joe Hart's career has nose-dived dramatically and rapidly since he left the Etihad Stadium but it should not be forgotten that not too long ago he was the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

The former England international was integral to title-winning seasons under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini, and won the Golden Glove a record-equalling four times.

There were also some standout performances, particularly in Europe, and most notably against Barcelona in 2015, when Lionel Messi called him a “phenomenon”.

Pablo Zabaleta's incredible commitment over more than 300 appearances for City perhaps takes a little away from the skill that he brought to the backline.

The Argentine's intensive work-rate, willingness to get forward, intelligent reading of the game and defensive strengths made him a mainstay over nine years.

But he will also have a special place in the hearts of fans because of that remarkable determination that he brought to every single appearance.

A born leader, Vincent Kompany played a huge role in the rise of the club both on and off the pitch because of his intelligence and all-round quality.

The former captain was a brilliant defender and his determination kept him coming back time and again from a succession of injury setbacks.

Despite those persistent problems, he returned to play a key role in his final season and had one of the greatest farewell moments of all time when his late 25-yard strike against Leicester proved pivotal to City winning a second successive title.

Bizarrely overlooked by France, Aymeric Laporte has been one of the most outstanding centre-backs in Europe in recent seasons.

Pep Guardiola puts pressure on his central defenders to keep the opposition out as well as setting up attacks and Laporte is one of the few people comfortable in the role.

Errors in Europe have blotted his record, but he has proven a sensational signing for City.

Aleksandar Kolarov is City’s most reliable left-back of the Premier League era, although his battle with Gael Clichy was a close call.

The Serbian, though, was strong, committed and offered an extra attacking threat with his fierce left foot that could deliver dangerous crosses or unstoppable long-range shots.

Kolarov spent seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium and played an important part in the club winning five trophies during that time.

Yaya Toure arrived as a defensive midfielder but left as a match-winner. There was simply nothing that the Ivorian couldn’t do.

Toure could tackle if required, smash 50-yard passes if needed, and had quick, nimble feet to skip past opponents and the strength to hold off anyone.

He also possessed astonishing power and accuracy when shooting from distance, meaning he boasts a showreel of sensational strikes to rival any of the greatest goalscorers in Premier League history.

An unsung hero who has been City’s secret weapon in the heart of midfield for nearly seven years.

Fernandinho is an outstanding defensive midfielder on account of his tackling, reading of the game and skills in the 'dark arts', which he can call upon if needed.

But the Brazilian's stylish passing, hard running and occasional goal threat mean he offers so much more to City.

No player has won more trophies in City’s history than David Silva, who ended his decade-long stay with 14 winners’ medals.

He will be remembered as arguably the greatest playmaker in Premier League history because of his remarkable vision and sublime passing. Indeed, some pundits even consider the Spaniard the finest foreign player ever to ply his trade in England.

Detractors say that Silva never had any standout matches, but it’s a minor complaint about a player who delivered genius on a weekly basis.

Written off as a flop after an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea in the early years of his career, Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Premier League with a point to prove.

City were the lucky benefactors, with the Belgian delivering a consistent level of style and quality that has made him one of the most outstanding midfielders in the world.

Last season, he equalled Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single campaign (20), which played a key role in him becoming the first City player to be named PFA Player of the Year. 

Quite simply, Sergio Aguero is the greatest City striker of any era, comfortably clear of second-placed 1930s hero Eric Brook as the club’s leading goalscorer.

Not only that, he is also the most prolific foreign-born forward of the Premier League years and is likely to be in the leading three of all-time before his City career is over.

If that is not enough, he also produced the greatest moment in Premier League history when he kept his composure to score a 94th-minute winner on the final day of the season to end City’s 44-year wait for the title.

There were some that questioned City’s decision to pay Liverpool £49 million ($63m) for Raheem Sterling but the forward has long since repaid that hefty transfer fee in goals and assists.

The England international has improved season after season under Guardiola's guidance to become one of the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League and has won six trophies in five years.

Goalscoring was the biggest criticism of the winger's play but Sterling has now passed 100 goals for City, scoring more than 20 goals in three successive seasons.

Ederson is pushing Hart for the number one spot of the Premier League era and may well overtake him if he continues his fine form.

Strikers Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko were also iconic during their time at the Etihad Stadium and deserve their place in this squad.

Homegrown talents Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips both came through the club's academy to make an outstanding contribution for the first team and earn England caps.

Long before the Sheikh Mansour takeover, Richard Dunne won the club's Player of the Year for four successive seasons, while the incredibly gifted Georgi Kinkladze was the only player worth watching in the late 90s before the club sunk to the third tier.