Picking the greatest six-a-side team from Manchester City’s current squad would be tricky enough with the quality and strength-in-depth at their disposal let along the many legends have turned out for the club down the decades too.

Not an easy task then when it came to picking half a dozen Blues to represent the reigning Premier League champions when you consider the many greats who have graced both Maine Road and the Etihad, but that was the challenge facing Freddie Pye from City Xtra podcast.

Ederson

With his natural ability with the ball at his feet, phenomenal distribution, as well as being great shot-stopper, the Brazillian ‘keeper is probably the ideal candidate for a six-a-side team. “In terms of goalkeeper, Ederson is up there with the best you could ask for in a five-a-side squad,” says Freddie. “Comfortable with the ball at his feet and could possibly score from his own position.”

Aymeric Laporte

Aymeric Laporte was a January 2018 acquisition, signed from Athletic Bilbao midway through Pep Guardiola’s second season in charge of City. The 25-year-old arrived with a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising defenders and recognised for his calmness, strength and passing ability, his standing has only grown since his arrival at The Etihad. “In terms of ball-playing ability and playing-in playmakers, he could dictate play against any side,” says Freddie.

Kevin De Bruyne

With his creativity and eye for a defence-splitting pass, he has gone on to establish himself as one of Pep Guardiola’s key players, winning two Premier Leagues, three Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and the Community Shield in the process. And when it comes to six-a-side he also has the ability to drop deep and help out at the back, while also threading pinpoint passes through to the front men.

David Silva

Silva arrived at City from Valencia in the summer of 2010 in what has proved to be one of the most inspired purchases in the Club’s modern era. He has been a key component of the Club’s success, lifting 12 trophies in nine seasons, whilst at international level, he is a World Cup and European Championship winner and you can only imagine what the man dubbed “Merlin” by the City faithful could do on the six-a-side pitch.

Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero has etched his name into Manchester City history as the all-time record goalscorer. The much-loved striker also has the honour of being the player with the most league goals for the Club, while, of course, one of the most iconic moments in City’s long history also belongs to him too. “In need a prolific bagsman?” says Freddie. “Look no further than Sergio Aguero.”

Carlos Tevez

Tevez crossed the great Manchester divide from red to blue in 2009 made him an instant City legend and though it took him a little while to get going, he finished his first season having scored 29 goals in 42 games. The following campaign he was made club captain and at the end of it, he lifted the FA Cup – City’s first piece of silverware for 35 years and would surely be prolific in the close confines of a six-a-side pitch.

Pep Guardiola

In his second season with the Blues, having taken charge in 2016, Guardiola guided the Blues to the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup, smashing records along the way in a stunning season before guiding City to four more trophies in 2018/19 to become the Club’s most successful boss ever with six trophies in three seasons.

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