3 Man City Players Whose Stock Tumbled in the 2015/16 Premier League Season

The dust has yet to fully settle on Manchester City’s miserable Premier League campaign, but it’s clear there were serious issues that contributed to their extreme inconsistency.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side simply couldn’t get going. Aside from a blistering start that saw them win five straight matches, they failed to establish a period of decent form, always, it felt, below their best and unable to produce what we know they’re capable of.

Pep Guardiola has plenty to do, then, when he takes over on July 1. Pace and energy are needed. As are midfielders comfortable in possession and defenders capable of consistency.

It’s likely he will ramp up his preparations as soon as his last game in charge of Bayern Munich has finished. They take on Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday, and after that, his focus will be on City.

Which players will he have been least impressed with this season? Here are three whose stock fell sharply.

1. Aleksandar Kolarov

Jon Super/Associated Press

Appearances: 29

Minutes played: 2,228

Goals: 3

Assists: 3

Aleksandar Kolarov has failed to deliver on his price tag since his £16 million move from Lazio in the summer of 2010.

There’s no doubt he has a fantastic left foot and can deliver superb balls into the box—but a defender, first and foremost, should be solid defensively. Kolarov has too often been a liability for City.

This season was perhaps his worst in English football. Whereas in the past his attacking quality would mask some of his defensive deficiencies, he rarely showed his best going forward this campaign.

Kolarov, now 30, should probably look for a move elsewhere. The desire to work with Guardiola will likely be strong, but the incoming City boss demands his teams to play with intensity, with comfort in possession a prerequisite for excelling in his setup.

Kolarov just doesn’t feel like a Guardiola footballer.

2. Wilfried Bony

Jon Super/Associated Press

Appearances: 26

Minutes played: 1,222

Goals: 4

Assists: 3

It's been a disastrous season for Wilfried Bony, who managed just four Premier League goals and rarely looked like a striker capable of excelling at a club such as City.

His touch veers from excellent to appalling in a matter of minutes. He lacks presence aerially. His movement is badly lacking.

In short, he isn't a good fit for this City side, which prides itself on quick pass-and-move combinations.

Understandably, a crisis of confidence overtook him, and he failed to score a single league goal after the turn of the year.

If Guardiola has been watching, he will surely be of the belief Bony isn't a good fit for City and that he needs to leave.

3. Pablo Zabaleta

Jon Super/Associated Press

Appearances: 13

Minutes played: 1,062

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

It's almost sacrilege to criticise Pablo Zabaleta, the firmest of favourites with the City fans in recent seasons and the man who was perhaps the most consistent right-back in Europe before the 2015/16 campaign. 

What he has done for the club has been remarkable. He embodies the spirit and togetherness that has seen City win a clean sweep of domestic honours since the takeover of the club in 2008.

However, this season saw a spectacular collapse. Every player declines, some slowly, such as Gianfranco Zola or Fabio Cannavaro, others more sharply, such as Gary Neville and now Zabaleta.

Two serious knee injuries set him back significantly. He failed to find any form this season and looked short of pace. 

Would a move to a less demanding, slower league help? Serie A looks ideal for him.