GOALKEEPERS
Joe Hart
England number one, consistent but let down by his defence far too many times this season. STAY.
Costel Pantilimon
Back up keeper only, seemd okay on his first few performances, but then had a shocker and let in several poor goals against a pub team. Still, his defence didn't do him any favours. STAY.
Richard Wright
An unknown quantity who's not played a game to my knowledge. Seemingly a back up keeper, and with only 3 in the first team, I suppose we can't afford to let him go (although it seems strange to buy him in the first place when someone from the youth system could have filled his role). MAYBE.
DEFENDERS
Dedryck Boyata
Despite rumours of Boyata leaving the club, it seems he's still on Citeh's books. Played well alongside the skipper a couple of seasons ago until he had a shocker and was sent off against Arsenal in the first 10 minutes of an away game. Hasn't looked the same player since. GO.
Maicon
Considered an old codger when we signed him, he's gone on to prove his fitness at the highest level. However, despite his obvious ability and experience, he has no realistic future at the champions (unless he can serve the club as a non player?). GO.
Matija Nastasic
The young serbian is seemingly the epitome of a hot-and-cold player, and that's just during one match. Shows intelligence and a calm confidence when under pressure, and has the right attitude and build for the Prem, but is inclined to make mistakes and can be caught out of position when up against the cream of the EPL. Still, it took Kompany two years as on older man to show his true potential. STAY.
Wayne Bridge
Money grabbing toe-rag, possibly treated a bit harshly in respect to playing time, but if you don't make any effort on the training pitch as Mancini highlighted… GO.
Aleksander Kolarov
Strange player in try and incorporate into the team More a winger than a defender, if Mancini can keep him happy with game time, he can provide an unusual tactical option when we're on the attack. Needs to be supported by Clichy. STAY.
Vincent Kompany
Captain Kompany. Great captain, good player. Possibly not the level of defender that we ultimately should be aiming for, but to discard him at this stage of his City career would not only be foolish, but potential destructive to the squad. STAY.
Gael Clichy
Under-rated full back with explosive pace and a great left foot. Defends well and attacks well, with a hard working attitude. Probably the best left-back in the EPL. STAY.
Joleon Lescott
As an out-and-out defender similar in quality ot Kompany but slightly less to offer as an all round footballer. How he wasn't England's number one defender last season is beyond me. His recent injury has impeded any real review of his season so far, but realistically, if we're keeping Kompany, we should look at upgrading from Lescott… despite me actually liking him as a player. MAYBE.
Micah Richards
A veteran from the youth system, terrifying attacking prowess as a full back, but lacks technique and frequently loses possession when on the attack. Is he the future? He has got the quality? Can he improve enough to play at a world class level? Probably not. But at times he is a tremendous defender and when concentrating can truly be world-class at the back. Tricky one who has become, of late, injury prone. Let's hope it's a phase. MAYBE.
Kolo Toure
Good servant to the club, and probably under appreciated since Kompany's rise to captaincy. However, at his age he has no realistic future at the club. Could still do a good job for someone else, and has excellent technique. Good luck to him. GO.
Pablo Zabaleta
Hard-working, multi-positional, locally living City-fan who's a cult hero and true team player… but isn't good enough for the club. But since when did that matter? MAYBE.
MIDFIELDERS
Gareth Barry
Underrated presence last season who went about his business helped glue the midfield together. If it wasn't for Barry's reading of the game and responsible team play, Toure and Silver would never have made the impact they did last season. STAY (whilst still capable)
Abdisalam Ibrahim
Unknown quantity who must have made less than 5 appearances so it's hard to judge his current ability. Been part of the youth set up for some years but appears to have made no real progress towards first team football other than through experimentation. MAYBE
MIchael Johnson
Had loads of potential and could have become the new Steven Gerrard, but multiple successive injuries and too many nights down the pub have practically ruined his MCFC career. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am GO (unless he makes miracle comeback).
James Milner
Belongs in a similar a category to Zabaleta, although probably more underrated. Hard-working, professional with a never say die attitude; many traits you can't teach a player but does he really have the quality to take us to CL glory. A bit part maybe. MAYBE
Samir Nasri
Abundance of technical skill, cute balls, good attacking brain and the ability to frighten almost anyone, but a bit inconsistent and seems to grate rather than compliment Silva's game. Still, most teams would happily take him on, if they could afford him. STAY.
Abdul Razak
Another youth prospect whop impressed in his few appearances. Seems self assured and confident on the ball, but a failure to secure regular first team football and push the likes of Toure and Barry out means he's still not ready. MAYBE.
Jack Rodwell
Good prospect who looked a very good player in Everton's side, yet a bit lost in Citeh's, possibly proof of the gulf between the sides. HArd worker and professional but prone to mistakes which seem to cost us goals far too often. The introduction of Javi Garcia, a similar player if not of a slightly higher calibre, points towards his days being numbered. A strange buy in all honesty. GO.
David Silva
Recently far from his best, but it's arguably still good enough. Needs to get his head together as tactical tinkering might have affected his game but there's no doubting his ability. STAY.
Javi Garcia
Made an immediate impact on his first game with a goal. Good in the air, strong and with a good eye for a pass, but could be considered a bit slow. But then, so is Barry and he's adapted well. Time will tell whether this was a shrewd buy or not. Let's hope so. STAY.
Scott Sinclair
Seen as a back up player to replace Adam Johnson, who was also a back up player. Unfair to assess his Citeh career so far as he's hardly played, but if he can make as big a contribution to us as he did at Swansea, although unlikely due to the jump up in quality of players he's surrounded by, I'll be happy. Back up for now, and a good prospect for the future none-the-less. MAYBE.
Yaya Toure
The puppet master. Too integral to the team. Must be kept at all costs. STAY.
STRIKERS
Mario Balotelli
Obvious ability, but notorious in at least equal measure for his antics off the pitch (whether true or not). Personally, I think he's misunderstood (deliberately in some cases) and people put two and two together to get five as he's an easy target. Could be the best striker in the world, but it seems unlikely ever to happen. If Mancini can't help him, no one can. MAYBE
Edin Dzeko
After settling in, Dzeko had bright period of scoring regularly. He and Aguero struck up a good partnership, but since Tevez's return he's fashioned out a career as a super-sub (unintentionally) and seems to struggle when he plays 90 minutes. Regular football might be the key (not just one or two starts every couple of months) and it has to be said that his goal scoring record overall for Citeh is pretty good. STAY.
Sergio Aguero
Argie battler, brilliant finisher who works hard right until the final whistle. Struggling through a period of poor form at the minute, but talent and quality are permanent. I think a couple of weeks on the bench would do him good. Looks a bit jaded since his injury. STAY.
Roque Santa Cruz
Who? GO.
Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely
Another youth prospect. Not played enough to be properly assessed although his youth record is quite encouraging. MAYBE.
Carlos Tevez
World class… wanker. GO.
John Guidetti
Youth team superstar. Has recently been on loan and shown his quality in Holland. Can't wait to see him in the first team. Surely it's about time he was given a few games? STAY.
And that's it, for now. Let's see if David Villa comes over Christmas, then we might be saying goodbye to Balotelli (£40m to PSG apparently…).
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