Pep Guardiola's most used players by appearances for Manchester City

Since taking the reins at Manchester City in 2016, Pep Guardiola has managed a plethora of world class players, some of which will go down as all-time Premier League greats.

We take a look through the statistical records at the top 10 most used players by Guardiola as Man City manager.

Most used players by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

10) Fernandinho

A player inherited by Guardiola at Man City, Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernandinho was one of the Catalan's most trusted figures during the first six years of his reign at the Etihad.

A winner of four Premier League titles under Guardiola's management, Fernandinho lifted the league trophy as City captain in 2021 and 2022.

9) Phil Foden

Another player Guardiola instantly had at his disposal following his arrival as Man City manager in 2016, academy graduate Phil Foden has flourished under the ex-Barcelona boss' guidance.

Arguably one of the most naturally talented English footballers of all time, Foden has developed into a Man City mainstay who can operate in a number of different attacking midfield roles.

8) John Stones

Signed from Everton during Guardiola's first transfer window as Man City manager in the summer of 2016, John Stones' ball-playing ability from the back made him a perfect fit within his new boss' possession-oriented football philosophy.

England international Stones has been a pivotal player for City throughout Guardiola's tenure at the Etihad, with the pair having won six Premier League titles together to date.

7) Rodri

Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Spain international Rodri has developed into one of the world's best midfielders under the tutelage of Guardiola at Man City.

A powerful defensive-minded midfielder, Rodri's influential role in City's Premier League title win and Spain's Euros triumph in 2024 saw him receive the prestigious Ballon d'Or prize.

6) Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling was a regular starter in Guardiola's Total Football 4-3-3 system up until his departure for Chelsea in 2022.

A winger with blistering speed and terrific dribbling ability, Sterling had a knack for getting on the end of cut-backs to score for City prolifically during his decorated spell at the club.

5) Ilkay Gundogan

Guardiola's admiration for Germany international Ilkay Gundogan as a player is underlined by the fact the ex-Bayern Munich manager moved to sign the midfielder in his first summer in charge of Man City in 2016.

The pair went on to enjoy a hugely successful partnership together, with the tactically astute Gundogan a key part of Guardiola's winning machine at City and captaining the club to the Premier League title in 2023.

4) Kyle Walker

Another player to have captained Man City to the Premier League title under Guardiola, Kyle Walker was signed from Tottenham by the Catalan ahead of his second season in charge at the Etihad in 2017.

A defender renowned for his breathtaking speed, Walker's dependability at City during the club's dominance in English football will ensure he will go down as one of the best right-backs in Premier League history.

3) Kevin De Bruyne

The fact Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly a teacher's pet of Guardiola at Man City comes as little surprise considering the technical brilliance of the Belgian.

Since arriving at the Etihad from Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne has undoubtedly been one of the outstanding players in the Premier League - winning six titles and two PFA Players' Player of the Year awards.

2) Bernardo Silva

Signed from Monaco in the summer of 2017 - ahead of Guardiola's second season as City boss - Bernardo Silva has been nothing short of a revelation in the Premier League.

A silky playmaker capable of operating centrally or out wide, the Portugal international has been an indispensable player during his time at the Etihad which has seen City win the Premier League title in six of seven seasons.

1) Ederson

Guardiola's most common selection as Man City manager is none other than Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, signed from Benfica in 2017.

A goalkeeper with phenomenal distribution skills, Ederson has represented the perfect last line of defence in a Guardiola side which seeks to dominate the ball no matter the opposition.