MANCHESTER CITY OVERALL SCORE: 43½/60
SERGIO AGÜERO
Surely the world’s finest finisher. Each year he becomes more lethal. Manuel Pellegrini, believes he can reach the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This a big call. If Agüero is to do so, it must occur over this season and the next, as he is now 27 and in his prime. If he does, watch out – City will fly. 9/10
DAVID SILVA
The Spaniard is City’s most influential attacking player. His ability to glide through traffic with ball and space means Silva is constantly redrawing the game in real time. Schemer, playmaker, football artiste: he is a sublime one-off who continues to provide the x-factor in Pellegrini’s side. 9/10
JESÚS NAVAS
The joke goes that, when buying him two years ago, City located the one Spaniard who runs solely in straight lines and is akin to the meat-and-potato stereotype of the artisanal English player. Pellegrini likes and rates him, though, and Navas has genuine pace and his assist rate is high. 6/10
SAMIR NASRI
The Frenchman has become a squad player with Sterling’s arrival and will find opportunity even more limited should Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne join the club. Nasri may light up a contest, but his contributions can be fitful and there is a sense that City have seen his best. 6/10
RAHEEM STERLING
In his City debut at West Brom, there were flashes of the running and dribbling that can shred teams. The 20-year-old did not have the best game, yet the space and concern he created should not be underestimated. What he needs to become is a potent goal threat. 7½/10
WILFRIED BONY
Still yet to fire as he did at Swansea City, having joined in January. Participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, injury, and City’s nose-diving championship defence did not help. Once he finds his form, he will prove a shrewd addition as the striker’s strength and directness poses problems that defenders hate. 6/10
CHELSEA OVERALL SCORE: 42/60
EDEN HAZARD
The forward that opposing teams fear the most, Hazard allies quicksilver skills with directness and a ruthless end product. It was a joy to watch him last season, when he won Player of the Year awards, and it is to be hoped that he continues to withstand the physicality of the Premier League. 9/10
DIEGO COSTA
The narky, killer No9 has taken the adage about being loved by team-mates and hated by rivals to new extremes. He was brilliant in his debut season at Chelsea, although he faded a little towards the end and struggled with his hamstring injury. Fitness this time out will be key. 8/10
OSCAR
José Mourinho describes him as his only pure No10 and the onus has been on the Brazilian to be the team’s creative fulcrum. He has produced some lovely moments, including a few wonder goals, but has struggled to produce at the highest level on a consistent basis. 7/10
WILLIAN
Far removed from the stereotype of the Brazilian right-sided attacker, Willian offers industry, intensity and energy rather than flair, spark and goals. He ousted André Schürrle largely because Mourinho knew that he could rely upon him to follow orders and close opponents down. 7/10
RADAMEL FALCAO
It is an understatement to say that the striker has much to prove after his terrible season at Manchester United last time out, and he has done nothing to ease the nagging doubts so far at Chelsea. Mourinho has backed himself to help Falcao rediscover his pace and fear-factor. 5/10
LOÏC RÉMY
The France striker’s numbers looked good last season, with seven goals from six league starts and 13 substitute appearances, and a couple of vital winners. An intelligent player and a good finisher, a lack of regular starts has made it difficult for him to find his best level. 6/10
