City’s Greatest League Cup XI – vote now! | OneFootball

City’s heritage in the League Cup is hugely impressive – having won the trophy eight times in our history.

The Blues are, in fact, the second most successful club in the competition behind only Liverpool in the all-time standings.

Our first triumph came in 1970 as we defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-1 with Joe Mercer masterminding victory over the Baggies courtesy of a goals from Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe with captain Tony Book lifting the trophy at Wembley.

Much-loved and missed Book then held the cup aloft as manager in 1976 as he led us to victory over Newcastle 2-1 thanks to Dennis Tueart’s winner which was subsequently voted the greatest in the history of the competition, with the boss becoming the first person to win the competition as both a player and manager.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Blues followed that up with triumphs in 2014 and 2016 before Pep Guardiola’s City won four successive League Cups from 2018 to 2021 with the Catalan becoming the first coach to win the trophy in a quartet of consecutive years.

Those eight successes have featured some truly magnificent players and, as we head into yet another final on Sunday, kick-off 16:30 (UK) at Wembley, we’ve decided to put together our Greatest League Cup XI!

And you get to decide who’s selected in our 4-3-3 formation with Goalkeeper, Right Back, Centre Back Option 1, Centre Back Option 2, Left Back, Defensive Midfield, Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Right Wing, Left Wing, Forward and also Manager available to vote on below.

There are some tough choices ahead for you, no less in Attacking Midfield as Colin Bell, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne go head-to-head – good luck with that one!

We will be revealing the XI plus Manager on Saturday as we build up to Sunday’s final.

GOALKEEPER

JOE CORRIGANTwo-time League Cup-winning City legend in 1970 and 1976

WILLY CABALLEROPenalty shoot-out heroics helped us to 2016 League Cup glory

CLAUDIO BRAVO  In goal for League Cup triumphs in 2018 and 2020

RIGHT BACK

TONY BOOKFirst person to ever win the League Cup as player and manager in 1970 and 1976

KYLE WALKERWon four League Cups in succession from 2018 to 2021

PABLO ZABALETAHelped end a 38-year wait for League Cup glory with 2014’s success over Sunderland

CENTRE-BACK OPTION ONE

MIKE DOYLEScored in 1970 West Brom success. Captain in 1976 Newcastle triumph

DAVE WATSONColossus overcame serious back injury to star in 1976 victory over Newcastle

TOMMY BOOTHVersatile ace starred in central defence in 1970 win and central midfield in 1976 victory

CENTRE-BACK OPTION TWO

VINCENT KOMPANYSkipper for wins in 2014, 2016, 2018 and scored in the 3-0 Arsenal success

NICOLAS OTAMENDIUnsung hero was four-time winner in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020

AYMERIC LAPORTEClassy Spaniard scored the only goal in 2021 success over Tottenham

LEFT-BACK

WILLIE DONACHIEReliable Scottish ace won the League Cup in 1976 and helped set up Dennis Tueart winner

GLYN PARDOEMuch-loved star scored the stoppage time winner in 2-1 success over West Brom in 1970

OLEKS ZINCHENKO  Four-time League Cup winner from 2018 to 2021

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD

ALAN OAKESCity’s record appearance maker was a two-time winner in 1970 and 1976

FERNANDINHOBrilliant Brazilian was a six-time winner playing under both Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola

RODRISpaniard scored in our 2-1 success over Aston Villa in 2020

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

ASA HARTFORDScot starred in our 1976 success over Newcastle and involved in Peter Barnes opener

YAYA TOUREScored in 2014’s 3-1 win over Sunderland and the decisive penalty in our 2016 Liverpool win

ILKAY GUNDOGANFour-time winner, scoring one of the shoot-out spot-kicks in our 2019 success over Chelsea.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD

COLIN BELLKing of the Kippax won the League Cup in 1970 and supported teammates in 1976 success

DAVID SILVAScored in 2018 success over Arsenal. Captain for 2019 and 2020 wins over Chelsea and Villa

KEVIN DE BRUYNEKing Kev was a League Cup winner in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

RIGHT WING

DENNIS TUEARTStunning overhead kick winner in 1976 was voted the competition’s most iconic moment

SAMIR NASRIScored in 2014 Sunderland success and also voted Player of the Match

JESUS NAVASSpaniard scored in 2014 victory over Sunderland and 2016 win over Liverpool

LEFT WING

PETER BARNESBecame the youngest Wembley final goalscorer with his opener in 1976 triumph

PHIL FODENPlayer of the Match in our 2021 1-0 success over Tottenham. Four-time winner

RAHEEM STERLINGFive-time winner scored in our penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool in 2019

FORWARD

FRANCIS LEELegendary striker won the League Cup in 1970 as one of his six City trophies

SERGIO AGUEROSix-time winner scored in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 finals

EDIN DZEKOGiant ace impressed in 2014 success over Sunderland

MANAGER

JOE MERCERVisionary manager won the 1970 final as part of his Golden Era in charge of the Blues

TONY BOOKSkip led us to glory in 1976 as boss following his 1970 success as a player

MANUEL PELLEGRINIPopular Chilean was twice winner in 2014 and 2016

PEP GUARDIOLAIconic Catalan boss became the first coach to win the cup in four consecutive years