Good positional sense but he can be caught out as he is extremely aggressive and will chase an aerial challenge at times, leaving a gap.

Decent passer but not got the range of passing of a top midfielder or the vision to pick out the really insightful passes.

Very cynical, likes to intimidate in the aerial challenge with his elbows to ensure he puts opponents off or out. Happy to kick or do whatever is needed for the team.

Has great composure, so you can generally rely on him scoring when close in, but it is usually with his head as he does not have an outstanding shot on him.

Excellent movement, despite the lack of mobility he tends to get himself into a good position to win a ball played to him.

He has a real talent for being in the right place to break up a move, no matter what he has to do.

An excellent passer of the ball, particularly good at moving the ball on quickly.

He will do whatever it takes to break up play. He is extremely cynical and is very happy to 'take one for the team' so to speak.

While he does not get to show it often any more, when he arrived at Man City he was known for being a goalscoring box-to-box midfielder with a very good shot on him.

Has excellent movement, though he does not tend to get to use it as much as he used to.