Have Manchester City assembled the best squad in Premier League history? Pep Guardiola's table-toppers have set new standards this season

• e-mail

The football on display by Manchester City has been utterly mesmeric during the opening two months of this season, and doesn't look like stopping here.

Seven goals against Stoke on Saturday, six at Watford, five past Crystal Palace and Liverpool. Those go nicely with the well-crafted victory away at champions Chelsea and two comfortable Champions League wins.

Pep Guardiola's side are five points clear of third-placed Tottenham after just eight games, with new signings clicking quickly and the old favourites raising their game further.

There have been very few squads assembled in Premier League history which possessed quite so much quality right through them and City's vast sums are being spent wisely.

Here, Sportsmail looks at Guardiola's main 18 and how they rank.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side have made a blistering start to the season

City celebrate scoring their second goal in Saturday's 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City

City have opened up a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League table this weekend

EDERSON - 8/10

The Brazil goalkeeper has completely transformed City's mentality at the back after a £34.7million arrival from Benfica. 

He's as assured with both his hands and feet, bringing much-needed confidence and stability back after the issues encountered last season.

CLAUDIO BRAVO - 5/10

Never looked confident between the sticks during a painful debut campaign in England. His mistakes are well documented but Bravo's main problem came via transmitting nervousness to what, at that time, was already a porous defence.

Ederson, signed from Benfica for £34.7million over the summer, has started very well

KYLE WALKER - 8/10

Walker's started like he means to go on following the summer switch from Tottenham and has added a new dimension down the right. His positivity going forward has forced good wingers backwards.

John Stones said: 'The way he gets up and down the pitch is why for me he's probably the best in the world, and I keep telling him that.'

Kyle Walker drives Manchester City forward down the right side during their win over Stoke

DANILO - 6/10

A utility man whose favoured position is right back, Danilo will fill in all over the place this season. Doesn't rampage from full back in quite the same way as Walker but has seemed solid enough when called upon.

JOHN STONES - 8/10

Looks a completely different player after Guardiola dedicated plenty of time to him last term. An almost flawless start to the season. The mistakes have been eradicated and Stones is a more domineering character than ever before.

John Stones sends Stoke forward Jese tumbling during Saturday's win at the Etihad Stadium

VINCENT KOMPANY - 6/10

Simply cannot stay fit, with this latest calf injury having kept him out since the August international break. 

A talisman on his day but City feel as if they've moved on from the Belgian now and certainly will do when a new centre half is signed next summer.

NICOLAS OTAMENDI - 7/10

Continues to improve under Guardiola and represents a good partner for Stones. Had a relatively good year last season and feels more assured. The pair compliment each other nicely, although an injury or suspension to either could cause problems.

Nicolas Otamendi continues to show improvement under Guardiola's guidance

BENJAMIN MENDY - 7/10

Looked frighteningly good in his opening five matches - bar the nutmegs Walker and City's Twitter feed took great delight in highlighting - but was struck down with knee ligament damage.

FABIAN DELPH - 6/10

Reliable cover at left back in the absence of Mendy and another example of clever resourcefulness by Guardiola. Solid on the ball and doesn't attempt to do too much off it.

Fabian Delph goes in with a slide challenge on Xherdan Shaqiri during Saturday's match

FERNANDINHO - 8/10

A little bit of an unsung hero in the opening 11 games. The midfielder has improved massively after struggling towards the back end of last year but is anchoring the three with distinction at the moment. Also helps if you chip in with the sort of stunners we saw on Saturday.

Fernandinho gets a handshake from Guardiola during the rout of Stoke at the weekend 

YAYA TOURE - 6/10

On the periphery this time last year and is the same again this but this feels a little more permanent given the competition. The way Toure drove the team when given a run of games in 2016-17 should not be overlooked, however.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN - 7/10

Still yet to see the real Gundogan consistently but that will come with time should he stay free of injuries. Will score goals given the opportunity but Guardiola sees him playing further forward and difficult to see who he dislodges.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE - 9/10

The best in the Premier League right now. Dead-eyed precision to his passing, ghosts through midfield without being picked up and seems to find runners ahead of him every single time without fail. A truly magnificent player to watch.

Kevin De Bruyne could quite possibly be the best player in the Premier League at the moment

DAVID SILVA - 8/10

Overlooked in a similar way to Fernandinho. Never loses the ball and there's a heavy argument for Silva being the best signing of Sheikh Mansour's era at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola wants him to extend his contract to 2020.

David Silva celebrates scoring the third of City's seven goals against Stoke on Saturday

RAHEEM STERLING - 8/10

Seven goals already, just three shy of last year's acceptable haul, Sterling is blossoming. The weight of expectation looks as if it's been lifted from his shoulders and he has reacted to the recent signings in a positive way.

Raheem Sterling attempts to shield the ball from two Stoke players during the 7-2 win

BERNARDO SILVA - 7/10

Can barely get a look in because of the performances of others but has looked the real deal when given a chance. Could well be viewed as the signing of last summer in a few years' time.

LEROY SANE - 8/10

Electrifying to watch. Defenders are aware of where Sane is headed but for the most part are powerless to stop him. Six goals to Sterling's seven in that particular dual and is only going to get better.

Leroy Sane wheels away in celebration after scoring City's sixth goal against the Potters

SERGIO AGUERO - 9/10

A goal machine and someone who has adapted to what Guardiola demands, which was no forgone conclusion by any stretch. Already back after that broken rib and Eric Brook's record of 177 City goals will be broken in the coming days and weeks.

Sergio Aguero has made an excellent start to the season but then suffered a broken rib

GABRIEL JESUS - 8/10

Not quite as deadly as Aguero yet but that is no criticism. He's a piranha in the final third, the embodiment of City's ethos in winning possession back at an alarming pace and has that canny knack of being in exactly the right place to tap in.

Gabriel Jesus is lifted high after opening the scoring against Stoke, continuing his great form