Book predicts City's best squad ever

Manchester City legend Tony Book believes the current side could go on to be the best in the club's history, starting with victory in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Stoke City.

Book was manager of the last City side to capture silverware in 1976, whilst he also captained the team that won the league in 1968 and the cup the following year, but insists the current contingent at Eastlands can go on to emulate those successes.

Speaking to The Sun, Book said: "When I go to supporters' club functions it would be great to talk about the modern-day heroes rather than always harking back to my day.

"Already the fans have players they idolise. The boy Silva, De Jong, Kompany and Tevez - they have become household names for City fans, like our team was.

"This is the best team City have had since the one I managed to the League Cup win and then finished runners-up to Liverpool the following season.

"If they win the trophy I think they will go on to even greater things and eclipse the achievements of our great team.

"The owners have the resources to go out and get the one or two players Roberto Mancini wants to strengthen the side even further."

Book also believes that City will be liberated having released the burden of Champions League qualification, and expects their 35-year trophy drought to follow suit.

He added: "It is great the team can go to Wembley knowing they have achieved their first target of Champions League football.

"To win the FA Cup would make it the perfect season. It would get that monkey off our back about not winning a trophy for so many years. And once they win one I believe it will be the first of many."

The 76-year-old also noted a number of comparisons between the Manchester City side of today and the one which had a rich vein of success in the late 1960s.

He added: "Carlos Tevez reminds me of Franny Lee the way he is always prepared to run at you.

"Adam Johnson reminds me of Mike Summerbee and David Silva is similar to Neil Young, because creative left-footers always catch your eye.

"I've been invited into the Royal Box at Wembley - me and Mike Summerbee. I'm the president of the club and Mike is the club's ambassador.

"Quite a few of the lads from '69 are going down - Tommy Booth, Franny Lee, Mike Doyle, Colin Bell.

"With 'Nellie' Young, who scored the winner when we won the FA Cup, passing away earlier this year, it is going to make the final a poignant occasion.”