Pep Guardiola’s first signing as Manchester City supervisor will go down as certainly one of his finest.
Reliable, versatile and delivering when it actually issues, Ilkay Gundogan is probably the participant who finest epitomizes Guardiola’s trophy-laden period at City since they arrived on the membership inside weeks of one another in 2016.
And this season, the Germany midfielder’s significance to City has magnified because the staff powers towards one other Premier League title and, simply possibly, a trio of main trophies.
In the previous week, Gundogan has performed three pressure-filled video games in three totally different positions and scored 4 objectives.
“He can do everything,” Guardiola mentioned of Gundogan after his two objectives within the 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday that has left City on the point of the title.
Against Everton, Gundogan performed as an attacking midfielder simply off Erling Haaland and confirmed his eye for aim by flicking the ball as much as himself in the midst of a crowded space and deftly poking house a end to place City forward. He then nonchalantly curled in a free kick to make it 3-0.
Five days earlier, he performed a barely extra withdrawn function, nearer to midfield anchorman Rodri, as City drew 1-1 with Real Madrid within the Champions League semifinals on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
And three days earlier than that, Gundogan had crammed in for the rested Rodri because the deep-lying midfielder in City’s 2-1 win over Leeds within the Premier League. Oh, and he scored twice then, too, by dispatching edge-of-the-area finishes after arriving late to hitch assaults.
“He shows again, again and again his quality and his importance,” Guardiola mentioned. “His commitment to all of us at the club.”
The subsequent few weeks will present simply how dedicated City is to Gundogan.
The 32-year-old midfielder’s contract is expiring on the finish of this season and he has been linked with an offseason transfer to Barcelona.
Guardiola needs Gundogan to stay on the membership – “Nobody knows what is going to happen,” the Spanish coach mentioned. “Maybe he stays. Hopefully.” – however the participant’s age is likely to be a difficulty, with reviews suggesting he needs a two-year deal and City solely need to give him a 12-month contract.
With uncertainty over the way forward for one other key midfielder, Bernardo Silva, Guardiola faces the alarming prospect of shedding two of his most influential gamers in the identical offseason. Two gamers who’re so essential to the way in which City operates with its suffocating urgent recreation and trendy attacking method.
Ahead of what is likely to be his personal final season at City, Guardiola certainly will insist that doesn’t occur.
Gundogan, specifically, is Guardiola’s consolation blanket, his man for all seasons.
After becoming a member of from Borussia Dortmund for about 20 million kilos ($25 million), he spent the primary 4 seasons as principally a back-up for a stellar midfield comprising Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva. He significantly got here into his personal within the 2018-19 marketing campaign when he performed because the anchorman rather than the injured Fernandinho within the ultimate months as City held off Liverpool to win a second league title below Guardiola.
Alternatively, within the 2020-21 season when City performed largely with no striker, Gundogan was usually deployed because the false 9 and went by way of a scorching streak from December to February – when he scored 11 objectives in 12 video games – to set the staff on track for a 3rd Premier League title.
Last season, he memorably scored the 2 late objectives towards Aston Villa on the ultimate day to make sure City once more edged Liverpool for the title. And this season, he has taken the armband and a extra senior function within the squad, particularly with Fernandinho now not round.
“He doesn’t talk much but when he talks, everyone listens,” Guardiola mentioned. “This is the facility of a pacesetter. He exhibits management each coaching session. Arriving on time, dwelling the job 24 hours a day. He performs like he’s taking part in now.
“He is a guy who plays close to the box and has an incredible sense of the goal. But he can play holding midfield defensively, no problem. He proved that years ago when Fernandinho was injured. He is a guy who handles the pressure really, really well.”
Even although Gundogan beforehand had a ho-hum scoring document, he has been described by Guardiola as among the finest finishers within the squad and somebody who can “take a coffee” earlier than taking a shot.
Indeed, the primary aim towards Everton highlighted his composure as a lot as his technical qualities.
Upon signing Gundogan practically seven years in the past, City boasted of bringing in “an intelligent and versatile midfielder who can operate in a number of different roles.”
“I think,” the staff mentioned then, “our supporters will enjoy his work ethic and technical ability.”
Gundogan has lived as much as his billing.
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