Ilkay makes sense.
Ilkay makes sense.
Why Manchester City moving for Gundogan is the right thing to do.
I would be lying if I wasn’t writing this from a place of biased fondness but putting that aside and putting my objective analysis hat on instead still has me arriving at the same conclusion.
Ilkay Gundogan makes sense for Manchester City.
And in a big way.
Whether or not it happens is another thing but City lack a few things and there’s an answer in the form of one Turkish-German midfielder.
The first is somebody to deputise for Rodri.
Kovacic in possession is good in that role and his performance against Chelsea highlighted that.
Kovacic’s game is predicated on resisting pressure on his back and escaping said pressure through his ability to dribble.
His ability to carry the ball up the field in possession is his strongest attribute and one that will result in his inclusion in games needing that specific trait, when spaces in the midfield are big and the build up is number-heavy.
Kovacic for all of his quality is no Gundogan though.
It’s hard to match up to one of the best midfielders of his generation (and all-time, for me).
The fact Kovacic’s game in cameos last season, and against Chelsea garner so much (deserved) praise is fun to reflect on because Gundogan can do most of what Kovacic does and a fair few things Kovacic doesn’t do. Again, not a slight on Kovacic who is great, but the globality of Gundogan’s skillset is something any team would be blessed to have.
As a lone #6 replacement, Gundogan’s shown the positional sense to slot in there and brilliantly. In the 2018/19 season, the undefeated run in of games that lead to City’s coronation in the league ahead of Liverpool had Gundogan play each game at the base of midfield.
In the season prior to his departure, Gundogan showed that same brilliance in a number of games as Rodri took (even at that time) a much needed rest.
The Leeds game remains clear in my memory as one of the more masterful performances from defensive midfield. It was a microcosm of all of the qualities that make him a top option as a #6.
The game IQ and positional sense, paired with his surprising (and underrated) ability to contest the second ball ensured City retained the ball and sustained prolonged pressure on the opposition wearing them down.
His best quality, the ability to keep the ball, balance risk and retention in his pass selection, and the probing passes in behind for the attackers, platformed City to have a greater share of the possession whilst creating more good chances.
Perhaps a hot take but as a passer from the base of midfield, I prefer Gundogan to even Rodri — who for me is the best defensive midfielder in the world.
On top of all of that? Two goals from the edge of the area as a defensive midfielder in a single game. It was an incredible game and in a role he hadn’t been playing in for the majority of that season.
In the context of high possession sides pinning teams into their own third, those spaces around the edge of the area to score from arise for the deep midfielder. Gundogan has that ability in the locker too.
The benefit of a Gundogan signing compounds when we appreciate his tactical versatility.
For Manchester City, it isn’t only a Rodri deputy that is needed but it is somebody capable of pairing him. Gundogan’s expertise in this regard is second to none. He gets back well to support his defensive midfielder in defence, and he contributes to the build-up centrally or wide with ease too.
His attacking sense — the ability to connect with the wide-players and most importantly his willingness to crash the box and score, has been something that City have lacked at times.
Foden stepped up last season but often it was only Haaland and Foden in the box. Rodri took on personal responsibility and made a change to pick up some of that burden too.
The implications of a Gundogan transfer to City are vast.
In practice there’s a few things to note. Rodri’s progression into an accomplished box-to-box midfielder opens up the exciting prospect of having either him or Gundogan push up and contribute to the attack, with the other more than capable of sitting in. It maximises both of their profiles, utilising both their attacking, defensive and creative strengths.
City with electric wingers that hit the by-line often, predicated on their 1v1 dribbling quality, would have an additional box-crasher to find, and one with a natural sense of where to be, at the right time. In the same way he might maximise Rodri, Gundogan would also maximise Doku and Savinho.
A question mark is raised as to Foden and De Bruyne’s ability to share minutes centrally if Gundogan’s inclusion were to become a mainstay.
For how good Gundogan is and given the age he currently is, I would not mind that personally. I know fans of the other two players would. Whatever makes the most sense for the team should take priority.
Bernardo, another player deployed often in midfield, would then again pop up as an option on the wing. In Bobb’s absence this makes sense. It also allows City the option to play more cautiously, conceding fewer counter attacks against strong, direct teams (such as Liverpool and Arsenal).
Foden’s minutes might show up on the flank. I know this appears less than ideal but with how the Premier League and Pep’s tactics are trending, Gvardiol and Rico Lewis seem to be being used in a higher, wider and more attacking fashion.
Foden therefore, with the license to move inside as the fullback pushes onwards — knowing there is an assuredness in midfield, allows for some leeway in getting Foden into his best zones.
Gundogan’s ability to find Haaland in behind with direct, vertical passes was one of the best methods of chance creation for Haaland in Gundogan’s final season.
As a player who has thrived in transition heavy sides, a vertical chance suits Haaland maximally. Playing through the centre (against the ever-common 4-2-4 shapes) affords opportunities to play vertically. Gundogan can do that. Haaland again, benefits.
As a 33 year old, Gundogan is in the twilight of his career but he’s a player that is coming off of the back of a genuinely impressive campaign. Until Germany’s elimination, Gundogan performed as one of the best through Euro 2024 and his stint at Barcelona has fans (and analysts alike) heralding him as their best player last season.
The decision from Barcelona to shift Gundogan as a result of their financial incompetencies is baffling when it comes to appreciating his quality on the pitch.
With his age in mind, having one of football’s best midfielders return home with an eye on the likes of Bruno Guimarães or Adam Wharton in the upcoming seasons seems sensible.
It prevents City rushing, signing someone below-par or overpaying. It allows whoever that new player is to settled, under far less pressure.
As a player who has played with these players before, played under this manager before, and captained them all to a treble — Gundogan works.
It feels right.
It only makes sense to bring back Mr. Blue.
Umir (@umirf1)
Professional Football Analyst.