Ilkay Gundogan: The Ideal first signing for Pep’s Manchester City

The German midfielder from Dortmund was, at one point, arguably the best midfielder in Europe. He was the key figure for Jurgen Klopp during the 2012-2013 season, where Borussia Dortmund made one of the most memorable journeys to the Champions League final in Wembly Stadium. He was the engine of a Dortmund team that had the better of the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid, and went toe to toe (and even scored a penalty) against Bayern Munich in the final. Gundogen formed a massive part of a Dortmund midfield that was equal (and even better) than many of the most expensive midfields in Europe. Yes; Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus, and Mario Gotze captured most of the headlines, but it was Ilkay Gundogen that made that brilliant trident work.

Since then, the Dortmund man was linked to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich; he was surely recognized by the cream of the crop in Europe. However, his injuries until this season played a most significant role in not hearing his name more often in the footballing press. Now, once again playing a pivotal role in Thomas Tuchel’s first season as Dortmund manager, Gundogen looks set to join Pep’s revolution in England.

Manchester City has a deeply talented squad; certainly the most talented in the Barclays Premier League, but even that squad has some limitations. The back four looks relatively weak without the presence of Captain Vincent Kompany, and their midfield is technically below par than most elite squads in Europe. What’s more, City’s most creative and influential midfielder in Yaya Toure looks to be in serious decline, and has had his issues with both the City board and Pep Guardiola in the past. Gundogen would be a massive boost to City’s midfield problem. He offers an engine with a technical passing ability that is rare to find in most midfielders across Europe. He has some semblance of how to play a possession-oriented style of play (since it is the style Pep would most likely employ) with Thomas Tuchel incorporating more diverse tactics than his predecessor Jurgen Klopp did. Age would not be a factor, since the German midfielder is only in his mid-20s, so City have a long term asset in that regard.

This is also a player that has done against the very best in Europe, which is key here. The jury is very well still out on the partnership between Fernando and Fernandinho, and Toure has already proven that he is unable to keep up with the center midfields of strong opposition. Gundogen would have no problem integrating himself within the squad and becoming automatically Pep’s go-to man against any opponent in the center of the pitch. If City can keep him fit, then Guardiola’s transition would make it that much smoother and doable.

Michael Skok
Football Editor for
Polish-American Portal www.Poland.us
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