Ilkay Gundogan’s surprise debut for Manchester City demonstrated what a good signing he is – and that he will be key to Pep Guardiola’s system.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side have made the perfect start. There has been no ‘bedding in’ period, no transition, no hiccups. Just Guardiola’s genius and, well, results. Seven wins out of seven, 21 goals scored and beautiful football played.
Yet, you still get the feeling that there is more to come. Guardiola is only just getting started, and while there will be a defeat at some point (that is inevitable), Pep’s City have yet to hit top gear.
There has been plenty of innovation from the Spanish tactician so far – full-backs playing as central midfielders when in possession (as was the case at Bayern Munich), David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne playing in a role described as a ‘free eight’, and lots of passing and pressing.
Many players at the club were deemed unsuitable for the system and were shipped out as a result. However, one player (not at the club) was deemed very suitable. So suitable, in fact, that Guardiola appeared to have made plans to buy him even before arriving at the club. That player is Ilkay Gundogan.
Such was Pep’s belief in the player that he bought him from Borussia Dortmund while he was injured, and before his recent appearance, nothing had been seen of him.
Guardiola has done this before, with Thiago Alcantara at Bayern. He knew of the player’s talent, having seen him firsthand at Barcelona. A central midfielder who could pass, dribble and dictate the game suited the tactician’s style down to the ground.
Gundogan is the same, and it showed against Monchengladbach. His first touch was sublime, he always seemed to have time on the ball, and he brought the play forward with intent and purpose. It is a compliment to say that it did not look like he was making his debut.
Star man Sergio Aguero stole the show with his hat-trick, making it nine goals in his last five games, but the debutant’s showing should give City fans just as much cause to celebrate.
The German’s debut came about due to a last minute injury to David Silva, and while it is still uncertain as to how exactly Gundogan, Silva and De Bruyne will all fit into one starting line-up (perhaps with one of Silva or De Bruyne playing wide, or Gundogan starting deeper), one thing is clear. The ex-Dortmund man is the player to take City to the next level, and when they get there, we are in for a treat.
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