After Manchester City’s dramatic end of season capitulation, incoming boss Pep Guardiola must have been tearing out the remaining hair follicles on his head over much of the squad he was set to inherit.
With Yaya Toure’s Premier League legacy very nearly mired by a painfully carefree view on defensive duties (or duties full stop), the loss of form of playmaker David Silva and the lack of anything resembling a competent centre-half, the former Barcelona manager must have been rather keen to bring his own influence into the team at the earliest opportunity.
Who would be the first acquisition under the Spaniards reign? Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan.
While the German international is set to miss Euro 2016 due to a shock dislocation of his kneecap, suffered in training at the start of May, the club clearly felt confident that the string-puller would be more than worth his £20m value.
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Joining Jurgen Kopp’s Dortmund from Nuremberg in 2011, a 20-year-old Gundogan was initially tasked with replacing Bundesliga Player of the Year Nuri Sahin. Later he would help a youthful and exciting side to a 2012 German top-flight titale, and a 2013 Champions League final.
Although previous season summer transfer circuses have featured the mercurial midfielder’s name far often than not, it was during that campaigns semi final against Real Madrid that Europe’s elite teams started to treat Gundogan as a potential prize acquisition.
The German international is considered a ‘complete midfielder’. What this meant for Klopp is that the Yellow and Black always had a reliable lynchpin, whenever the famous ‘Gegenpressing’ led to a loose ball.
Of course, ultimately to succeed as a Dortmund player, due to the sides explosive unhinged style, speed of thought is as in demand as technical skill.
Instantaneous decision making with the end product, encouraged by the clubs infamous ‘Footbonaut’ training, is more than likely behind Pep’s decision to plump for the midfielder.
While such targets at Paul Pogba will always be the pinup a club the size of Manchester City now require, as well as an outstanding player of course, Gundogan, however, is the metronome that Guardiola side’s always have at the heart. Xavi at Barcelona, Xabi Alonso at Bayern, there has to be that glue that holds it all together.
His passing stats possibly even outdo the possession master’s. Gundogan’s total sits at a European record of 1,935 successful passes for this season, nearly 100 more than 2nd placed Alonso – data that would make a manager who implores losing the ball as much as Guardiola purr in delight.
Needless to say, Gundogan would be a vital first step in implementing a new possession-based style at the Etihad Stadium.
He has never achieved more than three assist in a full season, yet Gundogan’s worth has previously been in providing a perfect platform for the likes of Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, or Marco Reus – a front threesome the Citizens are not a million miles away from on a good day.
— Ilkay Gündogan (@Guendogan8) June 2, 2016
Gundogan was then perfectly accompanied by Sven Bender or Sebastian Kehl, two equally hard-working and strong in the tackle midfield units. Such an immovable twosome of the like perhaps will not be afforded by the German. Especially if Yaya Toure decides to stay and fight for a place.
The protection of his playmaker may just be Guardiola’s next port of call regarding new recruits, that is if the summer cull does not also see Fernandinho make a sharp exit.
Gundogan’s final third talents will never compare to the genius of Toure, but Man City fans will be safe in the knowledge that they have not just taken a step into an altogether more impressive brand of football, but a major leap.
“Gundogan is willing to learn and is very smart, He also brings a great attitude. Ilkay has a great passing game, is a complete player, and fits perfectly into our footballing system.” – Jurgen Klopp
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