Ilkay Gundogan

[Blue Smarties]

Made the Scousers cry, and for that, you have my heart.

 

[MillsyTheMosher]

Gutted about this. Ilkay is such a wonderful footballer and leaves a legend.

It was only a few weeks ago the likes of @Ric were hearing positive noises about him staying so it just shows how quickly things can change.

 

[HelloCity]

His replacement for that position next season will be Phil Foden.

Hopefully Phil takes the number 8 also - the number of Colin Bell.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Yep, this is all about lifestyle and keeping his wife happy. Barca the football club are a shit show, but Barcelona the city is incredible and I fully understand why he would want to move there.

Seven years in Manchester, who would have thought that when we picked him up for £20m.

I dare say we have had that money back ten-fold with what he has won us.

Barca still managed to win LaLiga last season and, as you say, the lifestyle will be incredible.

First child on the way, able to prolong his playing career, it all adds up for someone who deserves the best in life.

Great footballer, but seemingly, an even better human being.

 

[BeerIsTheBest]

He won’t even be playing at the Nou Camp next season.

You're right and the backdrop to the new stadium is interesting in that Barca have seemingly chosen the cheapest quote from a Turkish build company with other competitors dropping out, saying publicly that the fixed price quote from the Turks is ridiculously low and the project undeliverable at the agreed price.
This on top of the costs likely to be incurred. Firstly on the likely loss of litigation on the Super Lge and second on the corruption charges. All of this and the likely impending imposition from the Spanish Lge forcing Barca to seriously reduce the wage bill before they add to it. it’s a really interesting time for a player to decide to hitch to the Barca wagon.

 

[Kunlover]

It is right time for him to go and try new place to live before he retires. He will enjoy Barcelona weather. He is City legend IMO. Way too many clutch moments.

 

[CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor]

I wouldn't. But yes, did think Kovacic was an excellent player. And wanted him before Madrid. So I'm quite happy he is here.

We have to understand that we'd never replace like for like. The game is simply tweaked to highlight the advantages bod the new player.

Kevin for Yaya
Bernardo for Merlin
Rodri for Dihno
and now Kovacic for Gundogan. Just like all the other replacements before, this too will not be an inferior clone of the former, rather it would be a different take on a similar position.

I'm here for it.

Good post. Footballers come and go, love all of the players above in their own way. You cannot begrudge Ilkay the move, one final move of his career. Nobody would've ever thought he'd have given us the memories he has, what a captain he turned out to be.

Kovacic has all the attributes to be a success here.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Made the Scousers cry, and for that, you have my heart.

Something a bit Scouse about this post ;)

 

[Robanompivenov]

Possibly in the top 5 midfielders we’ve had over the past 20 years. Great servant to the club.

Best of luck, Ilkay. Thanks for the memories.

Top 5 midfielder we've had. Ever. No need for that 20 year caveat

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

You're right and the backdrop to the new stadium is interesting in that Barca have seemingly chosen the cheapest quote from a Turkish build company with other competitors dropping out, saying publicly that the fixed price quote from the Turks is ridiculously low and the project undeliverable at the agreed price.
This on top of the costs likely to be incurred. Firstly on the likely loss of litigation on the Super Lge and second on the corruption charges. All of this and the likely impending imposition from the Spanish Lge forcing Barca to seriously reduce the wage bill before they add to it. it’s a really interesting time for a player to decide to hitch to the Barca wagon.

Turkish builders, you say?

Fuck me, Gundo has really driven a hard bargain.

 

[Jazzman]

Yep, this is all about lifestyle and keeping his wife happy. Barca the football club are a shit show, but Barcelona the city is incredible and I fully understand why he would want to move there.

Fucking wife, why can't she wait 2 years and let her husband finish his career in the best team of the world. After that they have the rest of their lives to do what she wants.

 

[Blue Smarties]

Something a bit Scouse about this post ;)

Fuck it, may as well go full Scouse now - no more work for me this afternoon!

 

[Chak19]

Sad if true, hopefully Barca will still be shit in the CL so they don't challenge us but he'll definitely make them stronger.

 

[kun]

Good luck to him.

Extremely sad to see him go but he leaves a club legend.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Top 5 midfielder we've had. Ever. No need for that 20 year caveat

Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Yaya, Rodri, David Silva, Bernardo Silva…lots of incredible midfielders in the past 20 years.

 

[CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor]

Fuck it, may as well go full Scouse now - no more work for me this afternoon!

This year more like.

Fuck it, this lifetime. Where's the nearest 'jobby'? Sign on, sign on.

 

[D'Silva]

How much anyone bet Ilkay will speak much better Spanish in 2 years than Bellingham his entire stay there? I'm still traumatized listening to Bale and Beckham's "Spanish" interviews when they left Madrid.

 

[Keith Moon]

Seven years in Manchester, who would have thought that when we picked him up for £20m.

I dare say we have had that money back ten-fold with what he has won us.

Barca still managed to win LaLiga last season and, as you say, the lifestyle will be incredible.

First child on the way, able to prolong his playing career, it all adds up for someone who deserves the best in life.

Great footballer, but seemingly, an even better human being.

You can't end your time at a club in a better way then Gundo, its Kompanys exit on steroids.

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

Great player. Thank you and all the best for the future

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

It is right time for him to go and try new place to live before he retires. He will enjoy Barcelona weather. He is City legend IMO. Way too many clutch moments.

Of course he’s a legend, won us the title last year, won us the fa cup this year, captain of the fuckin treble! Needs a stand named after him never mind a statue. One of the most underrated players to ever play for us. Only the last few years he’s been getting the recognition he deserves. And to top it all off seems like a really lovely bloke as well who does loads for charity.