Ilkay Gundogan

[wolfie1988]

I will get slated for this, however…

I’m not moved by this. I actually think it’s a step backwards. He is a legend however we should be looking forward.


I would be much happier signing another right back and having Rico having minutes in midfield.

Disappointing.

See it as a bit of a stop gap and nothing else. The player or players we want just aren't available and the market isn't moving. He's an extra body in an unprecedented season. Nobody is expecting him to come in and steal the show.

Also, I'm not having Rico in midfield, especially after Sunday. He's a right back. He may be able to move inside from right back but he isn't a midfielder. It's a bit like Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. All the talk of them being midfielders but you actually get the best out of them from full back because they get that bit more space and time to operate and everything is in front of them.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

We ain't no charity and if there was the slightest doubt Gundogan would not contribute we would not be considering bringing him back.

We're not just bringing him back to play though because he'll become a coach and possibly a righthand man to Pep. Gundogan has a good aura about him and commands respect. When he talks players listen because he's intelligent and a likeable guy. I won't be surprised if he goes on to become a top manager.

 

[MafeotulBlue]

If you look not only at his 19 G/A, but at his distance ran, chances created, he tops charts, or is in the top 5 in La Liga, amongst 500+ players.

I don’t know what else to say to convince the nay sayers.

 

[Abattoir Blue]

looking at Germans who have played for us and who the fuck is Dino Toppmöller? Never heard of him. Didn’t play a game but signed in 2001 then left same year?

He didnt have much of a playing career, but he is now manager of Eintracht Frankfurt! And his dad was a good striker in 70s and coach of the (in)famous 2002 'Neverkusen' team.

I love German football but genuinely have no memory of him signing either. Tbf he seemingly signed under Royle as we were about to be relegated in 2001 in a very forgettable campaign. Can't remember much after Christmas at all (to give myself a break I finished uni that year so was a bit busy) except an away win at Leicester with a Wanchope backheel, and the 1-1 at OT where Howey scored and Haaland Sr was taken out.

 

[shroom]

And his dad was a good striker in 70s.

Attended Klaus' NASL debut. He scored a pen. And then his leg fell off.

 

[Gremlin]

I agr

I will get slated for this, however…

I’m not moved by this. I actually think it’s a step backwards. He is a legend however we should be looking forward.


I would be much happier signing another right back and having Rico having minutes in midfield.

Disappointing.

I agree….

….you’re going to get slated for this.

 

[Coatigan]

He wanted an extra year but we didn't offfer him that. Besides that his mind at the time was up made to leave. I didn't begrudge him wanting a fresh challenge after leaving City on a high when winning the Champions League. Not odd reasoning at all.

Nobody knows who offerd or asked for what. We do however know his mind was made up to leave. Because he told us. Now his mind might seem made up to come back.

 

[waspish]

Bet be Friday teatime he signs

 

[kippaxwarrior]

Bet be Friday teatime he signs

Sooner than that if everything goes to plan. Would expect him to probably fly in today/tomorrow morning for the medical, contact ect. Has to registered by noon on Friday to be part of the squad for Saturday.

I'm going for tomorrow night it'll be announced

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

RAWK still silent about this, which, given as it’s all over the media now is a clear sign this is their oh fuck moment, much like when Hank Schrader had his dawn moment and found out his own brother in law was Heisenberg.

 

[BringBackSwales]

If you look not only at his 19 G/A, but at his distance ran, chances created, he tops charts, or is in the top 5 in La Liga, amongst 500+ players.

I don’t know what else to say to convince the nay sayers.

Some people just like a good moan, can’t help themselves

 

[Kippaxpete]

If you look not only at his 19 G/A, but at his distance ran, chances created, he tops charts, or is in the top 5 in La Liga, amongst 500+ players.

I don’t know what else to say to convince the nay sayers.

By any standard, his stats from the past year are hugely impressive.

 

[jimharri]

If you look not only at his 19 G/A, but at his distance ran, chances created, he tops charts, or is in the top 5 in La Liga, amongst 500+ players.

I don’t know what else to say to convince the nay sayers.

Save your breath. You won't convince them.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Bet be Friday teatime he signs

Devon or Cornwall be you from?

 

[franksinatra]

If you look not only at his 19 G/A, but at his distance ran, chances created, he tops charts, or is in the top 5 in La Liga, amongst 500+ players.

I don’t know what else to say to convince the nay sayers.

You cannot say anything in all honesty.

He is a German international, started for the club previously, knows Peps system and the players inside out, no adaptation period required, able to cover the Rodri role, we have not managed to fill since he left, and also more advanced positions. This in a season where we may face a record number of games, will cost us nothing and people still find fault with the move.

It is mind boggling but there you go.

 

[Ajm1985]

See it as a bit of a stop gap and nothing else. The player or players we want just aren't available and the market isn't moving. He's an extra body in an unprecedented season. Nobody is expecting him to come in and steal the show.

Also, I'm not having Rico in midfield, especially after Sunday. He's a right back. He may be able to move inside from right back but he isn't a midfielder. It's a bit like Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. All the talk of them being midfielders but you actually get the best out of them from full back because they get that bit more space and time to operate and everything is in front of them.

I'd caveat that by saying not available at the price we wanted to pay - Guimaraes had a release clause and could have been available for cheaper than that in June (Newcastle agreed a fee of £75m with Liverpool for Gordon which was purely PSR).

 

[kippaxwarrior]

Slyman Stone now reporting this on the BBC, only 2 days after the news broke

 

[Ajm1985]

You cannot say anything all honesty.

He is a German international, started for the club previously, knows Peps system and the players inside out, no adaptation period required, able to cover the Rodri role we have not managed to fill since he left and also more advanced positions in a season where we may face a record number of games, will cost us nothing and people still find fault with the move.

It is mind boggling but there you go.

Think I'm in the camp where I am happy enough for Gundo to come back (low risk deal) but also disappointed that we've not taken meaningful steps to address the position for the future. Unless we really believe Nunes can have a breakout season, and there's been no indication we believe that, our 6 options are getting on. By June next year our midfield options for 6 will be Rodri 29, Kovacic 31, Gundogan 34.

 

[MafeotulBlue]

Think I'm in the camp where I am happy enough for Gundo to come back (low risk deal) but also disappointed that we've not taken meaningful steps to address the position for the future. Unless we really believe Nunes can have a breakout season, and there's been no indication we believe that, our 6 options are getting on. By June next year our midfield options for 6 will be Rodri 29, Kovacic 31, Gundogan 34.

I think Madrid winning two UCL's and 2 La Liga's and two Club World Cups, and two Supercups with Kroos and Modric at 33-35+ should give you some answers. if we haven't found the players, the board won't move. We haven't found the players yet.

 

[Coatigan]

Save your breath. You won't convince them.

I don't think it is unreasonable to have reservations about this one.

Depends on how far you take it I suppose.