19 | Ilkay Gundogan - 2024/25

[M23 Citizen]

Bringing him back was a no brainer with the idea that he could give Rodri a break, come off the bench for minutes and hold down the fort against "lesser" teams but with Rodri now out for the season there's fuck all chance he has the legs to see out 90 minutes constantly.

La Liga has sucked all the sharpness from his game too.

Gündoğan isn’t playing in Rodri’s position, Kovačić is. Gündoğan is deputising for de Bruyne at the moment.

The thing is, we’ve got Foden, McAtee and even Nunes who can play where Gundo is currently operating in attacking midfield and he’s starting every week ahead of them and doing next to nothing.

Surely McAtee could have played with the confidence of his big performance for the U21s in midweek and achieved more in that game that Gundo managed?

Gündoğan looks like he needs a few weeks out of the team where he’s just concentrating on his fitness and sharpness in training.

 

[supercity88]

Gündoğan isn’t playing in Rodri’s position, Kovačić is. Gündoğan is deputising for de Bruyne at the moment.

The thing is, we’ve got Foden, McAtee and even Nunes who can play where Gundo is currently operating in attacking midfield and he’s starting every week ahead of them and doing next to nothing.

Surely McAtee could have played with the confidence of his big performance for the U21s in midweek and achieved more in that game that Gundo managed?

Gündoğan looks like he needs a few weeks out of the team where he’s just concentrating on his fitness and sharpness in training.

I still believe the player he was is in there and he can make an impact for us. But we're not seeing it at the moment. His touch or final ball or even his decision making are all way off it at the moment and he needs to be out of the team for a while. I completely agree that McAtee deserved a shot, although I can understand Pep being cautious after we lost there last season. I was stunned Foden didn't start though, but I would anticipate Gundo moving onto the bench in a couple of weeks as Foden becomes the starter and De Bruyne returns. That will do him good, his impact off the bench with his ability to find space will be a make him a much bigger threat.

 

[gaz76]

Think pep is stuck on trying to play him into form, hope it works

 

[BlueMonkey79]

A sentimental signing.

At least we saw the best of him during his ripe years.

He is never gonna be the player we are used to seeing in sky blue. He wasn't the quickest to start with, but his brain was electric. Looks like his thought process has slowed down now too.

He lost the ball with ease at weekend. And when he got it, he didn't know what to do with it.

Shame to see, as he's one of my all time favourite City players.

 

[Dax777]

A sentimental signing.

At least we saw the best of him during his ripe years.

He is never gonna be the player we are used to seeing in sky blue. He wasn't the quickest to start with, but his brain was electric. Looks like his thought process has slowed down now too.

He lost the ball with ease at weekend. And when he got it, he didn't know what to do with it.

Shame to see, as he's one of my all time favourite City players.

For this reason alone, I campaigned against bringing him back. We saw him at his peak. Let's not sully that feeling.

But in light of the injuries that happened. I figured I was wrong. At least he's a warm body. But he is no where near what he was. And that was always going to be the case.

 

[WallyA]

I like him more as a CDM, he is just too old and lacks energy in the final 3rd.

Atleast his metronome quality shined as a CDM, even if he lacks the defensive side.

Him or Kova rotate every game, dont even care who.

Let Bernie, Foden, Nunes and McAtee play as the more attacking mid.

 

[Chak19]

I like him more as a CDM, he is just too old and lacks energy in the final 3rd.

Atleast his metronome quality shined as a CDM, even if he lacks the defensive side.

Him or Kova rotate every game, dont even care who.

Let Bernie, Foden, Nunes and McAtee play as the more attacking mid.

He would need protection though so will do it ?

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Is it possible.. Brokelona broke him?!?!?

Didn't look his best tonight either.. and I don't normally slag off any player after just one game.. but for a couple of games now he's been slow, tepid, lacking creativity.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Is it possible.. Brokelona broke him?!?!?

Didn't look his best tonight either.. and I don't normally slag off any player after just one game.. but for a couple of games now he's been slow, tepid, lacking creativity.

I mean, he turns 34 tomorrow.

Quite a few saying "McAtee isn't a 6" to counter the fact that he's starting over him after playing 90 minutes three days ago is, in my opinion, just stupid. We were always going to dominate and only have to defend the odd counterattack. He's likely past his best, but I don't think Pep is doing him any favors.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

I mean, he turns 34 tomorrow.

Quite a few saying "McAtee isn't a 6" to counter the fact that he's starting over him after playing 90 minutes three days ago is, in my opinion, just stupid. We were always going to dominate and only have to defend the odd counterattack. He's likely past his best, but I don't think Pep is doing him any favors.

Last season Pep overused Rodri.. so much so that Rodri was begging for a rest.

I think Gundo's going to be given a lot of games.. even if we don't agree with it.

Basically someone's going to out play him in training.. just like Foden and Rico did to earn their spots.