19 | Ilkay Gundogan - 2024/25

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Absolutely horrible watching him in our half at points tonight. I expected his legs to go but he's even thinking slower as well. Always getting caught on the ball, always chasing opposition players who are faster and lighter on their feet.

But then I watch the first goal back - Gundo drifting effortlessly into the channel and lofting it to De Bruyne at the back post - and I know he's still in there somewhere. Rodri's injury has robbed us of a better final season for Ilkay.

“Thinking slower”

He’s just turned 34, he’s not your 90 year old gran pissing on the floor in a care home still thinking we’re in the war.

Honestly some of the complete waffle people post on here is astonishing.

 

[Gabriel]

His great strength was dictating the tempo of the game. I don't go along with this theory that he was brought back to help see games out.
He left as the treble winning captain an absolute hero in my eyes. He should have stayed left.

For me, he probably left at the optimal time for himself. Even before he left he was finding it difficult to play without Rodri there to bolster the midfield, though he wasn't alone in that regard; but that situation was down to the club failing to find a suitable replacement for the Spaniard.

Part of our problem last year was that, minus de Bruyne, we lacked composure in the final third (Doku/Haaland/Foden squandered so many situations last season), and I'm sure we thought his presence could just calm things up there. Alas, injuries to others have seen him play much further back and doing far more running than he'd have liked.

I still think a midfield of Rodri, Kovacic, and Gundogan would have been very interesting to see, but the ravages of this season might make that unfeasible. Pity.

 

[TonyM]

“Thinking slower”

He’s just turned 34, he’s not your 90 year old gran pissing on the floor in a care home still thinking we’re in the war.

Honestly some of the complete waffle people post on here is astonishing.

The fitter and more able you are the more likely you are to make better decisions as a player. Its how a good player seems to have way more space and time than everyone else.

Gungogan is an example of where he looks slower in thought because otha dip in his general fitness. Add to that that his confidence is being seeped away.

I don't think anyone is saying that he is turning senile. :-)

 

[HaalandxKdb9]

Sadly he lost it, i don’t think we will see the gundo we knew. Cant explain How its possible to make a dip like that after the season im Barcelona. Yes hes not the fastest but he Wasnt before. Still managed to bring calmness into the Team but now he is the one who looses the Ball in dangerous areas. Its not a „no Rodri“ behind him thing. Think this season he managed to loose the ball more often in the dangerous areas than all seasons before together.

 

[kaz7]

I thought he played well, just clicks with kev , good signs

 

[Bluewars II]

Gundo needs to simplify his game to just sitting in front of the defence, pass wide. Forward, recycle and reset that's it!

Forget about runs into the box, taking multiple touches when surrounded, he needs to receive and release, he doesn't have the legs for anything else.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I thought that was his best game since his return. The ‘well done Gundo’s’ outnumbered the ‘ffs Gundo’ by about three to one. Thought he did a lot really well.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

I thought that was his best game since his return. The ‘well done Gundo’s’ outnumbered the ‘ffs Gundo’ by about three to one. Thought he did a lot really well.

I agree. And, having Jack and Kev breaking forward helped him out a lot and he got forward a lot more last night.
Once Lewis and Nunes came on it was more ‘pass the way you’re facing’ and let them move at us in a line, which will never suit him (and never would have suited him at 27).

 

[Pedestrian]

Gundo needs to simplify his game to just sitting in front of the defence, pass wide. Forward, recycle and reset that's it!

Forget about runs into the box, taking multiple touches when surrounded, he needs to receive and release, he doesn't have the legs for anything else.

I’d prefer him running into the box. That’s what he’s good at. He’s no holding type midfielder. His passing range is superb but he can’t win the ball back and is far too leggy for any kind of defensive duty.

 

[mattcity5]

Did some excellent work yesterday, but also at times got caught in possession like he never used to. Don't think others are quite picking up the positions he's used to them being in, so sometimes he doesn't quite have the support around him that he needs. He's also having to do stuff that he isn't quite equipped for physically any more, but he's doing his best.

I was all for him coming back and being backup or a squad player, but he's practically been ever present and that's been forced on us by the injuries. I'm sure we never planned on him having such a major role and he does look like he needs a rest soon too.