19 | Ilkay Gundogan - 2024/25

He was obviously brought back just to ease the pressure on Rodri, but unfortunately his injury has meant Gundogan has had to play far more than we anticipated and it's clearly taking its toll. Pep needs to find a midfield solution soon, because a Kovacic/Gundogan/Bernardo trio isn't the answer.
 
Johnny Mars Bar said:
The bloke came back to be an impactful super sub and help prop up the squad.

He’s been flogged to fuck as half our squad are in hospital. Hardly his fault.

His passing accuracy and intelligence is still there even if he’s lost a bit of speed.

The people on here slagging him off know fuck all about football.
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It was never mentioned or hinted at the time of his signing or since by anyone that he was only back to be a sub and prop up the squad. He was the top chance creator in La Liga last season with 97 chances created for teammates and got in the La Liga team of the season. That’s not some bit part player with low expectations on game time or quality.
 
Ric said:
He was obviously brought back just to ease the pressure on Rodri, but unfortunately his injury has meant Gundogan has had to play far more than we anticipated and it's clearly taking its toll. Pep needs to find a midfield solution soon, because a Kovacic/Gundogan/Bernardo trio isn't the answer.
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Gündoğan isn’t deputising for Rodri, he’s playing in central/attacking midfield. The only game Gundo has played in Rodri’s position was against Spurs in midweek.

Kovačić is playing in Rodri’s position.
 
Ric said:
He was obviously brought back just to ease the pressure on Rodri, but unfortunately his injury has meant Gundogan has had to play far more than we anticipated and it's clearly taking its toll. Pep needs to find a midfield solution soon, because a Kovacic/Gundogan/Bernardo trio isn't the answer.
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Think it's been further exacerbated by De Bruyne's injury and Foden's slow start as well. Ilkay was brought back to play 30 mins here and 20 mins there, maybe start the odd cup game. Things will improve when he's able to do just that. I think Foden and Nunes in front of Kovacic is the way to go just for now, with Bernardo out wide. Savinho, Doku, and Grealish all being out simultaneously also hasn't helped but them being back will also make things easier. It's just hard to make a proper assessment of anything because of how many players are missing. Hopefully something resembling Ederson Lewis Akanji Ake Gvardiol Kovacic Nunes Foden Savinho Haaland Doku can play Sporting, and hopefully Walker, and Grealish can come back for Brighton. If we can get draws out of the next two games and go again after the international break then we'll be fine.
 
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Ric said:
He was obviously brought back just to ease the pressure on Rodri, but unfortunately his injury has meant Gundogan has had to play far more than we anticipated and it's clearly taking its toll. Pep needs to find a midfield solution soon, because a Kovacic/Gundogan/Bernardo trio isn't the answer.
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Regardless of what he was brought back for it’s still quite shocking the decline. I was under the impression he’d had a good year at Barca, looked leaner and fitter than I’d seen him in a while, but he’s been truly awful in practically every minute he’s played since being back, so slow it’s frightening. The opposition target him, it was very noticeable yesterday that Bournemouth man marked him as soon as we play a ball into him they can nick it off him and start a counter. Shame really as I had high hopes for him providing us with options and the odd goal.
 
M23 Citizen said:
It was never mentioned or hinted at the time of his signing or since by anyone that he was only back to be a sub and prop up the squad. He was the top chance creator in La Liga last season with 97 chances created for teammates and got in the La Liga team of the season. That’s not some bit part player with low expectations on game time or quality.
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La Liga is a slower league, less physicality but more technical, hence it suited his style of play and lack of athleticism.
When a legend leaves your club, leave them alone.
 
If you consider a midfield trio being made up with a 6, 8 and 10, then Gundogan has been playing as a 6 or 8 for us, like he did with us prior.

But I think his legs are gone for that and Pep probably should just use him as a 10, we barely see him on the edge of the box because he is deeper than Bernie or Foden.

Bernie makes more sense as an 8, than a 10, he can run. Use Gundogan like Kevin, more as a playmaker and shot taker.
 
With any luck he will leave in Jan, no hard feelings hes just finished at this level. Go to NYCFC or do whatever he needs to do and take it out of Peps hands otherwise hes going to play every fucking game whilst our midfield rots away.
 
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