19 | Ilkay Gundogan - 2024/25

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It'sBlue93:20 said:
Heavy criticism on him here but actually feel he’s been better last 2. A lot of minutes into an older player isn’t ideal.
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He was comfortably one of the better players against Feyenoord, and we went to utter shit when he came off.
He struggled with their intensity yesterday, but was still better than Lewis, Bernardo and Nunes.
Obviously shouldn’t be playing so many games/minutes. But that he’s having to play so much is an indictment of our poor recruitment over the past couple of seasons, and of others who haven’t done enough to step up.
 
If Gundogan were coming on in the last 20 minutes of League games to rest players and seal out wins, we’d all be claiming his return was inspired. It’s not his fault that the midfield wasn’t properly replenished nor that younger players have been worked to the bone. If we can somehow revitalise the midfield in the coming months, Gundogan’s nous may yet give us an edge.
 
He still had a few moments where he was caught on the ball and came off second best - I think those would be fouls given in Spain and he's readjusting to the physicality of the league.
But overall he looked significantly sharper and faster today. Hopefully he can kick on until players return and hopefully add a new midfielder.
 
BLUEisville said:
He still had a few moments where he was caught on the ball and came off second best - I think those would be fouls given in Spain and he's readjusting to the physicality of the league.
But overall he looked significantly sharper and faster today. Hopefully he can kick on until players return and hopefully add a new midfielder.
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I agree with all of this. He looked happier that Kev was back.
 
Really good all-around especially until that horrible moment he got robbed in the 2nd half. Idk if he has 90 mins in him but he did look a lot better.
 
If he was playing higher up every week I think everyone would be a lot happier with the move. He's still got it in the final third. He just needs to learn the limits of his body these days and he'll be OK.
 
balotelli's back pocket said:
If he was playing higher up every week I think everyone would be a lot happier with the move. He's still got it in the final third. He just needs to learn the limits of his body these days and he'll be OK.
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Maybe be worth trying that and pushing Grealish back as he holds the ball well generally. He isn’t as good near the box as Gundogan.
 
His legs were never gone, the system had simply been leaving Gundo exposed.

I think Pep has found a solution and part of it is benching Rico Lewis.
 
Quilted said:
His legs were never gone, the system had simply been leaving Gundo exposed.

I think Pep has found a solution and part of it is benching Rico Lewis.
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Really struggling to see how you think that? As a footballer he’s pure class but his legs are gone completely. About 3xs tonight he tried a standard a Gundo turn but was robbed of the ball. The fact the ball didn’t then end up in the net was just down to a bit of luck
 
Craig said:
Really struggling to see how you think that? As a footballer he’s pure class but his legs are gone completely. About 3xs tonight he tried a standard a Gundo turn but was robbed of the ball. The fact the ball didn’t then end up in the net was just down to a bit of luck
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Aging is a real thing yes. But the way how people clamoured that Gundogan should be sitting at home sipping his tea and eating biscuits while watching Coronation Street was over the top.

In the modern game, systems make teams and systems make players. Pep is the master of this, Pep knows how to tailor certain systems for his players. As long as Gundo is not having to push too deep defensively and is partnered with the right profiles, his legs will look fine.
 
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.
 
youngbob said:
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.
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Yeah, there were moments of pure class tonight. Also moments that could have easily and will in the future cost us 2 or 3 goals. He can’t stay in the 6 role and hopefully soon Kovacic will be back to play there. His sublime turns from the past see him just get dispossessed now too often. The same started happening to Dinho towards the end
 
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Gabriel said:
If Gundogan were coming on in the last 20 minutes of League games to rest players and seal out wins, we’d all be claiming his return was inspired. It’s not his fault that the midfield wasn’t properly replenished nor that younger players have been worked to the bone. If we can somehow revitalise the midfield in the coming months, Gundogan’s nous may yet give us an edge.
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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.
 
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