Ilkay Gundogan - 2017/18 performances

[Dr Jacoby]

How can you say that? The kid is totally unproven.

Totally unproven in the heart of midfield? Yes, I acknowledge that. But he never looks out of place amongst a team of stars when he does make an appearance.

Perhaps it’s just me but I thought he had a great cameo last night.

 

[mccity]

A lot of fans of other teams I've spoken to in the past week have singled him out for praise. I wonder if there is any confirmation bias going on in this thread. Both positive and negative btw.

 

[grim up north]

I personally would prefer to see Zinchenko deployed in Fernandinho’s position.

He’s very comfortable in possession, seldom misplaces a pass and has much greater energy than Gundogan.

Gets better

 

[citizenyank76]

Has been a key player for us this season. Becoming a great squad player. Look to see him in the WC as well.

 

[citytilllidie]

There are very few Fernandinho's out there. Athletic, strong in the tackle, adequate in the air, good defensive and offensive reader of the game, eye for a killer pass and a goal, consistent effort, rarely injured. Big shoes to fill, Gundogan our best option out of current squad, or a fit YaYa

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

He's been tried in the pivot, agreed it doesn't work but ffs, judge the guy in his natural position... he's starting to kick on and he's suddenly surplus.

Find me a better squad alternative for £20m and I'll show my arse...

Remember when we called upon, Garcia, Rodwell, Fernando et al?? Spoilt at the moment!

 

[Dax777]

A lot of fans of other teams I've spoken to in the past week have singled him out for praise. I wonder if there is any confirmation bias going on in this thread. Both positive and negative btw.

There is. I've now watched the game 4 times, 2ice just focusing on him.

I see the errors (Doma and Neville) harped about.
-The pass to Silva that Silva was slow to and a defender dispossessed him, leading to a break away Ota got a yellow for
- The failure to continue tracking Ramsey on the cross Kompany almost bundled into our net. (This by the way wasn't an error in my view)
- His failure to get control of a ball that led to Xhakas snap shot.
- His tracking of the penalty.
- And his position on the Ramsey shot that Ederson made a poster of.

And other more minor decisional choices that I wouldn't mention to allow brevity.

These were all moments anyone who wants to convince themselves he is really poor can latch onto. But I think it's an over focus on the minor. I can pick any Fernandihn's and point out 4-5 moments like these all day.

It's the overall contribution (positives minus negatives) that matters in my view.

His positioning in general was great, hence why he intercepted 4 balls without looking like he was hustling or trying. One of only 3 players with over 90% pass completion. 3rd most touches. Most outside outside Komps and Ota. For someone who is not supposedly 'involved', he sure did touch the ball a lot. His control, give and slide kept us very fluid.

Again in conclusion, we comfortably beat Arsenal at the Emirates. His style is different and doesn't have the crunching tackles or closedown intensity of Dihno, but the overall outcome is the same. We win comfortably.

This flies in the face of the notion that Dihno is irreplaceably important for the squad... So the pushack is expected. I simply take it as a tribute to Dihno's excellence.

In the end, I think playing without Dihno will be different, but not worse. And nothing about spanking Arsenal at the Emirates suggests anything to the contrary.
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[caseball]

A better team would have scored last night. Gundogan is a nice, neat, quick thinking player who can create well and score the odd goal but he doesn't have the speed he used to have. He will never have Fernandinho's presence and authority on the pitch, which is why he had de Bruyne alongside him last night. Not the same player at all. And he looked lost at times last night. Totally out of it at times.

 

[Sir peace frog]

he's played his part in a great squad effort ,he deserves praise not slagging

 

[Sir peace frog]

A better team would have scored last night. Gundogan is a nice, neat, quick thinking player who can create well and score the odd goal but he doesn't have the speed he used to have. He will never have Fernandinho's presence and authority on the pitch, which is why he had de Bruyne alongside him last night. Not the same player at all. And he looked lost at times last night. Totally out of it at times.

how many times have we heard a better team would of ???? getting bored of it, weve played all the top teams in the league and twatted most of them.