Ilkay Gundogan - 2017/18 performances

[Dax777]

Funnily, I think his positioning is one of the two things that he lacks for that position, especially when compared to Fernandinho. The other is getting the ball out of his feet and moving it on without losing it.

I have been impressed by Gundogan, make no mistake, but he is a pale shadow of Fernandinho in the pivoting DM position. The thing that Ferna is world class at is receiving the ball and moving it (and them himself) around the middle of the park. The other is breaking down the opposition’s attacks.

Ilkay is clearly a better forward-looking player that Ferna, but as Pep stated earlier this season, Gundogan is being compared to one of the absolute best players IN THE WORLD in that position!!!

Actually, that's Fernandihno's weakest point. Against pressure he is quite loose with his passing. Gundogan will prove to be a far better producer in that aspect of the game.

Dihno's strength are his heading, and his closedown speed when we press up. He is also a far better tackler.
In possession, Gundogan will be better at the base eventually. Of that I have no doubt. But I'm a lot more impressed with his understanding of positioning and doubling. At least from today.

I think they'll play the role differently, but our success would be pretty similar. I mean, we just thumped Arsenal on their patch by 3 goals in one half without Dihno. That alone suggests a lot.

 

[ADegenerate]

Actually, that's Fernandihno's weakest point. Against pressure he is quite loose with his passing. Gundogan will prove to be a far better producer in that aspect of the game.

Dihno's strength are his heading, and his closedown speed when we press up. He is also a far better tackler.
In possession, Gundogan will be better at the base eventually. Of that I have no doubt. But I'm a lot more impressed with his understanding of positioning and doubling. At least from today.

I think they'll play the role differently, but our success would be pretty similar. I mean, we just thumped Arsenal on their patch by 3 goals in one half without Dihno. That alone suggests a lot.

Great point Dax. Your post really got me thinking because we typically see eye to eye but not this position at all + role at all.

The part in bold is correct but leaves out what I think is most important....his ability to kill attack’s out instantly. The only thing that we need to worry about with this squad is killing off some bullshit counter or quick attack off a free kick. Seriously. That’s crazy how good we are. Gundogan is terrible at this and Fernandinho is the best in the world at it.

 

[Dax777]

Great point Dax. Your post really got me thinking because we typically see eye to eye but not this position at all + role at all.

The part in bold is correct but leaves out what I think is most important....his ability to kill attack’s out instantly. The only thing that we need to worry about with this squad is killing off some bullshit counter or quick attack off a free kick. Seriously. That’s crazy how good we are. Gundogan is terrible at this and Fernandinho is the best in the world at it.

I guess I lumped that into his 'closedown speed when we press'

Yes he is good at it. But Kompany was the one doing it today. Watch the First half again. On 3 occasions Gundogan just positioned himself to intercept or recover the ball, and 2 other times in the 2n he stole a ball by using a soft double.

Gundogan will be fine. Those who want to see hustle and tackles will complain. But when you look at the board at the end of the game, wellw be well up and comfortable. That's how you'd know he's done his job.

 

[ADegenerate]

I guess I lumped that into his 'closedown speed when we press'

Yes he is good at it. But Kompany was the one doing it today. Watch the First half again. On 3 occasions Gundogan just positioned himself to intercept or recover the ball, and 2 other times in the 2n he stole a ball by using a soft double.

Gundogan will be fine. Those who want to see hustle and tackles will complain. But when you look at the board at the end of the game, wellw be well up and comfortable. That's how you'd know he's done his job.

We’d agree that Pep adapted and took the value in the things that I pointed out for Ferandinho over what Gundogan adds though right?

I just want to kinda kill off the old school Guardiola style because I think he’s evolving + bettering it and it should be observed.

 

[Project]

It took him a while to get into the game. But second half especially he was majestic. I’d implore fans to watch again if they can, or find a YouTube compilation of his game. Less dithering on the ball than in recent weeks and much more crisp in the pass, 1-2 touch, keeping possession flowing and making vertical passes constantly. He bossed it. I feel much more at ease about the Chelsea game after that second half performance.

 

[Rhapsody in Blue]

Gundo makes my head in, and I can't figure him out, but I have a feeling that he is slightly overrated.

Yesterday, he really had the chance to step up, but hardly wanted the ball, didn't offer anything in particular going forward, and not protecting the back four either. When Fernandinho has a bad game, he still wants the ball and wants to contribute, but there were times I literally didn't see Gundogan, although the ball was in the center of the field.

I have been really disappointed with him in recent games, and I think his decision making has been poor. He tends to hold the ball for too long as well. Feels bad to complain when things are going as well as they are, but he is not convincing me. If he doesn't start delivering, I think he will be phased out and we might see CMs like Fred and Weigl coming in.

Seeing Pep giving Gundo instructions at the ht break tells me that he wasn't too happy either.

 

[Hungarian blue]

I thought the criticism was quite harsh on him after the final, so was surprised that people actually liked his last performance more. I thought this role didn't really suit as he was too casual receiving the ball and turning with it. It worked better in the 2nd half, but it just didn't feel right without Fernandinho. Of course, maybe he'd improve in time as it was quite a change from his usual role in this side.

 

[RandomJ]

I just don't think he is half the player he was in Germany. I know he's had rotten luck with injuries and maybe they've played a role in that but his performances for us this season have been nothing to write home about. Needs to step it up next season.

 

[blue ranger]

I thought he had an excellent game against arsenal. Can’t believe what I’m reading here.

 

[Gabriel]

Last night, they put Ozil on him for the first 15 minutes, followed him absolutely everywhere, and he probably didn't do enough to shake him. Needed to be braver and drop between Kompany and Otamendi in such instances, but maybe he's reluctant to trust them to then bring it out into the space he's vacated; Stones is arguably better at doing that, but we know he's working his way back into form. Gundogan simply cannot win the aerial duels in the way Fernandinho can, so we really shouldn't expect him to.

Once the goals were scored Gundogan was freed from the shackle of a marker, and he was basically running the midfield in the last 15 minutes.