Ilkay Gundogan

[Blue Smarties]

Made the Scousers cry, and for that, you have my heart.

 

[MillsyTheMosher]

Gutted about this. Ilkay is such a wonderful footballer and leaves a legend.

It was only a few weeks ago the likes of @Ric were hearing positive noises about him staying so it just shows how quickly things can change.

 

[HelloCity]

His replacement for that position next season will be Phil Foden.

Hopefully Phil takes the number 8 also - the number of Colin Bell.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Yep, this is all about lifestyle and keeping his wife happy. Barca the football club are a shit show, but Barcelona the city is incredible and I fully understand why he would want to move there.

Seven years in Manchester, who would have thought that when we picked him up for £20m.

I dare say we have had that money back ten-fold with what he has won us.

Barca still managed to win LaLiga last season and, as you say, the lifestyle will be incredible.

First child on the way, able to prolong his playing career, it all adds up for someone who deserves the best in life.

Great footballer, but seemingly, an even better human being.

 

[BeerIsTheBest]

He won’t even be playing at the Nou Camp next season.

You're right and the backdrop to the new stadium is interesting in that Barca have seemingly chosen the cheapest quote from a Turkish build company with other competitors dropping out, saying publicly that the fixed price quote from the Turks is ridiculously low and the project undeliverable at the agreed price.
This on top of the costs likely to be incurred. Firstly on the likely loss of litigation on the Super Lge and second on the corruption charges. All of this and the likely impending imposition from the Spanish Lge forcing Barca to seriously reduce the wage bill before they add to it. it’s a really interesting time for a player to decide to hitch to the Barca wagon.

 

[Kunlover]

It is right time for him to go and try new place to live before he retires. He will enjoy Barcelona weather. He is City legend IMO. Way too many clutch moments.

 

[CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor]

I wouldn't. But yes, did think Kovacic was an excellent player. And wanted him before Madrid. So I'm quite happy he is here.

We have to understand that we'd never replace like for like. The game is simply tweaked to highlight the advantages bod the new player.

Kevin for Yaya
Bernardo for Merlin
Rodri for Dihno
and now Kovacic for Gundogan. Just like all the other replacements before, this too will not be an inferior clone of the former, rather it would be a different take on a similar position.

I'm here for it.

Good post. Footballers come and go, love all of the players above in their own way. You cannot begrudge Ilkay the move, one final move of his career. Nobody would've ever thought he'd have given us the memories he has, what a captain he turned out to be.

Kovacic has all the attributes to be a success here.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Made the Scousers cry, and for that, you have my heart.

Something a bit Scouse about this post ;)

 

[Robanompivenov]

Possibly in the top 5 midfielders we’ve had over the past 20 years. Great servant to the club.

Best of luck, Ilkay. Thanks for the memories.

Top 5 midfielder we've had. Ever. No need for that 20 year caveat

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

You're right and the backdrop to the new stadium is interesting in that Barca have seemingly chosen the cheapest quote from a Turkish build company with other competitors dropping out, saying publicly that the fixed price quote from the Turks is ridiculously low and the project undeliverable at the agreed price.
This on top of the costs likely to be incurred. Firstly on the likely loss of litigation on the Super Lge and second on the corruption charges. All of this and the likely impending imposition from the Spanish Lge forcing Barca to seriously reduce the wage bill before they add to it. it’s a really interesting time for a player to decide to hitch to the Barca wagon.

Turkish builders, you say?

Fuck me, Gundo has really driven a hard bargain.