Ilkay Gundogan

[Rhapsody in Blue]

Who can blame him? It doesn't get better than this for him.

Aston Villa last season, Everton, Man United this season. As they said about Vinnie, cometh the hour...

Thanks for everything Mr Whippy, we have been truly blessed having you in our team.

 

[Baggins.mcfc]

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Nailed it

 

[BerkshireBlue]

Be a bit curious to know what Ilkay will be on per week at Barca that we couldn't — or weren't willing to — match. I thought they were supposed to have financial problems.

they'll do their usual trick of promising x and then giving you half of that when the shit hits the fan

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Be a bit curious to know what Ilkay will be on per week at Barca that we couldn't — or weren't willing to — match. I thought they were supposed to have financial problems.

 

[Summerbuzz]

I'll be honest, I think the contract length plays a part. City won't be offering 33 year olds >1 yr extensions willy nilly. You could call this a special case, but I guarantee - every time it comes to that with a good player, we'll be pleading that it is a special case.

I expect City to stick to their guns. Agents fees, in the time after Mancini. Kane.... many other transfers. Sticking with the small squad rather than panic buying last summer when Cucurella fell through.

City's management can point to a stellar track record - built over several years - that does appear to justify their "stick to your guns" approach.

I also think there's reason to play nice with Barca. They nicked Garcia for nowt. But they felt fleeced over Torres. It's time to bury that hatchet. City have political enemies / rivals at Real, PSG and all the american owners (especially in the premier league). Meanwhile, Barca are getting hammered by Tebas, who is remarkably pro-Real in his pronouncements (at least by my estimation). There's no reason for us to be on less than good terms.

 

[fulabeer]

Be a bit curious to know what Ilkay will be on per week at Barca that we couldn't — or weren't willing to — match. I thought they were supposed to have financial problems.

I think it was length of contract we wouldn't match.
Plus if his missus really isn't happy here, then money wouldn't be the most important thing.

 

[Silva2021]

One CL final goal away from a statue.

Will forever be remembered.

Class act on and off the pitch.

For those questioning his choice, he seems a highly intelligent man who has took his time and made a decisions based on factors (majority of which we can only guess).

Have to respect.

Whereas I feel he could perform another 3 years if managed well at the top, there are examples of numerous players signed on contracts at a time they where very good and whose form drops off.

 

[Withnail]

A class act both on and off the pitch. Ilkay will be sorely missed and I wish him well for the future. What a way to end his City career winning the treble.

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

Wounded. As soon as the CL was won, he was gone I reckon - why not bow out on a high? I watched a Kompany thing recently and he decided to leave after scoring that Leicester goal because why wouldn't you go out on top?

Gundo probably still thinking the same and he's given us that much since being here that he's earned that right to make a decision.

The Villa goals, the FA Cup final goals, that 20/21 season - loads of brilliant, brilliant memories at a bargain price. What a piece of business.

Versatile genius, good luck.

Irreplaceable in my view

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

I think it was length of contract we wouldn't match.
Plus if his missus really isn't happy here, then money wouldn't be the most important thing.

Exactly, I doubt this is to do with money.