Ilkay Gundogan - Done Deal

[halfcenturyup]

Rinus Michels played for the old Ajax manager, Jack Reynolds. Reynolds was from Prestwich and was on City’s books as a youth player (his Brother played for City).

At Ajax’s old De Meer stadium, they had a stand named after Reynolds. There’s a hospitality suite at the Amsterdam Arena named after him now.

Ajax and Total Football - The Jack Reynolds story — Ajax Daily

It is nearly impossible these days for anyone to remember Amsterdam as anything but a modern vibrant city where nearly anything goes. However in the years after the end of the Second World War, the Dutch capital was a very conservative and staid place. Writing in his 1955 book ‘The Fall,’ French...

www.ajaxdaily.com

Yep. It's a great (and surprising to many) connection. And hardly anyone knows about it. Total football coming home indeed. I wonder if Guardiola knows the connection? It's one of the reasons "I would love it, just love it" if the legacy was continued at City for another generation beyond Guardiola.

This is the sort of thing that would be commercialised all over the place if it was United or Liverpool. The club does seem to often miss opportunities for self-promotion.

 

[Buckshaw Blue]

What a terribly run club Barca seems to be. Looks like they are hounding Gundo out the door. For me he’s more than welcome back here. Very useful squad addition for at least a year or 2.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Let's not forget, this striker signing could be that lad from West Ham, maybe we're struggling with a settlement fee as they wanted 1.5m for him

I doubt he is anywhere near good enough though it is strange we must want him for something.

 

[Stato]

I doubt he is anywhere near good enough though it is strange we must want him for something.

Could be a city group by rather than a city one

 

[hihosilva]

With the announcement of his international retirement Gundo is at the stage of his career where he's thinking about the future. Although he still has one or two seasons left at top level but with no commitment to internationals i'm sure he will put that time to good use getting his coaching badges.
Returning to City makes a lot of sense going forward where he can be an integral squad player whilst making that change to coaching. Under Pep & CFG he has the very best opportunity to fulfil his next stage in his career.

 

[Crooked_rain]

Only thing that can stop this is if Barcelona get stupid with their demands imo. Can see them trying to force him to Saudi if they offer a transfer fee

Well apparently they've said he can go on a free, which means he should get the choice where goes. If that's true, then it'd be shite from Barca if they did a U-turn on saying he can go for free.

I think they will let him for go for nothing. They got him for free and they're desperate to get new players registered, so it makes sense to just let him go ASAP with no fuss.

still, does Gundo even want a return? We might want it but he has to. If he still has plenty of ambition then I could see how he might fancy coming back for a year or two.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

I feel like he's a different person professionally and privately and he's been able to separate the two well.

But yeah, he's a fucking weapon off the pitch.

Doesn't matter. These guys, whether they like it or not are role models to countless kids (and some adults) around the world, and part of the deal is acting like it.

He falls so far short it's laughable.

Personally I'd be fine if the guy never pulled on the shirt again full stop never mind being the bloody captain.

 

[Bozo]

Please come home Gundo, I will cry

 

[Asa's left peg]

Only thing that can stop this is if Barcelona get stupid with their demands imo. Can see them trying to force him to Saudi if they offer a transfer fee

tbf, all Gundy has to say is, no I'm not going anywhere if you start demanding a fee, then you can't register or pay Olmo.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Yeah it’ll all come down to the impact on playing time for city legend Matheus Nunes.

You forgot to mention the other three.