How Man City will line up with Ilkay Gundogan

Muhammad Butt

Updated: 22 Aug 2024 10:08 BST
5 min read

Line-up Ilkay Gundogan Man City — © IMAGO

Manchester City are on the verge of sensationally re-signing Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona.

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Gundogan left Man City after the 2022/23 season, having scored 6 goals in his final 7 appearances - including a brace in the FA Cup final - to guide them to an incredible treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

He departed as their captain, leaving on a free transfer to join Barcelona, a club he had always dreamed of playing for. He was even linked with the Blaugrana way back when he was still a Borussia Dortmund player, such was his similarity in profile to then midfield maestro Xavi.

© IMAGO - Gundogan ended up playing FOR Xavi instead of with him.

In the end, he signed to play for Xavi, as the Blaugrana legend was his manager at Barcelona. While the season didn't go as smoothly as Gundogan or Xavi would have hoped for the team as a whole, the German had a superb campaign on an individual basis.

In 2023/24, Gundogan played more key passes than anyone else in La Liga (97) and racked up an xA total for the season of 9.8, second only to fellow Manchester City signing Savinho's 9.9, who was on loan at Girona from French side Troyes. He may be 33 years old, but Ilkay Gundogan is still one of the very best midfielders in the world.

But Barcelona have financial fair play problems, and Gundogan is one of the highest earners in the squad. And with the window winding down and the Blaugrana in need of cap space to register players like new signing Dani Olmo and add a much-needed left-winger to their squad, Gundogan was offered the chance to leave.

The German didn't want to cause problems for Barcelona (and in truth is probably yearning for the organised brilliance of Pep Guardiola's petro-project) and so has agreed to write off the final years of his contract and return to Manchester, which is great for City because they've needed a player of Gundogan's profile ever since Gundogan left!

READ MORE: Latest Man City transfer rumours

© IMAGO - Barcelona need to create cap space to register Dani Olmo.

How Man City will line up with Ilkay Gundogan

Ederson will obviously take up his position in goal. No one in football, not Alisson, not Marc-Andre ter Stegen, not even Manuel Neuer, is as good as the Brazilian with his feet. An essential part of Manchester City's build-up.

Rico Lewis will probably claim the right-back slot as his own this season. Kyle Walker showed signs of decline last season and at the Euros, while Lewis is young, hungry and fits Guardiola's system better. Though don't be surprised if Walker reappears to deal with the likes of Vini Jr. and Marcus Rashford.

Current ETV

İlkay Gündoğan

M (C)

Barcelona

İlkay Gündoğan

M (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€19.9M - €33.1M

Centre-back has so many options but it's likely that Guardiola will opt for the stability and muscularity of Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias. Though John Stones will probably still see minutes when fit.

Left-back for Man City isn't really left-back as City shift to a back three in possession, so expect to see centre-backs Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake battle it out to start here.

Defensive midfield. Rodri. 'Nuff said.

© IMAGO - Rodri: the best defensive midfielder in the world.

Central midfield should be where Gundogan will slot in, as Mateo Kovacic never really showed the required panache with the ball to start here. Bernardo Silva will be part of the rotation, but expect Gundogan to own his old role.

Attacking midfield will see Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden share minutes, with Foden gradually taking over from the increasingly fragile Belgian.

Out on the wings City have immense depth, with both Jeremy Doku and new signing Savinho capable of excellent on the left or the right.

However when Pep is fully Pepping, you can expect to see Bernardo Silva on the right and Foden starting on the left as the Catalan exerts maximum control. And don't forget about Jack Grealish!

Up-front it's Erling Haaland. Although don't be surprised if we see Foden or Silva used as a false nine, given the departure of Julian Alvarez.

GK: Ederson

RB: Rico Lewis

CB: Manuel Akanji

CB: Ruben Dias

LB: Josko Gvardiol

CDM: Rodri

CM: Ilkay Gundogan

CM: Kevin De Bruyne

RW: Bernardo Silva

LW: Phil Foden

ST: Erling Haaland