Ilkay Gundogan has emerged as Manchester City’s secret weapon as they power on without Sergio Aguero. The Blues have recently made light of the fact their all-time top goalscorer Aguero has hardly figured this season. And Germany international Gundogan, who normally plays in a deeper role, has flourished as a more advanced midfielder, scoring seven goals in the last eight Premier League games, including two in the 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday night. Pep Guardiola was not surprised that Gundogan appears to have added goalscoring to his many other attributes – his tally of nine in total is already the best of his 12-year senior career. His next best total was six, which he racked up in each of Guardiola’s title seasons, 2017-18 and 2018-19. Guardiola put his previous meagre return down to the fact that he usually plays a deeper role, but says by freeing him up recently, his natural finishing ability has been unleashed.
Pep Guardiola said “The quality of his finishing we have always seen. “As a holding midfielder the distance to get to the box was difficult but he has a special sense of finishing. There are players who are in front of the keeper and could take a coffee and still have time to finish – and the others get nervous. It is a quality in itself. The last two goals in the game against West Brom explain perfectly the quality because it shows how quickly he moves, and the quality of the shot. It is not easy to find that.”
It gives City a potent new weapon and is on the reason why Guardiola has already confirmed that Gundogan will play against Sheffield United today.
Pep Guardiola said “We are delighted because it is not easy to control the players who come from the second line behind,” he said. “It is easier to control the strikers but more difficult for the players in behind and he (Gundogan) is exceptional.”
