What with Manchester City’s dramatic end of season capitulation, incoming boss Pep Guardiola must have been tearing out the remaining hair follicles on his head over much of the squad he was set to inherit.
With Yaya Toure’s Premier League legacy very nearly mired by a painfully carefree view on defensive duties (or duties full stop), the loss of form of string puller David Silva and the loss of anything resembling a competent centre half, the former Barcelona manager must have been rather keen to bring his own influence into the team at the earliest opportunity.
And the first acquisition under the Spaniards reign? Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan.
Whilst the German international is set to miss Euro 2016 due to an eye wincing dislocation of his kneecap, suffered in training at the start of May, the club clearly felt confident that the string puller would be more than worth his £20m value.
Joining Jurgen Kopp’s Dortmund from Nuremberg in 2011, a 20 year old Gundogan was initially tasked with replacing Bundesliga Player of the Year Nuri Sahin, later he would help a youthful and exciting side to a 2012 Bundesliga and a 2013 Champions League final.
Whilst previous season summer transfer circus’ have featured the mercurial midfielders talents far often that’s not, it was during that campaign’s semi final against Real Madrid that Europe’s elite teams started to treat Gundogan as a potential prize acquisition.
The German international is considered a ‘complete midfielder’, what it meant for Klopp is that the Yellow and Black always had a reliable lynch pin whenever the famous Gegenpressing led to a loose ball.
Of course, ultimately to succeed as a Dortmund player, due to the sides explosive unhinged style, speed of thought is as in demand as technical skill.
Instantaneous decision making with end product, encouraged by the clubs infamous ‘Footbonaut’ training, is more than likely behind Pep’s decision to plump for the midfielder.
Whilst such targets at Paul Pogba will always be the pinup a club the size of Manchester City now require, as well as an outstanding player of course, Gundogan however is the metronome that Guardiola side’s always have at heart of them. Xavi at Barcelona, Xabi Alonso at Bayern, there has to be that glue that holds it all together.
His passing stats possibly even outdo the possession masters. Gondogan’s total sits at a European record of 1,935 for this season, nearly 100 more than 2nd placed Alonso, data that would make a manager who implores losing the ball as much as Guardiola purr in delight.
Needless to say Gundogan would be a vital first step in implementing a new possession-based style at the Etihad Stadium.
Whilst the player has never achieved more than 3 assist in a full season, Gundogan’s worth has previously been in providing perfect platform for the likes of Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus – a front threesome the Citizens aren’t a million miles away from on a good day.
Gundagan was then perfectly accompanied by Sven Bender or Sebastian Kehl, two equally hard-working and strong in the tackle midfield units. Such an immovable twosome of the Ilk perhaps will not be afforded by the German. Especially if Yaya Toure decides to stay and fight for a place.
The protection of his playmaker may just be Guardiola’s next port of call regarding new recruits, that is if the summer cull doesn’t also see Fernandinho make a sharp exit.
Whilst Ilkay’s final third talents will never compare to the genius of Toure, Man City fans will be safe in the knowledge that they haven’t just taken a step into an altogether more impressive brand of football, but a major leap.
“Gundogan is willing to learn and is very smart, He also brings a great attitude. Ilkay has a great passing game, is a complete player, and fits perfectly into our footballing system.”
Jurgen Klopp