CHRIS SUTTON: Ilkay Gundogan has gone under the radar with some of the game’s greats – but he probably doesn’t mind… He wouldn’t be out of place in conversations around the best midfielders in recent history
Ilkay Gundogan has always remained under the radar of some of the greats, but the Manchester City midfielder has one of the brightest minds in Premier League history.
Signing for just over £20 million as Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the club, he’s been very understated – and he probably doesn’t mind.
But his value to this team is sky-high. He is extremely efficient at what he does. He has been phenomenal for them and his goals lately have been crucial in this title race – as he was at the end of last year.
He makes the game look so simple. But the German is not easy and the way he moves around the pitch and drifts into the penalty area to score or score goals is super effective.
The club captain is also an underrated leader and has an aggressive side off the ball.
Ilkay Gundogan (left) masterminded Man City’s 3-0 win against Everton on Sunday afternoon
The midfielder scored an astonishing number of goals, including this sublime tap for the opener
He followed that up with a pinpoint free kick that beat Jordan Pickford into goal
As an all-rounder, he wouldn’t be out of place in some of the conversations surrounding the best midfielders of recent times.
The few touches before his first goal were hugely deliberate – and the second goal wasn’t bad either!
His City deal expires in the coming months. City should do everything they can to keep him, but why would he want to leave when he plays such a prominent part in this Treble-chasing side?