The German international midfielder is not the one to steal the headlines, but his value is still recognized by those at the Etihad Stadium
Ilkay Gundogan is delighted to fill the role of unsung hero at Manchester City, with the German player admitting that he allows “others to shine” in a stellar world.
The 30-year-old midfielder is building enough capacity and has secured the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund while collecting eight pieces of silver in England.
He does, however, tend to steer clear of making headlines, with those heroes left to those who work alongside him.
Pep Guardiola is fully aware of how important the players of that ilk can be, with the Catalan Gundogan’s lips as one of City’s best ever signers, but the man himself is willing to draw attention. .
“Someone once told me I might not shine but I let others shine, and that’s how I see myself,” said Gundogan, who has appeared for 177 for City. to the Blues’ official website.
“You can’t just build a team of 11 players playing the same kind of football and the same kind of characters and players.
“Ultimately, there has to be one harmony – one great picture that fits. That is always the challenge.
“The most successful teams in history were so successful because they had different players playing in harmony. ”
Gundogan has been catching the eye again for City this season, as he keeps things going over in midfield, but he believes his best form has come. in the Premier League during a title-winning campaign in 2018-19.
“It simply came to our notice then [this is my best run of form] because in the last few months where we won the league one point ahead of Liverpool, I felt very confident about my personal game, ”added a man with 42 international caps to his name.
“It’s a time that still feels great, not just for me, but for the team. Maybe with the numbers people think I’m better now, but I’m honest, numbers are never important to me in football.
“When I leave the pitch after the last whistle, if I feel I have played as well as I could, when I am happy and proud of what I have done. pitch, that ‘s the point where I feel comfortable – not if I get a score of one, two goals or whatever.
“You need players who score, but that’s not what I recognize. Of course, when I am in the area to achieve goals, I will try. ”
City have not been at the best of streams as a compilation this season, but they have tense at the back and could move to within four points of each. defending the Liverpool champions with a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.