Who Blessed: Ilkay Gunduan grows out of difficulty

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“I’m pretty sure I’ll never be the same player I used to be,” Pain said Ilkai Gunduan Three years ago after being injured once again. Despite this, and despite tearing the crossbar already in his first season in the Premier League, he did not intend to give up. “It does not mean I will be weaker or not of the same quality. I will just be a different player.”

  • At 22:00 at 5 PLUS: Borussia Mönchengladbach against Manchester City in the last eight of the Champions League

And how right he was. Without anyone expecting it, the Manchester City midfielder became the hottest player in the Premier League, while his team raced to 16 consecutive wins in all competitions. Along the way he also forgot the sparse balance of City strikers this season and became the club’s outstanding scorer with 13 goals – 12 of them in just two months.


Even two ruined knees did not stop him
Along with the physiological work that helped him in the city, it is likely that it was precisely the Sisyphean and arduous road that enabled him to reach the summit. As a believer Gonduan for a moment did not doubt the “plan” that life had arranged for him, and he talked about it in his rehearsal game after 276 days out. “Maybe it was an experience I had to go through along the way.” By the way, it was also a kind of closing circle for him because fate summoned his return against Watford, the same team in front of him injured in the knee.

Thanks to his blossoming in the winter months, Gonduan picked up January’s outstanding title in the league, as well as his coach, Pep Guardiola Talked about his miraculous ability. “I said many times he could play as a striker and people laughed at me,” Pep recalled, adding. “He knows exactly when exactly to join the pitch, he’s so good in those moments. If he continues to play like that he will also be February’s standout.”

Even the great past players from City’s rivals have not remained indifferent to the phenomenon. “Gonduan is just amazing,” he complimented Allen Shirr. “He’s so smart. It feels like he has radar, and the rest of the players have to think fast to keep up with him.” “I think Gonduan will win the player of the season title,” he declared Krager. “He’s the discovery of the season, it’s a pleasure to watch.”

With Pep. “I said he could play as a striker and people laughed at me” (Getty)

To better understand why Pep was not overly surprised by the fitness of the relationship, one has to go back to the summer of 2016. After the graduate contractor signed at City he built himself an orderly purchase plan for a considerable sum, with one name standing above all – Gonduan. Even a serious back injury that caused him to miss 14 months of football, and a knee injury that sidelined him for 133 days in the 15/16 season did not bother the coach too much. Pep and Bayern Munich may have dominated German football in those years, but the Catalan could not ignore the genius of the Dortmund midfielder.

His former coach, Jurgen Klopp, had hoped that his acquaintance with him would give Liverpool a certain advantage in the duel, but Gonduan, who was flattered by Pep’s interest, admitted that there was only one option for him. “Jürgen talked to me and tried to convince me, but when I realized I had a chance to work with Pep, my decision was clear,” the German explained. “I was saddened by the injury, but Guardiola made it clear to me that it did not affect his plans.” Beyond that, a few days before signing in England, the City manager publicly stated the importance of the link to his venture: “We need Gonduan. Without him we will not be able to achieve our goals this season.”

Pep’s exaggerated expectations may have worsened with the gifted connection, which has not really become a barometer for the Blues. Although he played an important part in the two championships, the Cup and the three League Cups, Gonduan was just another part of the machine. Sometimes he played in the back link, other times he managed the game in a more front area, but he was never the player.

Still, something about him and City has changed in recent times, leading to a meteoric explosion. “Sometimes in football you have to conquer in order to get recognition, but he has always been an amazing player,” the manager explained, referring to his performance in the lineup. “In recent games he has played even in a more forward position because of De Bruyne’s injury. He’s so smart he’s able to play anywhere.”

The two games against Liverpool and Tottenham earlier this month also changed the minds of the last of the cynics. Gonduan faced a not-so-simple mental test against the champion, having sent Pendel to the skies in the first half. But that did not affect his confidence by a millimeter, and he scored the first two goals in City’s crushing 1-4. Afterwards, the German proved he was hot even off the pitch when he winked at the Super Bowl game following the miss from the spot and the post went viral. Even in front of the Spurs the absence of the big star, de Bruyne, was not felt at all. Gonduan did as he pleased, donating a double, and leading the Blues to a light 0: 3.

Although Guardiola’s Blues look like the best team in the world these days, at the start of the season they ran into quite a few problems. It seemed that the departure of David Silva, one of the great symbols of City in the new era, had thrown the balance out of the lineup. Corona and injuries were also there before Pep found the super plan. The Catalan genius once again pulled a trick from the sleeve as his defenders moved on to play more in midfield.

As a result Gonduan and de Bruyne were given greater freedom of action to do magic near the extension and the German enjoyed every moment. The fact that City play without a natural striker most of the time, given Sergio Aguero’s injury and Gabriel Jesus’ poor fitness, also allows Gonduan to move to larger areas, and the defensive players are still having a hard time finding a solution.

Now that the Premier League championship is in its pocket, Pep and Gonduane will be free to complete City’s real goal – winning the Champions League. It’s not just Sheikh Mansour who has invested € 1.8 billion just for acquisitions since taking over the club in 2008. Despite a star-studded roster and a coach at the highest level the Blues have failed time and time again, and yet this time the story feels different. If City go all the way you can be sure that Gonduan will play a big part in that. And even if fate does not want it, or he summons Gonduan another test or two, it’s okay. One can be sure that he will not get excited about it or give up.

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