Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is keen to make up for lost time.
One of the most complete midfielders in Europe when fit and firing, German international Ilkay Gundogan has proved an instant hit at Manchester City following his £21million summer move from Borussia Dortmund. He has quickly established himself as a vital component in Pep Guardiola’s engine room, supplying enough craft, energy and aggression for three men, and elevating himself to the rank of cult hero after scoring twice in the 3-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona.
Not that the 26-year-old was always as quick to integrate on changing clubs.
After leaving Nuremberg for Bundesliga champions Dortmund in 2011, his first six months at the Westfalenstadion were, by common consent, a disaster. Pilloried for his poor form and dropped from the first team only a few weeks into the campaign, he was initially seen by fans and media alike as a “Fehleinkauf” (bad buy).
As forth right as ever, Dortmund coach, Jurgen Klopp laid it on the line at the time, saying: “For someone of his capabilities, he’s still not sufficiently dominant for me. He has the potential to make a much bigger contribution to a game and be more prepared to go on the attack.”
Back then, the prevailing view was that Gundogan’s failure to launch his Dortmund career was entirely his own fault. However, what the critics seemed to forget was the huge task he faced: settling in at his first big club, the greater media scrutiny, and filling the gap left by Real Madrid-bound Nuri Sahin, who had performed so impressively the previous season.
“It would do me good if I was accepted here as Ilkay Gundogan and not a copy of Nuri Sahin,” he declared in an interview on German TV programme Sportschau.
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin January 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin January 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team