Redaction Simon Brett with Naveen Ullal
Published on 2024-05-01 09:37:57
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is lamenting the absence of İlkay Gündoğan at the Etihad Stadium, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The Germany international was a key player for the Citizens in their treble-winning season last year, but he opted to leave as a free agent for Barcelona. Guardiola made efforts to retain Gündoğan with a new deal, but the midfielder declined and headed to Spain.
Mateo Kovačić and Matheus Nunes were brought in to strengthen the midfield, but they have not been able to fill the void left by Gündoğan’s departure. Guardiola misses the 33-year-old’s impact both on and off the pitch, with Mundo suggesting that Manchester City now have ‘regrets’ for not moving faster to renew his contract. Gündoğan has continued to shine at Barcelona with five goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances this season, but he has faced criticism for pushing his teammates to strive for higher standards.
Despite his success at Barcelona, Gündoğan has faced frustrations with his new club and has been singled out for his demanding nature in the dressing room. Manchester City’s regret over not securing his renewal highlights the importance of his contributions to the team during his time at the Etihad. Guardiola’s side continues to feel the absence of Gündoğan’s skill and leadership, with the midfielder leaving a lasting impact on the English champions.
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