Football

Barcelona Failed To Appreciate Ilkay Gundogan – Man City Will Welcome Him Back With Open Arms

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Published21 Aug 2024

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Gundogan Man City

Barcelona have failed to appreciate Ilkay Gundogan – but Manchester City will welcome him back with open arms.

Gündogan joined Manchester City in the summer of 2016, becoming Pep Guardiola’s first signing for the club.

It was a signing questioned by some at the time, with the midfielder having suffered a long term knee injury, making him initially unavailable. However, Guardiola’s faith in the midfielder was rewarded to the highest degree.

Welcoming Back A Man City Legend

Gündogan’s name will forever be etched into Manchester City’s history books as the captain of an historic treble-winning side in 2023.

The previous year, Gündogan came off the bench against Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season. City had trailed 2-0 until the 75th minute, ultimately needing a win to be crowned Premier League champions. The German scored a remarkable brace as City went on to win 3-2.

He was not only incredibly effective for City in midfield but also as a goal scorer, and Manchester United fans will not forget another brace of his in the 2023 FA Cup Final. Gündogan’s first goal came after just 12.5 seconds, which is the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history.

City fans were devastated when Gündogan left after the 2022/23 season, with many believing it was too soon. He joined FC Barcelona on a free transfer… but now he returns.

Just one year later, Gündogan is set to re-sign for Manchester City once again, continuing his fairytale story with the blues, one that many thought was over.

It seems Gündogan was never fully appreciated by Barça fans, and now he will return to his rightful home.

Is Gundogan’s Man City Legacy Tarnished?

Some would question whether Gündogan could tarnish the legacy he left behind, but I feel doing that is impossible. To win the treble and bring Manchester City a first ever Champions League trophy, as captain? Nothing could ever damage that. He will forever be a legend, and his return will be very much celebrated by City fans.

For other Premier League fans, Gündogan’s return means that no 2-0 or even 5-0 lead is safe against City, even with mere
minutes of a game left.

Regardless of whether he can settle in quickly enough to play in City’s first home game against Ipswich Town this Saturday, his name will ring around the Etihad Stadium.

Ironically, Gündogan could end up being Guardiola’s first and last signing at Manchester City, with the manager’s current contract expiring in June 2024.

Not only that, but Ilkay Gündogan has also ended up being Manchester City’s Ilkay Gündogan replacement, a void City had been unable to fill until now.

Silky Ilkay. Mr Whippy. Welcome home.