Ilkay Gundogan could help make Barcelona contenders for the Champions League again. That's according to legendary German footballer Phillip Lahm, who has waxed lyrical about Gundogan's talents and believes he could come back to haunt Manchester City. The 32-year-old's marvellous seven years at the Etihad came to an end upon the expiration of his contract.
Though Pep Guardiola was desperate to keep him, Gundogan wanted longer on a new deal than City initially offered whereas Barcelona were only too happy to offer him a three-year contract. City's loss is Barca's gain as they have brought in a midfielder at the top of his game who has just been integral to his side's historic treble triumph.
Lahm rates Gundogan in the same bracket as legendary midfielders like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos and believes he is an excellent signing for Barcelona. City go into the forthcoming European campaign as Champions and will be aiming to retain the famous trophy, but Gundogan could make his new side a threat to that.
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"So it will be an exciting new season. In the Champions League, the best international club league, competition could emerge for Manchester City and the eternal Real," he wrote in his collum for the Guardian. "Barca have left a gap to the top clubs in recent years but with Gundogan there is a chance to close it.
"Their [Croatia] outstanding player is Luka Modric. He has been part of his national team for a good 17 years. Modric, recognised as a brilliant midfielder in Europe and the world, is an icon like Xavi or Andrea Pirlo.
"Now Ilkay Gundogan has joined this squad by winning the Champions League as captain of Manchester City. After seven years and five Premier League titles, the victory in the Istanbul final marked the end of an era. Pep Guardiola has rid himself of a shortcoming, proving that City can now win anything at any time, just like Real Madrid and Barcelona. And Gündogan was an important part of that success. The midfield with him, Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne can be mentioned in the same breath as that of Real Madrid with Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Modric in their heyday.
"Players such as Gündogan and Modric do not possess that one skill. It is not physicality, speed, the one‑on‑one that makes them, not the perfect shot or an outstanding header. It is the sum of everything.
"They give their teams order and structure. In every situation, they recalculate the chances and dangers – those for the opponent, those for their own team. They secure the ball, keep it in their ranks, recognise the moment to attack. Gundogan and Modric maintain the balance between defence and offence. They are specialists in managing risk on the pitch. That creates stability, security and control.
"Successful coaches know that this type of player is indispensable. They also know that great things take time. When Guardiola moved to Manchester, he brought Gundogan from Dortmund. Then they developed something together over the years. Alone you are nothing in team sport. Players such as Gundogan are particularly valuable when the team are well combined. That is the case at Manchester City."
