When Ilkay Gundogan arrived at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s first signing in 2016, Phil Foden was over one 12 months away from his Premier League debut. Before that occurred in November 2017, Foden, having lit up the under-17 World Cup the place gained the Golden Ball and scored a purpose off both foot within the remaining, had bought a packed Salt Lake stadium to chant his title. In seven seasons with City, Gundogan noticed the blossoming of a generational expertise.
Barcelona’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan(AFP)
In Foden he trusted, Guardiola stated explaining why City wouldn’t go to the “market” when David Silva left. Yes, given the wealth of expertise at his disposal it nonetheless meant Foden not beginning the FA Cup and the Champions League remaining final season however that he was introduced as Kevin de Bruyne’s substitute tells you one thing. As does Guardiola shifting Foden to the centre following De Bruyne’s damage in 2023-24.
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In 2023, Gundogan moved to Barcelona the place Lamine Yamal has been a midfield accomplice. Yamal is 16, Foden was 17 when he debuted within the Premier League. Apart from including to his sense of déjà vu, it made Gundogan effectively positioned to take HT’s query on evaluating the event of the attacking midfielders.
In the way in which Guardiola and Xavi deflect stress off younger gamers with out denying them time on the pitch, they’re related, stated Gundogan. “For Lamine it is maybe a bit more difficult because he already takes a lot more responsibility at the age of 16. He is playing a lot more games, lot more 90 minute games than when Phil was 16.”
The massive squad, the stiff competitors meant Foden might be eased into the primary workforce, stated the midfielder. Not so Yamal, the youngest participant to characterize Spain breaking a report that belonged to Barcelona teammate Gavi. Yamal can also be Spain’s youngest scorer. He has performed 25 of Barcelona’s 26 video games (3 targets and 6 assists as per Transfermarkt) in La Liga this time period and featured in all Champions League fixtures. Add to that 4 video games for Spain the place he has two targets after making his debut final September towards Georgia.
“But as I know Lamine, this (the games) will help him because he has a great attitude, great character and is down to earth. With Raphina being fit, this will be good competition for him. And it is what you need at the end of the day. Even though he is 16, he needs to have the feeling that he has to compete.”
Yamal is among the many dozen on Barcelona’s roster who had been born on or after 2004. There are three –Alejandro Balde, Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado born in 2003. It is simply as effectively that Gundogan stated he needed to move on issues “that were important to me” via actions as a result of his “Spanish is not perfect.” But he stated he noticed an excellent future for the membership.
Training over in Barcelona on Friday, Gundogan was talking to a bunch of journalists from the Asia-Pacific area on a Teams name. His first 12 months at City and 2023-24 have been related as a result of they had been begin of recent tasks, stated the Germany midfielder. Pep began “near zero and that is the starting point for myself here.”
So he’s ready for the “bumps on the road”. Gundogan stated “things are better (at Barcelona) than when I joined City” who completed third within the league that season. “Consistency is missing,” stated the person who is aware of all about being serially profitable. “It is much more difficult to do that at the start than when you are at a more developed stage of the project.”
Gundogan accepted there’s a “gap in the league” the place defending champions Barcelona, who play Athletic away on Sunday, are third on 57 factors eight factors behind leaders Real Madrid and two behind Girona the season’s shock package deal. But a Champions League quarter-final is feasible. And that’s the reason Gundogan stated he didn’t need to look forward to the time when Xavi, who was the “main reason” he joined Barcelona, gained’t be there. Instead, he want to make the farewell glad for the Barcelona legend.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
