Manchester City fans had high hopes when club legend Ilkay Gundogan made his surprising return this summer, fresh from a season with Barcelona. Gundogan’s first spell at City left an indelible mark, so expectations were naturally sky-high. But so far, his second stint with the reigning champions has been a slow burn—one that City faithful believe will ignite soon, given his track record.
When Gundogan re-signed, it was assumed he’d play a supporting role under Pep Guardiola, coming in as a depth option in City’s stacked midfield. However, injuries to key players like Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne quickly changed that script, forcing Guardiola to rely on Gundogan far more than anticipated. With 12 appearances already under his belt this season, the veteran midfielder has taken on a heavier load than anyone expected.
Not all of those appearances have been smooth sailing. Gundogan struggled in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle at St. James’ Park, delivering one of his most underwhelming performances in a City shirt. Yet, he quickly bounced back, proving his resilience by netting the opener in a 4-0 triumph over Slovan Bratislava—a reminder of the class he still brings to the field.
Doubting Gundogan’s talent would be a mistake. The German international has repeatedly shown his quality, most recently earning a spot in the La Liga Team of the Season during his brief spell with Barcelona. It seems only a matter of time before he’s back to his best, a welcome boost for Guardiola’s squad. And there’s no better time for that spark to reignite than today, as City faces Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
