Paul Merson Questions Ilkay Gundogan’s Impact Amid Manchester City Struggles
Manchester City sit second in the Premier League table, trailing rivals Liverpool, as the champions grapple with uncharacteristic struggles this season.
Former Arsenal star and pundit Paul Merson has pointed to Ilkay Gundogan‘s performance as a concern since his return to the Etihad this summer. The German midfielder re-joined City after a brief stint at Barcelona but, according to Merson, has yet to recapture the form that made him instrumental during his first spell at the club.
City’s season has been turbulent, with the team suffering four consecutive defeats before the international break—a first under Pep Guardiola. Losses to Tottenham in the League Cup, Sporting CP in the Champions League, and league defeats to Bournemouth and Brighton left City reeling.
A key factor in City’s recent dip in form has been the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, sidelined with a devastating ACL injury. Without the Spanish midfielder, City have struggled to dominate games in their usual manner.
“They’re not struggling because Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are firing,” said Merson in an interview with Sports Keeda. “Manchester City not being their usual self is entirely down to Rodri’s absence. Rodri moves the ball quickly, and that opens up space—City are missing that now.”
However, Merson singled out Gundogan, saying, “I certainly think Gundogan looks nowhere near the player he was before. He is struggling.”
Gundogan, 34, has featured in all but one of City’s matches this season, but Merson believes the German has yet to fill the gap left by Rodri or replicate the influence he once had.
City’s summer decision to bring Gundogan back from Barcelona—just a year after allowing him to leave as a free agent—was seen as a smart move at the time. However, as Guardiola’s men fight to regain their dominance, questions linger about whether Gundogan’s return has truly paid off.
The road ahead doesn’t get easier. City host Tottenham Hotspur this weekend in a pivotal Premier League clash. Five points behind leaders Liverpool, the reigning champions will need a strong showing against Spurs before a high-stakes encounter at Anfield the following week.
This crucial stretch will test whether Gundogan, and the rest of Guardiola’s squad, can rediscover their form and get City’s title defense back on track.
