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Dickov: Gundogan has been phenomenal

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Image for Dickov: Gundogan has been phenomenal

Man City blew Schalke away in the Champions League on Wednesday night, winning 7-0 at the Etihad and making it a humiliating 10-2 on aggregate. 

Six Man City players got on the score sheet, with Sergio Aguero getting two, but it was another player who caught the eye of Sky Sports pundit and former City player Paul Dickov.

“The last few weeks there’s been no Fernandinho, no Kevin De Bruyne,” said Dickov. “Ilkay Gundogan has come in and he’s been phenomenal.

“He’s been great, not just tonight, but the last two or three games. He’s come in there and controlled it. And while he’s playing that defensive midfield role, he’s creating as well, he’s provided three or four assists. And he’s scored 5 or 6 PL goals this season.

“He’s been fantastic because he’s not always played that role. He’s showed he’s not just another footballer.”

OPINION

It shows the depth in Man City’s squad that Dickov can single out Gundogan for praise after his teammates rattled seven goals past a team who have made the knockout stages of the Champions League. Let’s not dismiss Schalke when we’re looking at the result last night – what Pep is doing at Man City is also phenomenal. They could win everything this season but they’re being pushed all the way in the Premier League and won’t have the Champions League as easy as last night every tie. There’s a mouth-watering potential clash with Manchester United on the horizon and that could be a great leveller. Gundogan hasn’t been the first name of the team sheet every week, but when he plays he shows that he’s not only a brilliant player, but so important with his versatility. People said that Fernandinho was irreplaceable but Gundogan is showing that no player is greater than this current Man City team.  

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