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Ilkay Gundogan Can Be Key To City’s Title Defence

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lkay Gundogan enjoyed a remarkable 2022/23 Premier League season to help Manchester City secure a third consecutive title.

While there’s speculation regarding his future at the Etihad, City will be determined to tie the German international to a fresh deal, as he could play a significant role in the Citizens retaining the English crown next term.

Gundogan One Of The First Names On The Team Sheet

Making just 10 appearances in his first Premier League campaign back in 2016/17, Gundogan has since emerged as one of the first names on the team sheet for manager Pep Guardiola. Gundogan has had some big moments this season and was a key figure in helping the club reach the Champions League final. The Citizens are the 4/9 favourites in the Man City vs Inter betting to win the final in regulation time in Istanbul. City have not claimed the European title before but are 2/9 in the Champions League winner odds to lift the trophy for the first time in their history at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. If City do raise the silverware aloft, it will be Gundogan who has the honour and it would be the perfect end to a great season for the club captain.

Gündo?an has made a habit of showing up in the big games for City this season, as his display in the FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester United highlighted. Scoring a stunning volley in just the 12th second of the game, Gundogan made headlines for the fastest goal in the FA Cup final’s long and rich history. It was the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder who also bagged the winner in that game to help City complete a domestic double, while also securing those important bragging rights over neighbours United.

A Player Getting Better With Age

With Gundogan seemingly getting better by the season, there is little surprise there has been interest in his services ahead of the summer transfer window. La Liga champions Barcelona are thought to be eager to continue their ambitious recruitment this summer and reports have suggested Gundogan is on their wishlist. Of course, City are determined to keep hold of the player and former Barca boss Guardiola is fully aware of how important the skipper could be in the club’s defence of the Premier League title next season.

Scoring 15 goals in his first four campaigns in the English top flight, Gündoan has managed to bag 29 goals in his last three seasons. Picking up dangerous positions around the edge of the area, Gundogan has become a master of finding pockets of space and scoring big goals. Much like City legend David Silva, Gundogan seems to be getting better with age and at 32, he still has a few more years ahead of him yet.

Gundogan has been a real pleasure to watch this season for the Premier League champions and the City fans will be hopeful their skipper puts pen to paper on a fresh contract ahead of another exciting new campaign next term.

Image from: unsplash.com

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