Ilkay Gundogan needs more time to go back to his best for Manchester City, according to Pep Guardiola.
Just one year after departing the team to join Barcelona, Gundogan made an unexpected comeback to the Etihad this summer.
Despite the 33-year-old’s difficulties in his six games this season, City manager Guardiola says supporters should have patience.
He stated, “It will take time.”
“He needs to get into the rhythm and didn’t make a pre-season, but he gives you something special, so of course he will take it [time],”
During Euro 2024, Gundogan played a major role for Germany, which lost to eventual champions Spain in the quarterfinals.
Additionally, Gundogan will be crucial for City this season as Rodri is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a knee injury.
The midfielder received criticism for his performance and was substituted during the second half of City’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Saturday.
“He had a poor game,” former City full-back Micah Richards stated on the podcast The Rest is Football. When Gundogan receives the ball from the back four, I believe he is better at playing it to [Erling] Haaland and then attempting to enter the box. Although he has performed admirably in a 10 in that position in the past, I didn’t think the balance was correct.
Additionally, on BBC Radio 5 Live, former England winger Stewart Downing said, “Gundogan has looked a little bit off the pace with his final balls not quite being accurate.” It’s not shocking that [Phil] Foden has appeared.
Tuesday night, City will resume play in the Champions League when they host Slovan Bratislava.
