Kolo Toure has said that Manchester City have struggled to replace Ilkay Gundogan this season.
The ex-Wigan Athletic boss was on City’s official YouTube channel, as he gave his verdict on his former club’s performances this campaign after their 4-4 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
Kolo Toure says no Ilkay Gundogan this season has been a “big loss” for Manchester City
Branded as an “incredible player” by Aymeric Laporte, the German international reminded the world again last season why he remains an elite midfielder.
Alongside Kevin De Bruyne, the pair were largely responsible for shouldering the burden of creating the Sky Blues’ chances during a campaign in which they eventually went on to win the treble.
After Manchester City dropped two points against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Kolo Toure pinpointed how his former side have missed Ilkay Gundogan amongst their ranks this season.
“For me, my opinion is losing a player like Gundogan, [this] is a big loss”, Toure told Manchester City’s official YouTube channel.
“But like you [Joleon Lescott] said, City always replace their players with better players.”
Only natural that the absence of Ilkay Gundogan is being felt
Ilkay Gundogan is a certified Manchester City great as well as their one and only treble-winning captain and as a result, Kolo Toure is justified in reiterating his unforgettable influence.
The balance that the five-time Premier League winner brought, both as a controller and in the final third made him the dream midfielder for any type of game.
To add to that, Gundogan’s experience and leadership were perhaps also missing against sides like Arsenal and Chelsea this season.
But it is also worth saying that despite Ilkay Gundogan’s exit, the Sky Blues are still topping the Premier League table and have already qualified for the Champions League last-16.
As a result, Pep Guardiola and Co. have also done the best they can to ensure his absence is not being felt.
