Joao Palhinha has named Ilkay Gundogan as one of the two toughest midfielders he has faced during his time in the Premier League.
Joining Fulham in the summer of 2022, the Portuguese international has played against a whole host of top midfielders in England.
However, it seems like the 28-year-old particularly holds those who play in the middle of the park for City in high regard, recently crowning Rodri as the best defensive midfielder in the world.
Joao Palhinha names Ilkay Gundogan as one of the two toughest midfielders he has faced in the Premier League
Last season, Ilkay Gundogan started in both fixtures against Fulham, as the Sky Blues beat them 2-1 both at the Etihad Stadium and at Craven Cottage.
The German captain was as influential as ever in both contests, pulling the strings for Manchester City from his left-sided attacking midfield role against the Cottagers.
When quizzed about the toughest midfielder Joao Palhinha has faced in the Premier League, he named Ilkay Gundogan, followed by Kevin De Bruyne.
“I will answer probably [llkay] Gundogan. Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne. I think they [are] my two choices for this question. I played against so many good players that it’s really tough to choose just one but probably, I will choose these two”, he said in an interview with Sky Sports.
Ilkay Gundogan would have been brilliant for Manchester City this season
One cannot blame Joao Palhinha for having a tough time against Ilkay Gundogan, who was one of the most in-form midfielders in Europe as he captained Manchester City to winning a historic treble last season.
Despite turning 33 in October last year, Gundogan has showcased at Barcelona that he remains one of the best players in the world.
Apart from Phil Foden, neither Matheus Nunes nor Mateo Kovacic have proven that they can replace the Manchester City legend in the long run so far.
Foden and Gundogan would likely have formed a world-class partnership in the middle of the park had he stayed at City.
While upon Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury, Ilkay Gundogan and him would have continued to dominate proceedings like they did in tandem last season.
