It is difficult not to admire Manchester City for the way they are run as a footballing institution.
On Monday, it was reported that Pep Guardiola is happy with his squad despite not signing a replacement for Julian Alvarez and unless they spot a player who fits their side in every possible way, City will not bolster their striking department.
Despite Manchester City’s financial muscle often being highlighted, the aforementioned report is an example of how the club function in an intelligent and measured fashion.
It is no coincidence that Pep Guardiola’s side is the benchmark for other teams in the Premier League because the way they are run from top to bottom is well and truly one of a kind.
Once again this season, it is no surprise that Roy Keane expects City to win the league alongside other pundits due to various factors, potentially including how they function as a club.
Whether the Sky Blues do manage to finish first will reveal itself with time but the club will remain in a position to compete for the subsequent campaigns.
Mikel gives his honest verdict on Ilkay Gundogan returning to Man City
Ilkay Gundogan’s return to the Premier League champions is the hottest topic surrounding the club at the minute.
Considering Gundogan turns 34 in October, there might be some skeptics around the move.
Especially considering the plethora of young midfielders who are thriving in Europe.
Whereas the German’s potential shelf life at the elite level might not continue for too long.
Yet, John Obi Mikel feels Manchester City have taken a spectacular decision to re-sign Gundogan.
The pundit said on The Obi One Podcast: “They’ve gone out and they’ve got Ilkay Gundogan back at the football club. One of the best players, the treble-winning captain. He’s left the club and he’s come back. The guy who knows how to arrive at the right place at the right time and score goals.”
“And I thought that signing was absolutely brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”
“He knows the team, he knows the system, he doesn’t need time to settle, he doesn’t!”
John Obi Mikel added that in his view, Pep Guardiola did not want to let Gundogan leave in the summer of 2023, who has signed for the club on a free transfer now.
“Of course, Pep [Guardiola] absolutely loves Ilkay Gundogan, I don’t think he wanted him to leave in the first place last time when he left.”
“But now he’s back and I think this City side is going to go from strength to strength because he’s going to bring what he had before, he’s going to bring it back to the team and they’re going to score lots of goals.”
Gundogan will be looking to get going at Man City instantly
Considering John Obi Mikel and others rightly feel Gundogan knows the system and the club like the back of his hand, the player will be hoping to restart his Manchester City career in blistering fashion.
The former Barcelona midfielder has not joined the club as a player on the decline.
Gundogan was one of La Liga’s best players last season and remains at a stage of his career where he could maintain his status as a world-class performer.
With City looking to win their fifth Premier League title on the trot, the seasoned campaigner will be looking to cement his place as a starter and help the club achieve their ambition.
Despite Gundogan’s magnificence as a player, he will realise that there is competition for places in the middle of the park due to the presences of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden in the side.
How the ex-Borussia Dortmund technician deals with having to fight for his place will be interesting to see.
However, a serial winner like Gundogan will likely embrace the challenge of proving himself in a City shirt once again.
