Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan spent seven years at Manchester City before the latter decided to make a move to Barcelona last summer.
However, Gundogan re-signed for City in August and since then, he has made two appearances for the club as well.
Joan Laporta revealed the decision to sell Gundogan was due to “sporting” reasons.
However, The Athletic had reported that Barcelona were open to letting the German leave due to their inability to register Dani Olmo at the time.
The 33-year-old’s signing has been widely praised as a masterstroke by Manchester City — due to his quality, experience and the fact that he was brought in on a free transfer as well.
Darren Bent hailed Gundogan’s return to City as one of the signings of the summer.
De Bruyne shares honest verdict on Gundogan re-signing for Man City
Sam Allardyce questioned why Arsenal did not try signing Gundogan, as well as clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea as well – while claiming that a player of his ilk is still valued at £50 million.
Noel Gallagher texted Gundogan as the rumours around his return to Manchester City started to be heard – asking him to “come home” again.
The veteran is yet to start a game since returning to City – potentially indicating that Pep Guardiola wishes for him to earn his place back in the side.
The five-time Premier League winner has seemed like he is fit and firing during his cameos against Ipswich Town and West Ham United; coming off the bench to slot back into his usual central midfield position.
Currently, the former Borussia Dortmund technician must have extra time on his hands to settle into life in Manchester yet again – considering he recently announced his retirement from international football.
On the Official Man City Podcast, Kevin De Bruyne has revealed how it feels about Gundogan becoming a Manchester City player again.
“I feel like it’s just been normal. He’s been away for a year, like been on a holiday and slotted in way back in. I don’t know, you know, it feels normal. But the way he went when he went away and obviously, it was more like a contractual situation than him really wanting to depart from both ways.”
“Sometimes, that’s how football works and the craziness of football, he’s in Barcelona and he comes back here and he slots in like he’s never left, been here seven years or something. So, he’s been clutch, won us titles, so let’s do it again.”
De Bruyne embraced Gundogan when he reunited with him at City upon the latter’s return.
Kevin De Bruyne would be happy to be playing with Ilkay Gundogan again
The Belgian would be looking forward to the return of his partner in midfield from Manchester City’s treble-winning season.
De Bruyne and Gundogan formed a terrific partnership as a pair of attacking midfielders slotted in behind Erling Haaland; a dynamic that Pep Guardiola could explore this season as well.
The six-time Premier League winner would also know the Gelsenkirchen-born midfielder’s game like the back of his hand and vice-versa.
De Bruyne and Gundogan could wreak havoc every time they are on the pitch, regardless of the tactical set-up.
The pair’s quality, experience as a whole and understanding of City’s system are factors that could make them a nuisance to play against for any side in the world.
It seems like Gundogan has seamlessly settled into life at the Etihad Stadium again, as have his teammates about his fairytale return.
