A Premier League great has described Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan as one of the “best midfielders in recent memory.”
Gundogan was at his very best during City’s 3-0 win against Everton on Sunday, contributing two goals and an assist at Goodison Park.
The 32-year-old broke the deadlock with an audacious effort, controlling a cross with his thigh before applying a flicked finish with his back still to goal.
Shortly after he crossed for Erling Haaland to head home his 52nd goal of the season, and early in the second half the German international clipped a freekick into the top corner.
The win restored City’s four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Thanks to Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Brighton, a win against Chelsea on Sunday would see City crowned champions for a third successive season.
Gundogan has played a key role in what could end up as a treble-winning campaign for City, but this might be his last season in sky blue.
The midfielder’s contract expires in June, and he has yet to publicly announce his plans going forward.
Gundogan is ‘understated’
Writing in his Daily Mail column, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton argued City must do everything they can to keep one of the best midfielders around.
“Ilkay Gundogan has always gone under the radar with some of the greats but the Manchester City midfielder has one of the best brains in Premier League history,” Sutton wrote.
“He’s been very understated — and he probably doesn’t mind that.
“He makes the game look so simple. But the German isn’t simple and the way he moves around the pitch and drifts into the box to score or create goals is super effective.
“His goals of late have been crucial in this title race — as they were at the tail end of last year.”
Sutton described Gundogan’s value to the team as “sky high”, and placed him among the pantheon of Premier League greats.
“As an all-rounder, he would not be out of place in some conversations around the best midfielders in recent memory.”
