Manchester City have been waiting some time for their Ilkay Gundogan replacement to show he’s capable of stepping into his shoes but they finally got to see it on Sunday.
It’s not often Manchester City feel the impact of a player leaving the club. Most of the time City themselves have felt it’s the right time to move a crucial star on.
Whether it be a departing legend like David Silva, Fernandinho or Sergio Aguero or a player in their prime moving to pastures new such as Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane or Gabriel Jesus, City have always improved after their exits.
You have to go back to Vincent Kompany’s departure in 2019 and the failure to replace him to find the last time City were rocked by a departure, with Liverpool winning the Premier League the next season.
That is, until, this year as City continue to miss Ilkay Gundogan dearly.
Why Ilkay Gundogan left City
After captaining City to a historic treble and playing a crucial role in all three triumphs, Gundogan opted to leave City in the summer on a free and join Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola was desperate for his midfield maestro to stay but the club waited too long to open up contract talks which pushed him out of the door.
City haven’t exactly struggled without Gundogan, they could still win another treble, but they haven’t been as good.
The German was Guardiola’s most trusted player on the pitch and helped City dominate possession, especially in big games, like they haven’t been able to do quite as well since.
That’s not even to mention his crucial goals and the fact he is a very capable stand-in for Rodri, which City now don’t have.
Gundogan’s absence has never been as harshly felt as it was against Liverpool but that’s when his replacement finally stood up.
City finally see their Gundogan replacement
It’s not often you see Kevin De Bruyne substituted off the pitch when he isn’t injured and the brilliant Belgian certainly wasn’t happy about it.
But he could have no complaints. Especially when his replacement, Mateo Kovacic, helped ensure City escaped Anfield with a point.
City managed to draw 1-1 in the massive Premier League title clash with Liverpool but they were forced to hold on during a second-half barrage.
The Blues had no control whatsoever as Jurgen Klopp’s intense press rattled them. Liverpool missed several golden chances to win.
It was only upon Kovacic’s introduction was the tide finally stemmed.
The Croatian came on with 20 minutes remaining and took the sting out of the match with some desperately needed composure on the ball and smart distribution.
Kovacic hasn’t done much since signing from Chelsea in the summer and has been nowhere near the level of Gundogan.
But, with the same No.8 on his back, he has finally shown he can fulfil the role and that will be very useful in the massive games to come.
