Manchester City’s free swoop last summer for Ilkay Gundogan was widely praised, but it’s safe to say he has not had the season everyone was hoping for.
The German maestro made a sensational return to the club last year, after one season at Barcelona.
Gundogan was being moved on by the Spanish giants in order to make way for Dani Olmo, while freeing up some of their wage budget.
With the club needing cover for Rodri even before his knee injury, and Julian Alvaraz having gone to Atletico Madrid, it felt like a no-brainer to re-sign Gundogan – especially on a free.
But Gundogan’s return to the club hasn’t really gone to plan, and has struggled in a lot of games.
Most of his teammates have as well. But at times, the star has looked a shadow of his former self.
So what Pep Guardiola has revealed about Gundogan has left some people a little bit surprised.
Man City fans react as Pep Guardiola confirms Ilkay Gundogan has triggered contract extension
When Gundogan re-signed for City, he penned a one-year deal with the option of a second.
Gundogan – who Ruben Dias previously branded ‘special’ and a ‘magician’ (via mancity.com) – has now automatically triggered the extension option in his contract based on the number of games he’s played this season.
Speaking after the win over Crystal Palace, Guardiola said: “Definitely. What’s going to happen [this summer], I don’t know, but he has one more year contract now…
“It is about his activity and defensive intelligence when he arrives. He has helped us massively but, as a team, we cannot help him individually because it’s not about you, you, you.”
Guardiola proceeded to praise the star for his performance against Palace.
And recently, City fans suggested Gundogan had his best game of the season against Leicester City.
Gundogan could still leave Man City, but he has a role to play
There has been a big reaction to the news about Gundogan extending his contract, but many have not realised that this is not a fresh decision by the club.
Gundogan’s has automatically triggered the existing clause that would give him another year. It does not mean he won’t still leave the club this summer, and Guardiola’s comments clearly indicated that it’s not guaranteed he’ll stay.
That said, the manager did praise the player, so it may perhaps come down to what the player wants to do.
While it has been a tough season for the 33-year-old, Gundogan has shown recently that he does still have things to offer.
| Ilkay Gundogan for Man City in 2024/25 |
| Appearances – 43 |
| Minutes played – 2711 |
| Goals – 2 |
| Assists – 4 |
Ultimately, he should never have played as much as he has this season, but the Rodri injury meant he was forced to have a level of involvement that his body perhaps couldn’t handle.
There is an argument for Gundogan remaining at City next season.
So long as he is given a rotational role, and Guardiola can deploy him alongside players with legs, then he can do a job.
