The Blaugrana have signed the former Man City player, but he may not fit Xavi’s diamond midfield. Man City needed another striker as Erling Haaland went on a bizarre scoring drought towards the conclusion of the season.
A slick center midfielder helped their supernatural strike force recover. Over a vital four-game run, llkay Gundogan scored four and added two assists, including a brace to beat Everton in a potential moment of failure as they held off Arsenal in the Premier League title chase.
His first against the Toffees was a finish Haaland would envy—a smooth touch on his right thigh, a half turn, and a fast flick into the bottom corner without looking at the goal.
In the FA Cup final, he scored both City’s goals against a determined Manchester United team, helping his team win their second of three trophies in a memorable season.
That run showed Gundogan’s stealthy goalscorer. Other variations exist. Gundogan the creator, composed distributor, and dribbler.
Pep Guardiola turned a career-threatening injury-prone player into a near-perfect attacking midfielder. Barcelona have signed him to a two-year contract, ending his spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Is Gundogan needed at Barcelona?
Gundogan isn’t what Barcelona needs. He’s a hero at Manchester City. He is unsuitable for Barcelona’s La Liga title defense.
Gundogan is valuable to any squad, regardless of his role. At nearly 33, he may also accept that he can’t be a Blaugrana regular with Gavi and Pedri in the midfield.
Barca’s financial situation is again dire. They cannot now register the four players they have extended contracts to in the past 18 months.
La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has a poor relationship with Barcelona, has stated that the Blaugrana must sell roughly €200 million (£175.8m/$220m) before adding players.They’ve taken several approaches.
Some players will go, while others renegotiated contracts. To save €8m (£7.0m/$8.8m), the Blaugrana sold their TV station. Even if they meet the target, spending won’t be unlimited.
Barcelona will pursue many players, notably expensive defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi, if the new deals are finalized. They may need a right-back and a backup No.9.
Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque might sign for €35m (£30m/$38m) with €10m in add-ons.These are expensive purchases for a team with little money at positions where Gundogan isn’t the answer.
Gundogan’s versatility has helped this City club, among other reasons. Ironically, and maybe sadly for Barcelona, Gundogan’s weakest midfield position is where they need support the most.
Barca’s midfield was left empty as Sergio Busquets confirmed his departure at the end of the season. Frenkie de Jong could play, but they definitely need a larger, stronger defensive presence.
It’s also not Gundogan’s specialty.Chelsea won and Manchester City lost the 2021 Champions League final. Blues boss Thomas Tuchel’s tactical plan to stop City’s onslaught worked well.
However, Guardiola’s decision to play Gundogan as a lone No.6 in a three-man midfield without Rodri doomed City in the tightest of games.It was expensive. Mason Mount played Gundogan a pass in Porto’s 42nd minute.
Kai Havertz calmly scored the winning goal.One game shouldn’t undermine Gundogan’s No.6 reputation. He played that role rarely for City and had several good wins. This guy isn’t meant to play there every week, which Barcelona needs. Thus, it fits poorly.
Barcelona have his version.Gundogan is a great footballer, so this is unfortunate. However, Barcelona technically owns him. Since Robert Lewandowski’s goal drought in the second part of the season, the Blaugrana have needed a playmaking midfielder.
Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona’s top creative players, were injured. It’s a flawed conclusion since Lewandowski wasn’t scoring.
However, Barcelona need a midfielder who can make the last pass. Gundogan isn’t that player. He passes before assisting, like many City players. He directs play by playing diagonal balls to full-backs or wide men. He locates City overload zones.
Ikay could break down a low block or siphon a ball through an impossible crowd of bodies, but for him to accomplish that alone would be unfair. He would play like Pedri for Barca. Despite Gundogan’s talent, Barcelona’s Spanish star needs to play.
Barcelona reportedly want a No.6 since Lionel Messi left for Inter Miami. This time, the Argentine was strange, but they may have averted a catastrophe.
In his place, the Blaugrana should pursue a No.6.Zubimendi and Sofyan Amrabat who have been suggested as replacements for Ruben Neves but Neves has choosen the Saudi Pro League.
Right-back Jules Kounde is good defensively but poor offensively. Although his passing is improving, he lacks the attacking instinct and final delivery of a marauding full-back Barcelona wants to use.
Many names have surfaced as potential cover or permanent alternatives.Barcelona cannot afford Gundogan if money is tight, which it likely will be.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been fighting La Liga for six months, promising supporters and players a huge summer. He seems to be doing well.
Barcelona won the championship, and La Liga has apparently lost ground on his “viability plan” to make way for transfers though that blueprint was designed with Messi in mind.
Laporta won’t just end there. He’s attached to the club’s perceived grandeur and will spend large, as he did last summer with a lot of recruits. Gundogan won’t pay Manchester City directly, but he’s still expensive.
Fees and a costly contract are expected. It will be resolved, if only to prove the Blaugrana can.
Gundogan is a great teammate and is seven years under Guardiola are also intriguing. Barcelona, like few other teams, believes in club DNA.
Unfortunately, not every player follows the legendary management. Barcelona’s success should be considered long-term, young, intriguing squad.
Expensive veterans in the incorrect positions aren’t essential, especially when they might be hunting beneath the sofa for a big-money defensive midfielder.
If Xavi utilizes Gundogan well in the near term, Barcelona won’t regret it. However, his poor fit might be a long-term concern for a financially struggling team.
