Gündogan’s Return to Manchester City Brings Analytical Approach and Advice for Haaland
Ilkay Gündogan looks at football from a wider perspective than most players, almost like an extension of the coach. The German midfielder recently decided to leave FC Barcelona and return to his former team, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. At 33 years old, he quickly showed his analytical approach, which was evident during his time at Barça. Gündogan believes that a team’s game can be understood from collective, individual, and emotional viewpoints, and he isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts. In an interview with Manchester Evening, the former Barça player offered advice to Erling Haaland on how to improve his game. Haaland, a 24-year-old Norwegian striker, has been in top form, leading the Premier League 2024-25 scoring charts with 4 goals in 2 games. Guardiola previously encouraged him to “run a lot” and Gündogan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of defensive and offensive connection.
Gündogan praised Haaland’s accuracy as his standout quality. “If he maintains his current level of play, he doesn’t need to improve much. His main focus should be scoring goals, supporting the team, retaining possession, and making things easier for his teammates. It’s all about teamwork and unity in attack,” he explained.
At the time, Gündogan talked about what he can bring to the Norwegian striker. “I think this is also why he enjoys playing with me, being close to each other, because there is a certain understanding between us and we will keep working on that so we can benefit from each other in the future,” he said. Haaland’s involvement got Gündogan’s approval.
“I have to say that his behavior in the locker room, his attitude, the way he interacts with people, whether they are players or staff, is simply amazing. He is also an example as a person in how he treats those around him and how he not only makes himself better, but also makes us better. That’s why it’s a great privilege to share a locker room with him,” he mentioned.
Gündogan’s straightforward honesty when talking publicly about football made headlines at Barça 2023-24. Especially, on two occasions, right after the loss against Real Madrid in the La Liga Clásico at Montjuïc, he mentioned that he would have “liked to see more anger in the locker room,” emphasizing that he didn’t join Barça “to lose these types of games.”
His statement had an even bigger impact after Barça was knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals against PSG, in a match that started going downhill after Ronald Araujo was sent off, preventing a potential French goal by committing a foul that led to a direct red card. “You have to be sure you’ll reach the ball. If not, give the chance to our goalkeeper. Playing so many minutes with 10 players, it’s tough,” Gündogan said at that time.
Days later, when asked about it, Araujo replied with both brevity and harshness. “I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself. I have codes and values that must be respected,” he concluded. Back in Manchester, Gündogan, the captain who lifted the only Champions League trophy, is once again acting as such.
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