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When Erling Haaland went through an eerie dry spell towards the end of the season, and had the audacity to fail to score in a handful of games, Man City required another attacking option.
Their answer to their mystical striking force momentarily faltering was a silky central midfielder. Over a crucial four-game stretch, llkay Gundogan bagged four and added two assists, including a brace to see off Everton in what was regarded as a potential point of failure as they held off Arsenal in the Premier League title race. His first against the Toffees was a finish Haaland would be envious of, a deft touch on his right thigh, with a half pivot and quick flick into the bottom corner — all without looking at the goal.
He was at it again in the FA Cup final, scoring both of City's goals against a dogged Manchester United side, playing a central role as his side lifted their second of three trophies in a historic season. That run captured one element of Gundogan's game: the sneakily impactful goalscorer. But there are other versions, too. There is Gundogan the creator, Gundogan the composed distributor, and Gundogan the dribbler.
Pep Guardiola has fashioned a near-perfect attacking midfielder out of an injury-prone player whose career was slowly fading due to a series of fitness issues. But his time at the Etihad Stadium appears to be coming to an end, and Barcelona have all-but sealed his signature on a two-year contract. Although they now have him, Gundogan is not the player the Blaugrana needed. At Man City, he's a cult hero and perennial Premier League champion. For Barcelona, he is an imperfect fit, and not the type of player the Blaugrana require to defend their La Liga crown.
There are many good things about Gundogan, and any team would want to have him, regardless of his exact role. And at nearly 33, he would perhaps also be willing to concede that he couldn't be a regular for the Blaugrana — not with youngsters Gavi and Pedri buzzing around the midfield. But the issue is, Barca are in massive financial trouble once again. Right now, there is no clear path to them officially registering the four players they have handed contract extensions to in the last 18 months. La Liga president Javier Tebas, not exactly known for his ability to coalesce with Barcelona, has made it clear that the Blaugrana need to shed nearly €200 million (£175.8m/$220m) before they can even think about signing players.
And they've gone about this in a litany of ways. Some players will be moved on, others have renegotiated contracts. The Blaugrana even got rid of their in-house TV station to slash €8m (£7.0m/$8.8m). If they ever reach the figure they need to, that doesn't exactly mean spending can be unbounded, either. After the new deals are sorted out, Barcelona will go after a handful of other players, including the high-priced Martin Zubimendi to fill a much-needed defensive midfield role. They will also perhaps need a new right-back, and even a backup No.9. Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque appears to be on his way for a handsome €35m (£30m/$38m) with €10m in add ons. These are all pricey investments, for a club that doesn't seem to have much money, at positions where Gundogan isn't the answer.
The midfielder, in fairness, has made a career off of his versatility. There are a number of reasons why he has worked so well for this City team, and his ability to do a bit of everything is one of them. But, ironically, and perhaps unfortunately for Barcelona, Gundogan's weakest position within the midfield is the one where they need help the most. Sergio Busquets announced his intention to depart the club at the end of the season, leaving Barca with a void to fill at the base of their midfield. Frenkie de Jong could arguably operate in the position, but they probably need a bigger, more imposing, defensive presence to shore up that position. And it's not one that Gundogan is exactly an expert in.
Manchester City lost the 2021 Champions League final as much as Chelsea won it. Thomas Tuchel's Blues were excellent on the day, with the German manager devising an excellent tactical plan to nullify City's attack. But it was one tactical blunder in the tightest of games that doomed City on the day, as Guardiola deployed Gundogan as a lone No.6, operating at the base of a three-man midfield without Rodri beside him. It proved to be a costly decision. In the 42nd minute in Porto, Mason Mount threaded a pass through a large patch of grass where Gundogan should have been stood. Kai Havertz dutifully strode in on goal, and buried the winner. Gundogan's credibility as a No.6 should not be ruined by one game. He has been trusted with that sort of role sparingly throughout his City career, and turned in some fine performances in wins. But this is not a player who is supposed to play there every week — which is exactly what Barcelona need. The fit, then, is markedly imperfect.
This is something of a shame, not least because Gundogan is an excellent footballer. But Barcelona, in a loose sense, already have him. The Blaugrana have been crying out for a playmaking midfielder for some time now, especially as Robert Lewandowski saw his goals dry up in the second half of this season. That was swiftly linked to the injuries of Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona's two best creative forces. It's something of an imperfect conclusion; there was a while when Lewandowski was simply failing to put the ball into the net. But there is certainly an element of truth to the fact that Barcelona need more creativity from the middle third, a player who can pick the final, crucial pass. But Gundogan isn't necessarily that player. Like many in the City system, he is the one that serves the pass before the assist. He plays the diagonal balls to the full-backs or wide men, shifting play into the right areas. More accurately, he finds the spaces where City create overloads. While he could potentially break down a low block or siphon a ball through an impossible cluster of bodies, it would be a misuse to ask him to do that alone. In this Barca side, in fact, he would function in a similar way to Pedri. And as good as Gundogan is, Barcelona's Spanish starboy needs to be on the pitch.
Barcelona's transfer strategy is hard to predict, but if reports are to be believed, the Blaugrana covet a No.6. They have already famously lost Lionel Messi, who has committed his future to Inter Miami. The Argentine was an odd fit this time around, and they have perhaps avoided a crisis waiting to happen. And in his stead, it makes sense, then, that the Blaugrana are also pursuing a No.6. While Ruben Neves has spurned any potential interest in favour of a Saudi Pro League move, the likes of Zubimendi and Sofyan Amrabat have been mentioned as replacements. There are priorities elsewhere, too. Jules Kounde, although excellent defensively, has been imperfect going forward at right-back. He's always seemed something of an awkward tactical fit, as although his distribution is ever-improving, he doesn't have the attacking instinct or final delivery of a marauding full-back that Barcelona hope to employ. A host of names have cropped up as potential cover, or, indeed more permanent options there. If money is tight — and it probably will be — Gundogan is a luxury Barcelona cannot afford.
Still, this was kind of always going to happen. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has gone to war with La Liga over the last six months, promising a big summer to fans and players alike. And so far, things appear to have fallen his way. Barcelona have won the league, while La Liga have reportedly conceded ground on his "viability plan" to free up room for transfers — although that blueprint was pieced together with Messi in mind. But Laporta is not the kind of person who will simply stop there. He has a real attachment to the perceived grandeur of the club, and, as he showed last summer with a litany of signings, will have little problem spending big. And while Gundogan won't require a direct payment to Manchester City, this is still not a cheap signing. There will be fees and an expensive contract. But it will likely be sorted out, if only as proof that the Blaugrana can.
As a squad player, Gundogan is an excellent addition. That he has played under Guardiola for seven years is also of interest. After all, Barcelona prescribe to the immaterial concept of club DNA like few other teams in the world. Unfortunately, that does not make every single player a disciple of the famed manager. But Barcelona's success should now be stretched into a long-term concept. They are a young team, with an exciting core. Expensive veterans at the wrong positions aren't necessary — especially when they could already be searching behind the back of the sofa to scrape the pennies together for a big-money defensive midfielder. The Blaugrana won't regret Gundogan immediately, provided that Xavi uses him correctly in the short term. But his imperfect fit could be a long-term issue, especially for a club consistently marred by poor finances.
Source: goal.com
