Ilkay Gundogan has an uncertain future at Manchester City as he’s yet to sign a contract extension beyond the summer and has interest from Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
James Ducker of the Telegraph notes the 32-year-old has a new deal on the table but says Gundogan ‘isn’t a long-term option’, so City will need to replace him.
Vital Man City have long said Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans should be considered as his successor, as the 25-year-old will soon be available on a free transfer and comes close to matching the German international on statistics.
Gundogan has made 18 Premier League appearances this season, scoring two goals with two assists. Tielemans has made 21 league appearances, scoring three goals with one assist.
Gundogan averages 43.3 passes per game with an 88.4% completion ratio. Tielemans averages 54.7 passes per game with an 84.1% completion ratio. Gundogan averages 1.6 created chances per game while Tielemans averages 1.1.
Gundogan averages 0.3 successful dribbles per game while Tielemans averages 0.6. Gundogan averages 0.4 shots on target per game while Tielemans averages 0.4. Gundogan averages 0.2 accurate crosses per game while Tielemans averages 0.5.
Gundogan averages 1.1 tackles per game while Tielemans averages 2.2. And Gundogan averages 0.8 interceptions per game while Tielemans averages 0.9.
For a free transfer, City wouldn’t lose a lot having the Belgian international replace the German.
In other news, journalist says Bernardo Silva ‘could depart’ because he wants to be ‘closer to home’
For more Manchester City news and opinion, please follow our Vital Football page on Facebook – Vital Man City. Click the link and get involved!
Can you name these Man City players from the 2000s? Test your knowledge, take the quiz and challenge your friends and family to beat your score