Ilkay Gundogan had an uncertain future at Manchester City this summer after going public about a lack of playing time. The 31-year-old admitted being frustrated with Pep Guardiola’s squad rotation and wouldn’t sign a new deal beyond 2023 until he received assurances over his role.
With Gabriel Jesus leaving to join Arsenal, Raheem Sterling leaving to join Chelsea, Oleksandr Zinchenko leaving to join Arsenal and Bernardo Silva wanting to join Barcelona, there was a fear that Gundogan would also be sold in the same transfer window.
But after starting City’s 2-0 win over West Ham United on August 7 and 4-0 win over Bournemouth on August 13, Gundogan still has an important role to play under Guardiola. Frank McAvennie says he’ll be in line to get a 12-month contract extension.
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He told Football Insider: “They’ll give him another year I would think. He might have a year option and they’ll just take that out. Man City is going to bring younger players in that’s for sure. I think they’ll get another year out of him.
“I think you need experience with the young players they’re bringing in, the likes of (Phil) Foden, (Jack) Grealish, you need experience around them. (Erling) Haaland is only 22 so you need experience around him too.
“I think Gundogan is the most talkative out of the team, he’s the only one I see shouting. I wouldn’t go against Pep, he sees the players train so he’ll know. Gundogan seems like he’s going to be the one who’s shouting and balling and that’s what the young players need.”
Gundogan has made 256 appearances in all competitions since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, scoring 50 goals with 33 assists. The German international has been a brilliant servant for the Sky Blues but has one year left on his deal, so he’ll want his future cleared up as soon as possible.
In other news, Frank McAvennie says Pep Guardiola won’t sell ‘damn good’ Bernardo Silva