Ilkay Gundogan completed his move to FC Barcelona last week, as the German midfielder joined the La Liga champions in a free deal from Manchester City.
During his time at Manchester City, Gundogan captained the blue side of Manchester to a historic treble-winning season. The 32-year-old midfielder had an outstanding season, making crucial goal contributions in important matches across all competitions for Manchester City.
During a recent interview with The Players’ Tribune, Gundogan made some bold statements about his former teammate, Erling Haaland. During the interview, Gundogan expressed his surprise at Erling Haaland’s exceptional talent and his relentless drive to improve every day.
He went on to state, “He’s never satisfied. I feel like there are no limits for him. Messi and Ronaldo are the only comparisons for the level he could reach.” Gundogan’s omission of Kylian Mbappe from the comparison has garnered significant attention.
The impressive statistics of Erling Haaland certainly support his claim as a rising star in the world of soccer. Given Haaland’s and Kylian Mbappé’s exceptional performances and potential, many believe that they will dominate the sport throughout this decade. The statement has received widespread acceptance, with few disputing the notion of their future dominance.
Haaland’s exceptional numbers with Manchester City
On the back of an incredible debut season for Manchester City, Erling Haaland made a strong impression. The Norway international showcased his remarkable goal-scoring abilities by netting 36 goals and providing 8 assists in 35 Premier League appearances.
Additionally, he scored 12 goals in the UEFA Champions League and 4 goals in 6 matches in domestic cup competitions. Haaland’s outstanding performances led him to finish as the top scorer in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Only two players in English football history have won the top-flight league title, the European Cup, finished as top scorer in both competitions, and been named FWA Footballer of the Year all in the same season.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland. pic.twitter.com/ibMkujvK2e
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 10, 2023
Turning 23 next month, Haaland has been scoring at a phenomenal rate for both his club and country. With such an impressive performance, he has the potential to be within touching distance of Messi and Ronaldo by the end of his career. However, whether he can sustain this level of output for another 12–13 years remains to be seen.
What can Ilkay Gundogan bring to Xavi’s Barcelona?
Gundogan‘s statement was part of an interview in which he also discussed his move to FC Barcelona. The German expresses his excitement about joining Xavi’s side in Spain.
Gundogan’s transfer generates excitement among FC Barcelona fans, who believe that the German can play a vital role in connecting the midfield with the attack under Xavi’s management.
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Barcelona encountered difficulties in certain matches as they struggled to break down defenses. Observers noticed Lewandowski frequently dropping deep to assist in play-making, which ultimately affected the team’s final product.
Gundogan’s position on Guardiola’s side is precisely what Xavi needs to enhance the team’s cohesion in transitioning from defense to attack. Gundogan’s arrival will also provide the team with much-needed experience following the departures of senior figures like Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.