Ilkay Gundogan, who was a key player for Manchester City last season, has agreed to join Barcelona on a free transfer. The midfielder had an impressive campaign, with eight goals and four assists in the Premier League, and played a crucial role in City‘s treble-winning season. Gundogan’s arrival comes as Barcelona is undergoing a major squad overhaul, with several veteran players leaving the club.
One of Gundogan’s strengths is his versatility, as he can play in various positions in midfield. He mainly operates on the left side, which is currently dominated by Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona. It is expected that Barcelona will bring in a new defensive midfielder to replace Sergio Busquets, with Marcelo Brozovic and Joshua Kimmich being mentioned as potential targets.
Possible lineups for Barcelona with Gundogan include pairing him with De Jong in midfield, or adding Pedri to create a three-Man midfield. If Barcelona fails to find a suitable replacement for Busquets, they may have to adjust their defensive approach. Gundogan can still offer an attacking threat from a deeper position, as he made 30 tackles in the Premier League last season.
Both Gundogan and De Jong are not known for their defensive abilities, but they can provide a strong partnership in midfield and maximize Barcelona’s ball-playing capabilities. This partnership would also allow Pedri to play in a more attacking role.
Gundogan will be reunited with his former Borussia Dortmund teammate, Robert Lewandowski, at Barcelona. Their chemistry could improve Barcelona’s attacking output, as the team’s goal tally last season was the lowest among the top five league winners in Europe. Lewandowski contributed 23 goals, and Barcelona will hope that Gundogan can increase their attacking threat.
Overall, Gundogan’s arrival at Barcelona provides the team with a versatile and experienced midfielder who can contribute both defensively and offensively. His partnership with players like De Jong and Lewandowski could greatly enhance Barcelona’s performance in the upcoming season.
