Gundogan is ready for new season after City pass ‘great test’ in Community Shield
German midfielder also hails Aguero as an ‘incredible striker ’ after Argentine scores his 200th goal for club
German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has said it is difficult to predict how prepared Manchester City are for the start of the Premier League season, but believes Sunday’s Community Shield win over Chelsea “was a great test”.
Pep Guardiola’s men begin their title defence at Arsenal on Sunday, looking to back-up a record-breaking campaign that saw them amass 100 points to win the league by a 19-point margin from Manchester United.
City, like so many teams this summer, have seen their pre-season preparations take place without a number of senior players due to their involvement in the World Cup in Russia.
Even the 2-0 victory at Wembley against Chelsea saw the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Ederson, and Raheem Sterling miss out.
Gundogan, who also returned late for pre-season following his World Cup campaign with Germany, believes beating a “strong” Chelsea side has helped the side with last-minute preparations.
“It was not easy for us, but most importantly we tried to do our job, to do what the manager expects,” Gundogan told City’s website. “The goals were well built up – the way we played was excellent. Overall, it was a great performance and a well-deserved win.
“I wasn’t surprised, just curious about the way we would start the game and how it would go. We know that Chelsea are a very strong team, especially with this manager who did a great job at Napoli – and we played them in the Champions League last year as well.
“We knew what to expect and we knew it was going to be tough, especially with the weather – it was surprisingly very hot. We did a great job and fully deserved to win and it was a very good start to the season for us.
“I wouldn’t say that it was necessary to give us confidence, but the first weeks when the season starts, the important games start, you never really know what to expect. You don’t really know 100 per cent on which level you are.
“It was a great test for us, a last test before the Premier League season. At the end we feel ready right now and we can’t wait for the season to start.”
While a host of first-team regulars were rested, Sergio Aguero showed no ill-effects from Argentina’s disappointing World Cup to fire both goals to take his tally to 201 for City.
When asked if Aguero was the best striker he has ever played with, Gundogan said: “I have played with [Robert] Lewandowski as well and he is also a world class striker but I think they are both on an incredible level.
“It’s very tough to compare these sort of strikers because they are just incredible and they can score out of nothing.
“I have said it many times before, we are very lucky to have Sergio in our team – and on top of that, even Gabriel [Jesus] with his ability and his quality. So we have two great strikers.”
Meanwhile, Gaurdiola confirmed after Sunday’s victory that the club’s summer transfer business might not be over.
The reigning Premier League champions have been relatively quiet during the summer transfer window, with Riyad Mahrez their only addition to date. The Spaniard said: “We are trying. We would like to find maybe one more because we don’t have two specific players to substitute Fernandinho.
“But if he doesn’t come, there won’t be anyone else. When we take a decision it does not depend on one victory or one defeat. If today we had not been able to win the game the question could have been different – saying you need a midfielder.”
Guardiola was said to be disappointed after Italian midfielder Jorginho – who played in the match at Wembley – decided to join Chelsea instead of City.
The Catalan coach said: “Yes, we were close but in the end Jorginho decided to stay with [Maurizio] Sarri. I said before, I want players who want to come here. He didn’t want that.”