Forward thinking paying off for Gundogan ahead of tough clash at Stamford Bridge
ILKAY Gundogan has explained the thinking behind his more advanced role for Manchester City in recent fixtures that has seen him register his first goals of the Premier League season.
Gundogan has two goals in three league games with the opening goals against West Brom and Newcastle, and the scoring form has coincided with a change in his role under Pep Guardiola.
With Rodri an ever-present in defensive midfield, Gundogan says Guardiola has chosen to move him more forward in the City side rather than playing as the second player in a double pivot.
“To be honest, in the last few games where I scored, I played more of a number eight than a number six,” Gundogan explained.
“Before that, I played more of a holding midfielder role together with Rodri. It is different and every position needs a little bit of adaptation. I think I am a player that can adapt quickly and well into a system and the manager knows I am quite flexible.
“I try my best, it doesn’t matter where I am playing. That has always been a quality of mine, I don’t hope for anything or where to play, I just wait to see where I am playing and try to do the best for my team and help them as good as possible.
“It has worked out quite well in the last few games but also I know we can do better as a team so we need to try to keep improving. I think the last games were quite good in terms of results but also the way we played and approached the game. Now it is about focusing on doing this more.”
Offering a more in-depth
explanation of his two goals in December, which have both come from smart positioning in the box, Gundogan says his natural game lends itself to getting into scoring positions.
He explained: “As a team we like to rotate the ball and we like to pass and create chances in a patient way. With the quality we have, it is going to happen several times as well.
“Also, me personally, even though I like to be included in rotating the ball, when I am playing as a number eight and more offensive position, I try to put myself in the spaces where I think something could happen or I feel like the space is not occupied by a player of ours or the opponent.
“Both goals I scored in the last games were similar in the way they were from the right side and Raheem assisted me both goals and I tried to be in a space where I am free and able to get the ball and finish with one touch. It worked out quite well and as long as I am playing in that position I try to continue like that.
“Hopefully, I can score more goals even though that is not the most important thing for me and how I see my game in general. Obviously, it always helps the team and it is a team effort at the end of the day so hopefully we can do that in a lot more games this season.”
Looking ahead to facing Chelsea today, Gundogan said he anticipated a difficult clash in an unpredictable season: “I am quite sure Chelsea will also go into the game motivated on Sunday, they have a great squad, great players and I think they are very ambitious as well.
“That will make it tough for us but we will go with the same mindset into the game and it can be a great game I think.”