Pressure is on Pogba, not me – City star

ILKAY GUNDOGAN has dismissed any suggestion that he’s under pressure because Pep Guardiola preferred to buy him instead of Paul Pogba.

The Manchester City manager abandoned the club’s long pursuit of the Frenchman in favour of spending £20m on the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

Guardiola was so determined to get the German international that he signed Gundogan despite knowing he’d miss the start of the season because he was still recovering from a dislocated knee.

Pogba eventually went to neighbours Manchester United for a world record £89m, while Gundogan had to wait to make his delayed debut against Borussia Moenchengladbach last Wednesday.

“It is no pressure for me,” said Gundogan. “I think Paul is probably under more pressure!

“I just try to play the best football I am able to play.

“It’s really good to know the manager values me.

“If he didn’t like the type of football I play he wouldn’t have me here.

“His presence was the biggest factor in me coming here. Everyone wants to work with him.

“I am really happy to be part of his team, just trying to learn every day from him. It’s a privilege.

“This is the most exciting project I’ve ever been involved with.

“I played for eight years in the Bundesliga and I was sure it was time for me to have a new adventure.”

After the convincing 4-0 victory in their first Champions League group match, Guardiola called on City’s fans to draw a line under their bad feeling towards UEFA which sees them regularly boo the Champions League anthem and boycott games.

Gundogan, who appreciates the part the famous “Yellow Wall” at the Westfalenstadion played in Dortmund’s run to the final three years ago, agrees.

“The Champions League is one of the biggest club stages you can reach and for players it is an honour to be part of it,” he says.

“You just enjoy playing against the best clubs in Europe.

“All supporters who come along should enjoy it, too.”

Guardiola also stated that he doesn’t believe his City team is yet ready to win the Champions League.

“In a long season you never know,” says Gundogan. “When I played for Dortmund we also didn’t expect to go all the way to the final.

“But we do need to improve our game and develop.”