Ilkay won’t be bemoaning the lack of a break
In years gone by, Ilkay Gundogan would have been dreaming of a well-deserved winter break by now.
As a player at Borussia Dortmund, he used to enjoy Christmases off, but there is no such luck for him in England.
So rather than heading to the sunshine, Gundogan is firmly involved in Manchester City’s attempt to retain the Premier League title.
With title rivals Liverpool coming to the Etihad for a crunch game on January 3, there is little time to relax and enjoy the festivities.
“I bet Bundesliga players are already planning where they are going,” says the German midfielder.
“Some go skiing, but I preferred to go to the sun, mostly Dubai.
“I know there will be a lot of Bundesliga players lying in the sun there, watching Premier League football, so maybe I will give them a wave!
“But we all know it is a big tradition in England to compete during this tough period.
“It makes it really special and challenging because it’s competitive, too. You have to deal with that.
“We are in the same situation as last season. The only difference is we have better opponents in the league.
“It is not a disadvantage to be honest. It can make a good impact.
“It can force us to be there in every single Premier League game, so we play our best football to get the results needed to be successful.”
Next up in City’s crowded schedule is their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Leicester City on Tuesday night.
With such a busy programme – and the squad being stretched – other clubs might deem it to be a match too far, but not at The Etihad.
City have won the competition three times in the past five seasons and, as holders, Gundogan admits they have no plans to give up the trophy.
“Of course we will be 100% focused,” he says.
“We will go there to try to win because we know how good the feeling is of winning the first trophy of the season in February.
“It is another cup to win, and obviously we are title holders and want to try to go to the final again.”