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İlkay Gündoğan 2024 - departing Barcelona?
- Thread starter horsechoker
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Because their pull hasn't diminished despite their financial issues?
Tbh most players are only there because they paid a lot to come and stay with a few back handers. When Pep is gone it’s an even bigger factor. Now that he’s achieved every trophy there, there’s not as much motivation to remain.
Bernardo has been flirting with leaving for a couple of years now despite being a key player.
Because despite their self inflicted troubles, Barcelona are one of maybe 3 or 4 clubs that are still capable of attracting top class players. In Barcelonas case they have to look at players post peak but still very good rather than pre or current peak players but their name and stature alone is enough to tempt players.
Having Barcelona on your CV is aspirational for a footballer, regardless of who else you played for or what you won. Not many clubs have that.
He likes playing to more than one man and his dog?
Thank god for that. Guy's an absolute menace.
He's a perfect example of giving new signings a season to settle in. First year he looked slow and ineffectual but he went on to be a fantastic signing.
He's a perfect example of giving new signings a season to settle in. First year he looked slow and ineffectual but he went on to be a fantastic signing.
Most players would unless they had some tie to the area. City is literally like an expat seat in the Middle East, you go there to earn money big money and win things but your family hate you for the move, you know deep down you're doing it for the wonga and you have to deal with the political sideshow.
How did Barcelona a) afford a player even on a free, and b) outbid Abu Dhabi?! 
The secret ingredient is crimeHow did Barcelona a) afford a player even on a free, and b) outbid Abu Dhabi?!
Fixed itWhy would anyone prefer to live in Barcelona overManchester- Cheshire?
Very hard to dislike even as a City player. It’s quite a loss for them as he’s one of those who pops up at just the right time of the season. If Bernardo goes too, it could be seriously damaging for City.
No fee?
b) who says they were, money isn't the be all, end all for every playerHow did Barcelona a) afford a player even on a free, and b) outbid Abu Dhabi?!
Completely disagree with the bolded.
Valverde you’ve somehow not even mentioned and he’s arguably the best of the lot. Modric is still World class.
Maybe he wants to try a "real" big club for some years, even if not in the best financial shape
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Big club appeal ?
He's never done anything of note for the national team, i can easily see him flopping in Barcelona. He's been that good because of Pep and not the other way around.
Could become quite entertaining, Barca are known for handing out these contracts where the wages of the players rises to ridiculous heights over time. Could prove quite difficult to get rid of Gundo the god.
Could become quite entertaining, Barca are known for handing out these contracts where the wages of the players rises to ridiculous heights over time. Could prove quite difficult to get rid of Gundo the god.
He's never done anything of note for the national team, i can easily see him flopping in Barcelona. He's been that good because of Pep and not the other way around.
Could become quite entertaining, Barca are known for handing out these contracts where the wages of the players rises to ridiculous heights over time. Could prove quite difficult to get rid of Gundo the god.
Wait what? Do you not remember him in Dortmund before his injury?
Thank feck he’s fecked off.
One of City’s best players over the past few years. His influence was unreal.
One of City’s best players over the past few years. His influence was unreal.
Am I the only one who thinks City are weaker in Gundogan leaving and Kovacivic coming in ? Don’t get me wrong I think Kovacivic is a good player but I think Gundogan is a level above at least.
I don’t mean that either in that we’ve more a chance of trophies but Gundogan leaving, De Bruyne in his 30’s and Bernardo Silva possibly off to Saudi Arabia makes City a far less dominant team than with them regardless of their replacements.
I don’t mean that either in that we’ve more a chance of trophies but Gundogan leaving, De Bruyne in his 30’s and Bernardo Silva possibly off to Saudi Arabia makes City a far less dominant team than with them regardless of their replacements.
Wouldn’t surprise me if he turned to shit or a shadow of his former self.
So glad hes gone.
People asking why does he want to leave city for barca, really? You don't get it? Have you ever been to a city match?
There are no City players talking passionately about the club and it's history. Players like Gundo, went there because they know it's their best chance of winning the CL if Madrid won't take them. Players want to look back on a trophy laden career, they are competitive, they want to win things. He's ticked that box with city and he's lived it, he knows it's a soulsless means to an end. He likely wants to experience a truly great football club, with atmopshere, passion and history - these are tangible things that mean a lot. Trust me, playing in the camp nou with their fans, and putting on a barca shirt will be something else entirely in comparison with the meaningless badge and empty seats of the Etihad.
There are no City players talking passionately about the club and it's history. Players like Gundo, went there because they know it's their best chance of winning the CL if Madrid won't take them. Players want to look back on a trophy laden career, they are competitive, they want to win things. He's ticked that box with city and he's lived it, he knows it's a soulsless means to an end. He likely wants to experience a truly great football club, with atmopshere, passion and history - these are tangible things that mean a lot. Trust me, playing in the camp nou with their fans, and putting on a barca shirt will be something else entirely in comparison with the meaningless badge and empty seats of the Etihad.
How do people still not understand that Barca and RM will always be a huge draw for a huge number of players. When Gudogan is retired people will be more impressed when he says he played for Barca than Man City. He has won everything at City as well. Might as well play for a huge club with masses of history for a few years as well.
Barca are looking at getting a Busquets replacement at DM as well, so they would have some interesting midfield options with (new DM), Pedri, FDJ, Gundo, Gavi etc. - with players like Kessie still on their books as well.
Big hole in the City team.
No doubt they will fill it with another WC player but Gundogan had that annoying ability of arriving late in the box and scoring important goals...always seemed to be a spell in the last 2 seasons where he won them 5-6 game on the bounce scoring the same goal over and over.
If Bernardo leaves as well and KDB picks up a few injuries...you never know*
Arsenal could pounce
No doubt they will fill it with another WC player but Gundogan had that annoying ability of arriving late in the box and scoring important goals...always seemed to be a spell in the last 2 seasons where he won them 5-6 game on the bounce scoring the same goal over and over.
If Bernardo leaves as well and KDB picks up a few injuries...you never know*
Arsenal could pounce
This literally has nothing to do with his departure. Everything online from sources close to him and the club indicated it all came down to the contract length. City only offered 1 year contract where as Barcelona offered 2+optional 1 year. It’s no brainer which one your taking. Everyone close to him indicated he would’ve stayed if he was offered the same length.
Big hole in the City team.
No doubt they will fill it with another WC player but Gundogan had that annoying ability of arriving late in the box and scoring important goals...always seemed to be a spell in the last 2 seasons where he won them 5-6 game on the bounce scoring the same goal over and over.
If Bernardo leaves as well and KDB picks up a few injuries...you never know*
Arsenal could pounce
I’d say Chelsea and Pool will have a good chance next season.
Bye gonedoggin.
Treble isnt a wonga
My post is like two sentences and yet you've somehow missed the part that says 'win things'
I'd take Kessie on the cheap still. He was great at Milan and never looked like he'd fit in at Barca really.
Chelsea?
Are you scared to say united? Neither of those teams have a better shot than united.
Barca, I'm sure would prefer to sell even though they signed him on a free, but yeah, seems a little more suited to a direct brand of football. Could do as a "Rabiot" alternative to add squad depth and competition to midfield, assuming we move on both Fred and McT.
Going to city used to be for the money.. but now sadly i think even if they pay less players would still go there for money and pure enjoyment playing in a well functional team
Politics aside.
They have no Europe next season you don’t think that benefits them? They still have a talented team. The last time they had no Europe was the last time they won the league with 95 points. Not hard to say they’d be favourites.
I’m not afraid to say United, but I’d still say Chelsea are favourites without Europe distractions.
they are creating history now with this team though. Just like we have the rich history and ex players such as cantona and Georgie best.. city will have that in the future with the likes of haaland. History can’t exist until it is created. The oil money thing won’t matter in the future because it will be the norm. Unfortunately.
historys got to be created and start somewhere.
He’ll probably become injury-prone again now after leaving peps magic doctors.
He’ll become injury prone again, once his supply of Pep’s Magic Juice runs out, just like he was at Dortmund.