Man City boss Pep Guardiola is second to none as a tactician, says Ilkay Gundogan

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2018 by squawka.com

Ilkay Gundogan has heaped praise on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, saying the Spaniard is the best tactician in football.

City are currently 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League and look set to win their first title since 2013-14.

Guardiola and Gundogan arrived at the club in summer of 2016 and both endured a difficult first season in England – City finished third in the league and 15 points behind champions Chelsea, while Gundogan suffered a serious knee injury.

But Guardiola's methods have aligned with improved team performances this term, leading to potential success on multiple fronts.

And Gundogan believes the former Barcelona boss deserves credit for tactically influencing City's fine form.

"Sporting things are going very well, both for the team and for me personally. I could not be much happier," Gundogan told RTL.

"Pep Guardiola tactically brings a gift that is second to none in the world. When we go to the pitch and see what [Guardiola's tactics] trigger, then a light goes on.

"The way we see football is quite similar. He played in a similar position to where I'm playing now and he's also a big fan of midfielders."

Gundogan has been directly involved in only three goals in the Premier League this season, scoring two and providing one assist. So what exactly is the German's role in the City team?

He is often found drifting around the pitching in something of a free role, which is where his accuracy comes into play. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has completed 91% of his passes in the league this term, producing 15 goalscoring chances in 22 appearances.

Gundogan, has been successful with 77% of his take-ons and accurate with 64% of his 19 shots.

It's worth mentioning that he has been more productive in the Champions League, scoring twice and providing two assists in seven appearances.