After a successful first full season under Xavi, Barcelona are looking to achieve more in the ongoing 2023–24 campaign. The LaLiga champions decided to strengthen their team and had a lot of targets in the summer 2023 transfer window. However, their financial situation prevented them from spending huge amounts on players. Instead, Barcelona had to look for players who were available on loan and had the capability to strengthen their team.
The Spanish club was behind the Manchester City duo of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Gundogan was available as a free agent and decided to join the Spanish giants. He is an exceptional midfield talent who single-handedly won the FA Cup for the treble winners last season. Xavi has a young midfield, and Gundogan adds more experience. Here is a look at how things have started for the German and what more he can give to the team.
Big match player
Ilkay Gundogan joined Manchester City in 2016 but had to deal with a few injury issues at the start of his career. His spell in England ended with five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, and a UEFA Champions League title.
Last season, Gundogan played in 49 games combined in the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup. The 32-year-old scored 11 goals, with two coming in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. Gundogan was a big-match player and found space inside the penalty box on most occasions. His goals towards the end of the 2021–22 season also played a huge role in Manchester City’s league title win.
Ilkay Gundogan had a 40.8% accuracy rate. The midfielder attempted a few shots from outside the penalty box, but most of them were blocked. His five long-range efforts found the back of the net, and this shows his quality on the field.
The German midfielder chipped in with six assists in the treble-winning season. He likes to dictate the play from the edge of the final third. Gundogan also makes some important runs into the penalty box and often creates a scoring chance. He averaged 2.18 passes into the penalty box per 90 minutes in the 2022-23 season.
New club, new role
Xavi has used his German reinforcement in all five LaLiga games played this season. Ilkay Gundogan has played as an attacking midfielder and a central midfielder for his new side. The player has added a bit of experience to this pretty young midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan has already added two assists to his name. With a high accuracy rate of 90%, the player likes to move the ball from the centre. He has attempted 15 passes to the opposition penalty box, and nine have found a teammate. Xavi will demand more creativity from the German in the tight season ahead.
The 32-year-old German midfielder was named captain of the German national team. He is in the last stages of his career and will look to achieve the most with Barcelona.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
