Manchester City players have described what it is like to play with Ilkay Gundogan as he enters the final months of his contract.
Gundogan was the first signing under Pep Guardiola back in 2016 but his current deal runs out in June and while the manager would like him to stay there is no sign of a deal on the table that works for all parties. An agreement has not been ruled out, yet at the minute it seems more likely he will leave with Barcelona one of the major clubs interested in securing his services.
His contract situation has not seen him sidelined in any way at City as the club captain continues to prove he is at the top of his game. On Saturday he filled in for Rodri in the No.6 position and scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Leeds. There was a public disagreement with Guardiola after he took - and missed - a late penalty instead of Erling Haaland that would have made the game safe, but his quality still shone through.
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For Manuel Akanji, new to the squad this season after arriving from Dortmund, there is nobody better at doing what Gundogan does. "I think he is the best player I have ever played the possession game with. I feel like he has eyes in the back of his head, really," he said.
"When you pass him the ball sometimes he does these turns and knows exactly what is happening around him and he is so good on the ball and he is a really important player for us.
"It just looks so effortless. He does a turn and it looks so easy. He could do with it with his eyes closed and we are really happy to have him in the team.
"Obviously as a defender you want to pass to a player that you know won’t lose the ball and you want to give him good balls but we have so many players who can do that and that is why it makes the job so easy for me at the back."
Rico Lewis started his first game in over two months when he played against Leeds, and the youngster was tasked with spending most of his time alongside Gundogan in the No.6 role. Lewis has been watching and learning how the captain operates to feel his way into the squad.
"I'd say the composure that he has. He never panics on the ball even if he is being pressed," the teenager said.
"There is always an option in this team, somewhere to go to. Being composed and getting the basics right. Weight of pass and where you are passing it to and the right foot.
"He has good banter with the lads. He can talk to anyone. You can go to him if you have a problem. He is a great guy."
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