For the 2024/25 Premier League season, İlkay Gündoğan has made a return to Manchester City, bringing his quality and intelligence both in the build-up phase and by making attacking runs to create opportunities for his teammates.

With Rodri out for the season due to an ACL injury, Gündoğan is expected to step into this crucial build-up role.

This tactical analysis reveals how his deep-lying playmaking skills and ability to control the tempo add a new dimension to City’s midfield tactics.

This scout report will use key statistics to assess how Gündoğan has influenced Manchester City’s performances and tactical setup so far this season.

What Position Is İlkay Gündoğan Playing At Man City?

Ilkay Gündoğan is a very special player, capable of playing as a 6, 8, or 10, making him a complete midfielder; although he isn’t a defensively-minded player when playing as a 6, he takes on a deep-lying playmaker role similar to Andrea Pirlo or Toni Kroos—two great examples.

As an 8, Gündoğan thrives the most.

He drops into the 6 to support when needed, but being higher up the field allows him to make late runs into the penalty box or central forward runs, which create space for his striker as the opposition’s defensive line struggles to handle both of them.

In that 8 role, he can also adapt to playing as an advanced playmaker, similar to a 10.

Gündoğan doesn’t just stick to the role of a 10 or a 6—his ability and intelligence to roam as an 8 allow him to occupy both positions when necessary.

This versatility is what makes him so valuable to Manchester City and why he was equally valued at Barcelona.

İlkay Gündoğan Player Profile & Radar Chart

Ilkay Gündoğan’s player radar chart shows an analysis of his performances from the 2023/24 season at Barcelona, where he played 3131 minutes.

In terms of attacking, Gündoğan ranks very high in passes per 90 (97.9), dangerous passes per 90 (77.53), and touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 (19.6).

His goal contributions per 90 (73.7) and expected goal contribution (52.75) further emphasise his offensive abilities, showing how his deep-lying playmaking also contributes to the final third.

From a possession/passing standpoint, Gündoğan excels, with progressive passes per 90 (63.05) and received passes per 90 (97.4), showcasing his ability to maintain control and dictate the flow of the game.

His accurate pass percentage (97.9) also highlights his precision and intelligence in possession.

While Gündoğan style of play isn’t a pure defensive midfielder, he still shows some strength with defensive duels won (82.8) and aerial duels per 90 (65.6).

The radar chart illustrates Gündoğan’s well-rounded ability, especially in possession and attacking phases, making him a valuable player.

İlkay Gündoğan Heat Map

In Gündoğan’s heatmap for this season, we can see he’s primarily taking on the 8 role, frequently dropping into the 6 zone on the left side of the pitch.

However, when it comes to attacking play, there’s intensity across the width of the entire pitch, with particularly high activity in the opponent’s penalty box on the right side, where he makes central runs alongside Erling Haaland.

İlkay Gündoğan Progressive Pass Map

Because it is still early in the season, Gündoğan’s progressive pass map isn’t as filled as it should be.

However, as the season progresses, the number of progressive passes will certainly increase.

The reason you find progressive passes on both sides of the pitch, rather than tilting toward just one end, is due to the free-roam role given to him by Pep Guardiola.

This allows him to pick the pass he sees as best in whatever zone of the pitch he chooses to occupy.

İlkay Gündoğan Pass Map

Looking at his pass map, we can see where Gündoğan prefers to position himself during Manchester City’s build-up phase.

Notice the high number of passes on the left side of the pitch in his own half; this is where he typically operates when helping City build out from the back.

While Rodri tends to occupy the right side and centre, Gündoğan perfectly controls the left side of the pitch, ensuring fluidity in City’s build-up play.

İlkay Gündoğan Penetrating Carries Map

His penetrating carries map highlights Gündoğan’s progressive runs into the penalty box, a role he enjoys immensely.

Gündoğan is known for making late runs into the box and can effectively take on the responsibilities of a number 10 by driving the ball forward.

This is evident in his penetrating carries map so far.

Although the number of carries may not be too high at this early stage of the season, this map will certainly be filled out by the end, showcasing his consistent influence in the final third.

İlkay Gündoğan In The 6 Position

Since the CM 8 role that Gündoğan plays is given so much freedom, we will look at his roles in the 6 and 10, precisely where he helps the City the most.

Gündoğan has some of the best positioning and intelligence of any midfielder in the world.

He consistently places himself in the right spot at the right time.

In the image above, he positions himself between two Arsenal players, giving whichever City player has the ball at an angle a passing option.

He is behind three Arsenal players and between them in the half-space, ready to receive and turn.

The blue arrows highlight examples of who could play the ball into him if they were to receive it.

If you remember from the heat map and pass map above, you can see an example of where Gündoğan positions himself on the pitch in a real scenario.

He consistently takes that left-side role when helping Manchester City in the build-up, once again positioning himself between two Arsenal players to make himself an available passing option.

Rodri acts as the team’s anchor, the main player for the build-up and the starting point for City’s transitions.

Gündoğan plays just a few yards in front of him but stays near the same zone, almost functioning as a double pivot.

However, with Bernardo Silva also dropping in and out of that 6 zone, Gündoğan has the freedom to push forward and occupy the 10 role, which we will touch on shortly.

İlkay Gündoğan In The 10 Position

Gündoğan style of play is to roam on the left side of the pitch more often when looking to play that 10 role; below are some examples of how he plays into that role so well.

Gündoğan’s positioning in this space is beneficial for two key reasons.

Not only does he provide a passing option with the technical ability, vision, and execution to play dangerous passes into the box or switch the play, but he can also make those central runs in behind.

In this scenario, Gündoğan simply receives the ball in the available space and plays a dangerous pass into the penalty box—just one example of how he can pick out passes with precision in high-pressure moments.

Gündoğan in the 10 role is extremely dangerous, not just because of his central runs into the space behind the opposition’s defensive line, which causes confusion, but also because of the domino effect his movement creates.

When he makes this forward run, it opens space for the winger in front of him.

Notice the blue arrow on Gündoğan—if he makes that run forward, the Arsenal player marked in red will have to track and accommodate that movement.

Now, look at the winger marked in blue; this player will now have space to exploit on the flank.

This allows City to either play Gündoğan into space or switch the play to the winger in transition.

Once again, you can see Gündoğan occupying the 10 space, looking to make a run behind the backline and create space for Haaland.

In the image above, all Arsenal players are either man-marking or maintaining their zonal defensive shape, which Gündoğan is aiming to exploit.

His movement will not only disrupt the defensive line but also provide Haaland with the opportunity to find space and make a dangerous attacking move.

Now, we can see the outcome of Gündoğan’s run.

Since all Arsenal players were so focused on the City players staying on the edge of the box as Bernardo Silva had the ball on the wing, it allowed Gündoğan to make his run forward in behind.

In the image, we see the ball in the air after his first touch, giving him the opportunity to shoot.

While it should have been a moment for him to find the back of the net, it was still a great chance at goal nonetheless.

İlkay Gündoğan In The Press

Manchester City employ a high press in the opponent’s half that is extremely intense.

They maintain a disciplined structure, allowing them to win the ball back in the opponent’s half and keep the pressure on that side of the pitch.

Gündoğan plays a crucial role in this system, using his intelligence and positioning to disrupt the opposition’s build-up and quickly regain possession.

In the image above, you can see City positioning Gündoğan alongside Haaland in a dual-striker partnership during the press, with a four-man defensive line behind them.

However, this isn’t a typical 4-4-2 formation.

Manchester City’s midfielders, like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, are also able to step up into Gündoğan’s area when necessary.

At the same time, Gündoğan will drop a few yards back to accommodate their movement.

It’s a very fluid press, where players can rotate in and out of positions depending on the scenario, maintaining flexibility and unpredictability in their structure.

When City are defending in their own half as the opponent looks to penetrate their penalty box, you can often see Rodri and Gündoğan forming a double pivot just ahead of the back four, covering space and looking to intercept any passes through the centre to launch a quick counter-attack.

Gündoğan isn’t the most defensive-minded midfielder, nor is Rodri.

Neither of them is inclined to aggressively dive into tackles, which can sometimes be a concern when both are in the pivot.

However, this is part of the reason City often deploy an extra centre-back in the fullback position—to provide additional defensive coverage when they push more into the midfield.

What Does Rodri’s Injury Mean For Gündoğan?

With Rodri missing the rest of the season due to an ACL injury, it’s clear that Gündoğan will be tasked with more responsibility in Manchester City’s build-up play, likely partnering with Kovačić in the double pivot.

He will take on more duties to help the team progress from goal kicks, which could shift his heatmap a few yards deeper.

As for his attacking role as a 10, this is unlikely to change.

Kovačić or any other midfielder will most likely stay behind Gündoğan, allowing him to continue making those central runs behind the opposition’s defence.

Conclusion

Ilkay Gündoğan’s return to Manchester City for the 2024/25 Premier League season has given Pep Guardiola’s side a renewed sense of tactical versatility.

Whether playing as a 6, 8, or 10, Gündoğan’s intelligence, positional awareness, and ability to dictate play make him very valuable for the club.

With Rodri out for the season due to injury, Gündoğan will be increasingly relied upon to take up the build-up responsibilities alongside Kovačić.

His role in creating space with central runs for teammates like Haaland, Grealish, Savio, and Foden will most likely continue.

As the season progresses, Gündoğan’s role will continue to evolve.

However, one thing is clear: his experience and adaptability make him a key player in Manchester City’s pursuit of success this season.