İlkay Gündoğan - A Detailed Overview
Early life and Youth Career
İlkay Gündoğan, born on 24 October 1990, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, had football in his blood, his father Irfan was an amateur footballer. He is of Turkish descent as his parents emigrated from Turkey. Gündoğan started his football career at the age of five with SV Gelsenkirchen-Hessler 06, before moving to Schalke 04's academy in 1993. He spent a total of nine years at Schalke, before ending his youth career with VfL Bochum in 2008.
Senior Career and Breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund
Gündoğan made his professional debut at FC Nurnberg in 2009. His performance quickly caught the attention of Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany’s top flight clubs, and he was transferred there in 2011. He contributed significantly to Dortmund's success in the 2011/2012 season, where they won the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal. A pivotal moment occurred during the 2012-2013 UEFA Champions League campaign, in which he scored Dortmund’s only goal, during a 2-1 defeat in the final against Bayern Munich.
Injuries and Performance
Unfortunately, Gündoğan's career was affected by injuries which sidelined him for significant periods. Notably, from August 2013 to October 2014, he suffered from a spinal disk injury, causing him to miss out on the 2014 World Cup. However, resilient and determined, Gündoğan bounced back from his injuries, showcasing his quality on the pitch with remarkable technique, vision, and versatility.
Move to Manchester City
In 2016, Gündoğan made a significant move to Premier League giants, Manchester City, under the direction of Pep Guardiola. He became the first signing for Guardiola at the club. Despite suffering an ACL injury, he managed to make a good impression in the highly competitive Premier League. His performances have been instrumental in Manchester City's domestic dominance, with coveted trophies such as the Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019.
National Career
Gündoğan chose to represent the German national team, despite being eligible to play for Turkey. He made his debut for Die Mannschaft in October 2011. His international career was hindered due to his back injury that ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup, which Germany won. However, he was a key player for Germany in Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.
Playing Style
As a midfielder, Gündoğan is recognised for his passing skills, vision, and ability to read the game. Equally capable defensively and offensively, he is a versatile player renowned for building up play from the back, and creating goal scoring opportunities. His high work-rate, agility, and technical skills make him a critical asset in midfield.
Achievements
Gündoğan boasts an impressive catalogue of achievements and accolades from his club career, including two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal with Borussia Dortmund. He has also won multiple Premier League titles and other domestic trophies with Manchester City. Individually, he has received several recognitions throughout his career, reflecting his influence and contribution as an outstanding midfielder.
