Page 60 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

One on One ILKAY GUNDOGAN
‘I have played in
both Germany
and England so
Spain felt like the
next step.’
İLKAY GÜNDOĞAN
ONE ON ONE
BY THOMAS UNSWORTH
German player Ilkay Gundogan (R) poses next to FC Barcelona’s Chairman, Joan Laporta
BARCELONA HAVE WANTED YOU FOR SOME TIME NOW. WHEN DID YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION?
I didn’t totally make the decision until after I
had played the Champions League final with Manchester City. It was such an important game that I knew I had to be totally focussed. After we won the final, I had time to start to think about my future and that is when I decided.
APART FROM BARCELONA BEING ONE OF THE GREATEST CLUBS IN EUROPE - WHAT ELSE HELPED YOU DECIDE ON THE MOVE?
The chance to play in a league I have never played in before. I have played in both Germany and England so Spain felt like the next step. Of course, the chance to play under Xavi who is truly one of the great players of all time as well.
BARCELONA ARE ALWAYS EXPECTED TO CHALLENGE FOR BOTH LA LIGA AND THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. WHICH ONE IS THE PRIORITY THIS SEASON?
The answer has to be both. We want to build
on the achievement the team had in the
league last season as well - but of course The Champions League is always important for this club. I have just won one and I hope to win more here with Barcelona.
YOU HAVE PLAYED AS BOTH A DEFENSIVE
AND ATTACKING MIDFIELD PLAYER FOR MANCHESTER CITY. WHERE WOULD YOU PREFER TO PLAY FOR BARCELONA?
Wherever the coach wants to play me I am ready - because I know I am able to do both. It is true that in maybe the last two seasons I have had more of a box to box role which has meant scoring goals which has been a lot of fun. For me it has always been a question of what you can do and how you can help the team from your position.
BARCELONA HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE YOUNG MIDFIELD PLAYERS. HOW MUCH CAN YOU HELP THEM?
It is true Gavi, Pedri, and De Jong are all such talented young midfield players. I hope that
my experience can help them improve - that is something I am excited to see.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 15 YEARS THAT BARCELONA START A SEASON WITHOUT THE OPTION OF SERGIO BUSQUETS IN MIDFIELD. HOW BIG OF A LOSS WILL HE BE?
He has been such an important player to all their success - and not only is he a wonderful player but also a big character. He will be missed - but when such important players move on it gives other players a chance to step up and I hope that will happen.
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