Premier League: Manchester City 1-0 Leicester City - 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#3. Ilkay Gundogan: Manchester City’s unsung hero

Gundogan was superb in midfield

Before the start of the 2018-19 season, City were fervently searching for a defensive midfielder who could help ease the burden on Fernandinho and act as an able deputy for the Brazilian. However, they failed to bring anyone on board with Jorginho famously ditching the Sky Blues in favour of Chelsea.

Thus, many believed the Cityzens’ title challenge hinged upon Fernandinho’s ability to stay fit and start as many games as possible.

Yet, as the season has entered its home stretch, City has been able to rely on a German earlier considered to be too gung-ho as a defensive midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan.

The midfielder has been superb in the Brazilian’s absence and has provided City with the required impetus and tactical nous in midfield. Though Gundogan isn’t as effective defensively, he has more than offset his deficiencies by playing the deep-lying playmaker role to perfection.

Against Leicester, the German racked up 86 passes at an incredible accuracy rate of 90.7%. He also made 2 key passes through the course of the game and dictated the tempo.

For a major chunk of the season, many opined that an injury to Fernandinho would derail City’s title challenge. Yet, with Gundogan in the mix, the Cityzens haven’t batted an eyelid and they are now just a solitary win away from glory.

While the German might not be the poster boy of their potential title winning parade, he certainly has been one of the most vital components of this City side in 2019.