Is there value in Manchester City keeping Ilkay Gundogan for next season?

This summer will see a host of Manchester City’s heroes and legends depart. Kevin De Bruyne has already announced that this will be his final season at the club. Question marks also surround a host of other City stalwarts and their futures at the club. One player who could also fall into that category is Ilkay Gundogan. Pep Guardiola has revealed that Gundogan has triggered a one-year contract extension for next season. Looking at the situation with Gundogan is there merit to the idea of Manchester City keeping Gundogan for next season? Based on his recent performances there is, and based on his leadership and ability to still perform for his team.

Speaking after his team’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace Pep Guardiola revealed that Gundogan has triggered an extension to his current contract. Furthermore, Guardiola revealed that he is unsure what the future holds for the German midfielder. In quotes relayed by CityXtra Guardiola explained: “He has one more year contract, definitely. What’s going to happen (in the summer), I don’t know, but he has one more year contract now. The Gundo from Leicester, the Gundo from Bournemouth, the Gundo from today (vs Crystal Palace) is the Gundo I remember, when we won the Treble and Quadruple and an important player.”

There is value in Manchester City keeping Ilkay Gundogan, as they can’t lose all of their experienced players.

What Manchester City can’t do this summer is lose all of their experienced players. That will create a leadership void in Pep Guardiola’s squad. While the club will rebuild the City squad this summer they will have to be cautious with how many experienced players they let go. We already know that Kevin De Bruyne is going to depart the club at the end of the season. That’s one sizable void that must be filled in the summer transfer window. Question marks surround the futures of Bernardo Silva, John Stones and potentially more of City’s experienced players.

But in the case of Ilkay Gundogan, he can have a role to play next season. As Pep Guardiola pointed out he has played better in recent weeks. He is also a player who knows the intricacies of Manchester City’s play inside and out. There is value in keeping Gundogan as a squad player and pseudo-coach. He shouldn’t be expected to be a first-team regular next season but his experience and knowledge could be a vital conduit between Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s new signings.

So on closer inspection, there is value in Manchester City keeping Ilkay Gundogan at the club for next season. There is a role for him in City’s rebuild. His future is now just one of several stories to watch for this summer. But come the start of next season it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gundogan remain a part of Pep Guardiola’s squad based on what he can provide both on and off the pitch.