İlkay Gündoğan Scout Report
At 33, İlkay Gündoğan is an established central figure for Barcelona in La Liga, demonstrating remarkable versatility through playing roles in the defensive to attacking midfield. Gündoğan's impressive capacity for chance creation sets him apart from other midfielders in the league. His eminent skills in ball retention and progressive carrying contribute to his frequent touches, indicating his significant role in his team's game plan and possession.
However, where he truly excels is his perceptive eye for assists. Gündoğan's exceedingly positive performance for expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes highlights an unrivalled vision on the field, where his calculated passes often create clear shot opportunities for his team. His goal threat is also high, proving himself a dual threat with an ability to score when the opportunity is presented. The player's progressive passing, successful dribbles, and considerable presence in the attacking third make him a daunting player to defend against.
Notwithstanding these strengths, not all aspects of Gündoğan's play are of the same high caliber. Although his goal efficiency and defensive metrics, notably in duels, shot interceptions, and ball recovery, are not glaring weaknesses, they do present areas for improvement. His low percentile rating for aerial duels is an evident flaw, expose him to challenges while playing against taller and aerially superior opponents. He also tends to commit few fouls, but this might suggest a less aggressive style of play, which may not be effective always.
Gündoğan's frequent touches in the midfield third and his participation in the attacking penalty area reflect his core positioning on the pitch. His defensive activity is lesser compared to other areas, painting him as an upfront orchestrator for Barcelona in the La Liga. Overall, Gündoğan is a central figure, critical in creating scoring opportunities while his impressive goal threat adds to his valuable contribution to the team. However, with some fine-tuning in defensive skills and tactical aggression, he could challenge his potential even further.
