Ilkay Gundogan admits Manchester City were ‘left behind’ by title rivals Liverpool this season
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that his side were ‘left behind’ by Liverpool in the Premier League title race this season.
City are 25 points adrift of Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp‘s side poised to win the title shortly after the league gets back underway.
Last season City fended off competition from Liverpool to win the title on goal difference, but Gundogan stressed that his team were simply unable to keep up with the Reds this time around.
Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that Manchester City were ‘left behind’ by Liverpool this season
Liverpool are 25 points clear of City and are on the verge of winning the Premier League title
Gundogan told Fanatik: ‘We were left behind in the championship race this season in the Premier League. We couldn’t show an effect like the last two seasons [when] we are champions.
‘Whether we play good football or play good matches, there are points we have simply lost. Liverpool came to this level without losing many points, so we lost a lot of points, so the difference increased.’
Germany international Gundogan, who has Turkish parents, has been hugely impressed by the performances that Caglar Soyuncu has produced for Leicester.
Gundogan suggested that Pep Guardiola should try to sign the Turkish centre-back for City in the summer.
He said: ‘I agree with the general opinion of football fans. Caglar Soyuncu had the best performance in the Premier League this season after Van Dijk.
‘I didn’t know him before. We met when we played against each other. In addition to the Premier League matches, we faced Leicester City in a cup game two years ago.’
Gundogan suggested that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola should sign Caglar Soyuncu
Gundogan also revealed that he has started to talk to Soyuncu regularly.
He said: ‘We became opponents in many matches. We always saw and talked to each other and started getting to know each other.
‘He’s a very good boy. I love him. His understanding of football and character are also very good.
‘His performances for both Leicester and Turkey are good. I hope we see him in better places.
‘The first one that comes to my mind about the Turkish player I want to see at Manchester City is Caglar.’
Soyuncu made the switch to Leicester from Freiburg in 2018 and has produced some excellent performances for the Foxes.
His current contract at Leicester is set to run until the summer of 2023.
