Guardiola admits he's powerless to stop Man City star he "loves" from leaving
Pep Guardiola has confessed his love for Ilkay Gundogan - but it won’t be enough to keep the German international at Manchester City.
Gundogan, 32, has had another outstanding season for the treble-chasing Blues after being made captain by Guardiola following the departure of Fernandinho last year.
But is out of contact at the end of the season and is already talking to Barcelona about finishing his career at the Nou Camp.
Guardiola avoided the question when he was asked if he would like the player who was his first City signing seven years ago.
But he said: “I love him. I adore him. I'm married, but I adore him!
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“Ilkay is such an important player. Humanity, leading with silence - and yet when he talks everybody listens.
“He is a football player defined perfectly. An attacking midfielder with a sense of goal and assists.
“He is so intelligent in the moment and always in the right position. He can also play as a holding midfielder.
“Ilkay is an exceptional player in all senses.”
Guardiola is a huge fan of Gundogan (PA)Gundogan has won the Premier League four times and has also lifted the Carabao Cup on four occasions as well as the FA Cup.
He arrived from Borussia Dortmund for £30 million in the same summer as Guardiola in 2016.
Gundogan’s last act as a City player could be to lift the club’s first Champions League - if they can navigate a route past Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Guardiola added: “You can't win anything - you can't even dream it - unless you want to do it.
“You talk about Ilkay's experience. That doesn't mean what happened in the past will happen in the future but being there many times helps.”
Manuel Akanji insists he never had any doubts he'd impress at City (AFP via Getty Images)Meanwhile, City defender Manuel Akanji has insisted he didn’t have any doubts that he was good enough to play his part at the Etihad.
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Akanji said: “That is the confidence I have. I joined this club because I was confident that I could play.
“Obviously I didn’t know how it was going to go, but I am really happy.
“I’m not the kind of guy to ask a coach for guarantees, but I knew what I was capable of.
“In the end, it’s the manager’s decision who he puts on the pitch and I try to give my best in every game.”
Akanji ticked all the boxes for Guardiola because of his versatility.
The 27-year-old has played all across the back four - and wouldn’t flinch if the City manager asked him to become the latest defender to bolster his midfield options.
Akanji said: “If the coach needs me in midfield, I am going to play there. I am happy as long as I am on the pitch.
“I think that is how the club does the transfers, by identifying players who can fit in the system and are capable of learning a lot of new things.”
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