Have Man City Found The Perfect Ilkay Gundogan Replacement?

Without Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City might not have won an historic Treble last season. The German scored a number of crucial goals for Pep Guardiola’s team as they swept aside all in front of them in the Premier
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League, Champions League and FA Cup. Just weeks after City got their hands on a third trophy, though, Gundogan was gone.

The 32-year-old signed for Barcelona after the expiration of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, leaving a sizeable hole in the City midfield. Guardiola has other options, like Phil Foden most notably, but the Treble winners could still enter the transfer market this summer to find a replacement for Gundogan.

Gabri Veiga is an option. The Celta Vigo youngster enjoyed a breakout season in La Liga last season, scoring 11 goals and contributing four assists to help keep the Balaidos outfit in the division. Manchester City have been mentioned as suitors of Veiga and it’s easy to see why they would be interested in the 21-year-old.

Likened to Andres Iniesta, Veiga has a bright future ahead of him. The 21-year-old is expected to make his senior debut for Spain sooner rather than later with Barcelona believed to be monitoring him. Technically, Veiga has the ability to play for Barca or a Guardiola team and looks ready to take the next step in his career.

Last season, Veiga was used in an advanced role. It was his job to create and score goals in the attacking third of the pitch and this is where Manchester City need a replacement for Gundogan. However, some expect Veiga’s future to be in a slightly deeper role where he can dictate possession play more effectively.

“I told him that if you play as a No 10 you will become a very good player,” former Celta Vigo manager Carlos Carvalhal explained when asked about Veiga’s position. “But if you play as a second midfielder and are able to keep doing this with goals and assists you are probably unique in the world in the way that you move.”

As a deeper lying midfielder, Veiga could still be a very useful signing for Manchester City. Kevin de Bruyne and Gundogan often drop deep into the central unit to drive the ball forward, but the latter is now at Barcelona and the former is into his 30s. City must have a succession plan for all areas of their midfield.

If Veiga doesn’t sign for Manchester City this summer, he will likely sign for another elite level club and that could be enough to push the Treble winners to sign the Spaniard. They can’t miss out on one of the most exciting midfielders in the European game right now. He could be the player Guardiola needs.