Ahead of Manchester City's upcoming Premier League Round 2 clash against Ipswich on Saturday night, manager Pep Guardiola discussed Gündogan's return, the state of the squad and future reinforcement plans at length in a press conference.
On the unexpected return of Gündoğan, Guardiola said it was completely unexpected, but the team is very happy about it. He emphasized Gündoğan's solid performance at Barcelona last season and his excellent play in the Europa League, believing that he is a much-needed immediate force for the team. Guardiola revealed that he believes Gündoğan will be able to quickly integrate and instantly contribute to the team due to his familiarity with City, his teammates and the team's tactical system. However, Guardiola had reservations about whether Gündoğan would rejoin the team's captaincy panel, saying that this needs to be further observed.
Speaking about the process of signing back Gündoğan, Guardiola bluntly stated that the team would not hesitate to take Gündoğan back to Manchester City as long as he has the opportunity to do so. He emphasized that the purpose of Gündoğan's return is to continue to play football and contribute to the team, not to retire or reminisce about the past. Meanwhile, Guardiola also reminded the media and fans that although Gündoğan is the focus of the day, the team's main concern at the moment is the upcoming Ipswich match.
Apart from Gündoğan, Guardiola also spoke about the health of other players in the squad. He revealed that Savinho's injury has improved but is not yet fully back to his best, while Rodri, although improving, may not be able to make it to the weekend's game. As for Gündoğan himself, Guardiola said that he could potentially make his debut in tomorrow's game if the international papers are delivered in time.
In terms of reinforcements, Guardiola said that the current squad is quite complete and he doesn't think there will be any new reinforcement moves before the transfer window closes. He emphasized City's strength and heritage as a top club, saying that the players already have everything they need to perform at the highest level. Of course, he also said that the team will also consider making reinforcements if unexpected and suitable opportunities arise in the market.
Finally, Guardiola re-emphasized the importance of the team for the upcoming Ipswich match. He said that the team is fully prepared and will go all out for the victory. At the same time, he also thanked the media and fans for their support and attention, and looked forward to delivering a great performance for the fans in the match.
