Ilkay Gundogan masterclass in new role could solve two Man City problems

If his final day heroics hadn't convinced Manchester City that Ilkay Gundogan deserved a new contract, his post-season form should help.

Gundogan's future has been a subject of discussion for months, as he enters the final year of his contract. The German has expressed a desire to stay, but also a requirement for more regular playing time, with City consistent that talks would take place this summer.

After starting and finishing the brilliant final day comeback versus Aston Villa to hand City the Premier League title, Gundogan has since impressed in two international fixtures in the Nations League. And it was his starring role against England this week that hinted Gundogan could help City solve two problems in one.

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As much of the post-match attention concentrated on the midfield futures of both England and Germany after standout performances from Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala, the steadying presence of Gundogan has largely been taken for granted.

In a deeper role than he is used to at City, and in a double pivot alongside Joshua Kimmich, Gundogan was often the last man back as Germany had possession, keeping the ball moving and starting the attacks from deep. That allowed the likes of Musiala, Kai Havertz and Thomas Muller to attack with confidence, knowing there was protection behind.

In fact, while Gundogan enjoyed fewer touches than any other German midfielder or defender, he boasted the highest passing accuracy of any other player on the pitch — barring Kalvin Phillip's 100 per cent rating from one completed pass before going off injured. His heat map showed most of his involvement in the deep left midfield position,