Man City have finally solved biggest issue with £78m experiment and Phil Foden surprise
Ilkay Gundogan's final goals for Manchester City were two of his most important.
After watching a defensive header drop out of the sky just 10 seconds in, Gundogan struck the sweetest of volleys to stun Wembley and send half of the stadium into delirium. It was a cup final record that will surely never be beaten and continued Gundogan's brilliant form during the run-in having scored a series of pivotal goals to help win the Premier League title.
Gundogan's last goal for City would be the winner in the final. Lurking on the edge of the area, Gundogan netted his second volley of the afternoon to seal the cup for City. Had he not scored his earlier effort, this one would be one of the most memorable cup final goals. He would lift the Champions League trophy a week later in his last game, and then depart Manchester having not got the assurances he wanted over a new contract.
ALSO READ: Man City could net £20m transfer windfall just 24 hours after FA Cup final
ALSO READ: Man City get twist in Pep Guardiola succession plan with Vincent Kompany agreement
In hindsight, City should have pushed the boat out more to keep Gundogan, but left it too late to offer a two year deal. Instead, they signed Mateo Kovacic for £25m early in the transfer window, and later added Matheus Nunes for £53m.
Kovacic started the season with a string of games but took some time to adapt to Pep Guardiola's system. The midfield was disjointed in the early part of the campaign, and the lack of rhythm was highlighted brutally when Rodri was suspended for three games and then a further match in the Autumn. City lost all four games.
Had Gundogan still been at the club, he could have dropped back into the Rodri role, but Kovacic needed help, Nunes was raw,