Man City have two standout options to replace Ilkay Gundogan as captain

Every year since Pep Guardiola has been at Manchester City, a club legend has departed.

In 2017 it was Pablo Zabaleta, in 2018 it was Yaya Toure. Vincent Kompany left on a high in 2019, and David Silva returned home a year later. Sergio Aguero was out of contract in 2021, before Fernandinho went back to Brazil last year. 2023 is the year that Ilkay Gundogan leaves the Etihad, with his final act being to lift the Champions League trophy.

City know how to say goodbye properly to their legends, and they also know how to replace them. It might take a year or two - as it did in the case of Kompany and Aguero, but City will undoubtedly find someone able to fill the huge gaps left by those stellar names.

Mateo Kovacic is the immediate replacement for Gundogan, and Guardiola has hinted at others who can move into midfield such as John Stones and Phil Foden. What will be harder to replace when Gundogan leaves will be his leadership.

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The process for choosing a successor to Gundogan for the captaincy will remain the same. The players and staff will vote, Pep Guardiola won't, and the new captain will be chosen, as will a new member of the five-strong captain's group.

David Silva replaced Kompany in 2019, Fernandinho replaced Silva, and Gundogan replaced Fernandinho. In each case, the eldest, most experienced player took on the armband. Each of those players weren't necessarily outspoken leaders like Kompany, but more players who led by example and chose the right time to say something. When they spoke, everyone listened.

If the dressing room want a similar figure, then the obvious candidate would be Kevin De Bruyne. He is the longest-serving