Ilkay Gundogan talked about his transfer to Barcelona. He describes his relationship with the new coach Xavi and his decision to join Football Club Barcelona.
“It feels right to come here. It feels right to be part of this incredible club and to have the opportunity to prove myself in a different league, in a different country… Which is gonna be a challenge because I think everything is gonna be new, new teammates, new coach.”
“I had actually a great chat with Robert Lewandowski, just before the summer holiday this year. We played with the German National Team in Poland. I didn’t play, but I still traveled with the team and he asked me to have a quick chat after the game. When he started speaking about Barcelona, the club, the city, the style of life for his family.”
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About Pep and the departure
“I could see his eyes shining you know and the happiness on his face and how much he loves it to be here, to be part of the club. And I didn’t really need him to convince me. I expressed my appreciation towards him, towards what the club has done for me in the last seven years.”
“And of course, he took it in kind of a sad way. But on the other side, I guess this is my interpretation. He was maybe also a little bit happy that I’m joining his childhood club, the club that he loves incredibly much and that he’s proud of.”
“So, he just wished me all the best for the future. And of course, he is gonna watch, you know the games and he’s still a big fan of Barça. So I think that with my experience with what I have lived in the last two years, I can help them. And if it is something on the pitch as well you know, in terms of positioning or quick thinking or balancing out your own game, I will definitely try my best. Whether it’s in a more defensive role or in a more offensive role. It does not really matter. So I’m here to help them.”
The Motivation and the Future
“Of course, I’m very motivated. I think it gives me the opportunity to be a part of the rising again in European Club Football and to be a part of that, I think every footballer wants in the world. And even though in the last years in Europe, maybe behind expectations, I think, especially, with the new coach, you can see that the club is building something. And there is a plan behind everything.”
Gundogan will replace Sergi Busquets in the defensive midfield and will be one of the main men for Xavi’s formation. We will testify his abilities to work in the midfield and also help Barcelona win titles. The first games will be decisive for the player to be adapted and to play regularly in the starting eleven.
