Gundogan proving Klopp wrong amid crucial role in Man City’s title charge

Jurgen Klopp always saw Ilkay Gundogan as a defensive midfielder – not a No 10 – a former coach has revealed.

The Manchester City star is enjoying the most prolific period of his career this season.

Gundogan has been a leading light for the Premier League leaders, scoring 10 times since Boxing Day.

He seamlessly stepped in to the void left by the injured Kevin De Bruyne recently which underlined his quality in the final third.

Gundogan moved to City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.

There he played under Jurgen Klopp who deployed him at the base of midfield.

But Michael Oenning, who saw a young Gundogan burst onto the scene at Nuremberg, always saw him as a No 10 and often argued with Klopp about where he was best suited.

He told Goal : "After the first training session at Bochum, I spoke with Ilkay and said to him: 'You will be a professional footballer!'

"He was a little bit shy and he was laughing, but I could see the fire in his eyes. I had no doubts that he would reach his aims.

"For me, Ilkay is and was a No.10. I often argued with Jurgen Klopp about his best position, but he made him into one of the best defensive midfielders."

He went on to say: "From the first moment, we had a special relationship.

"I trusted him 100 per cent and he understands immediately what I want from him on the pitch.

"He feels totally free and he learns very quickly. I think he would like to hear that he is a mixture of Xavi and Iniesta, two players he loves most.

"Ilkay has this instinct for football that you can’t learn."

Gundogan recently scored twice against Klopp's Liverpool playing as a No 10 for City.

But despite his status as the club's current star man he conceded that he isn't one to enjoy the limelight.

He told  CBS Sports. "To be honest, I'm not enjoying (the attention) too much.

"It's nice to be recognised, to see people talk mostly in a good way about you, but of course I know how quickly that can turn around.

"It can get lost or you can get criticised if you don't score for a couple of games."

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