Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points in Matchweek 18.
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Ilkay Gundogan has scored the opening goal in three of Manchester City’s last four Premier League matches and will again be a key man against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The German is a box-to-box midfielder who consistently improves Pep Guardiola’s side.
He is always at the heart of the build-up play, averaging 85.6 passes per 90 minutes.
But it is his goal threat that sets him apart from some of Guardiola’s other central midfield options.
Perfect timing
Gundogan’s understanding of the game and appreciation of space means he times his forward runs brilliantly.
The 30-year-old only averages 1.72 touches inside the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes, but he knows how to make them count.
Across his last four Premier League starts, seven of his nine touches in the 18-yard box have been shots on goal.
Three of those attempts have found the net, underlining his efficiency.
Gundogan in last four starts
| Opponent | Touches in box | Shots in box | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| SOU | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| NEW | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| CHE | 4 | 3 | 1 |
When opponents defend with a low block, Gundogan is very useful.
In the victories over West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, he scored when running on to passes that were cut back by Raheem Sterling.
Whenever Man City get the ball to the byline, they need bodies to fill the box, and Gundogan is terrific at sensing the right areas to run into.
Guardiola has used Kevin De Bruyne, Ferran Torres and Riyad Mahrez as floating “false nines” in recent matches, and that tactic also suits Gundogan.
We saw this last time out at Chelsea as he roamed into the striker’s position that De Bruyne had temporarily vacated, scoring the opener in the 3-1 win.
Gundogan scores in win at Chelsea
Going into Matchweek 18, Gundogan is statistically the most clinical finisher in Man City’s squad.
Of all their players who have attempted more than two shots, his 27.3 per cent conversion rate is the highest.
Furthermore, Mahrez (193 mins) and Phil Foden (197) are the only Man City players with a better minutes-per-goal record.
How Gundogan compares
| Gundogan | Man City rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion % | 27.3 | 1st |
| Mins/goal | 244.7 | 3rd |
| Mins/key pass | 56.5 | 4th |
With specialist strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus struggling to stay fit and available this season, Gundogan’s ability to chip in with goals has been priceless.
If Brighton do not track him diligently at the Etihad Stadium, he is more than capable of extending his hot streak in front of goal.
Also in this series
Part 1: Can Palace settle on a defence to frustrate Arsenal?
Part 2: Rodriguez return can boost Everton attack
Part 3: In-form Pope stands in the way of Man Utd
