The key role of Pedri and Dani Olmo in Gündogan's possible goodbye

Would FC Barcelona suffer the departure of İlkay Gündoğan this summer? Probably yes, as the impact that a player like the German can have in the final phase of the field is evident, thanks to his inventiveness and excellent technical quality that allow him to be differential in providing the final pass and supplying assists to his teammates. It is no coincidence that last season he led in assists in the culé squad with 14 goals.

However, the current situation of 'Gündo' could be very different this 2024/25 season. Why? Although it was mentioned that the Gelsenkirchen player could be one of the fixed players in Hansi Flick's scheme, who knows him from his time in the German national team, since the '22' could fit perfectly in the playmaker position in the 4-2-3-1 scheme, that spot on the field could have other owners.

At this point, it is important to note that if Pedri González is in full physical form, he will probably be the one to occupy that position. The Tegueste player has proved to be a key piece with his vision of the game, creativity, and ability to control the rhythm of the game, making it clear that he can lead the Barcelona offensive. He evidenced it against Valencia CF (1-2) in the debut in LaLiga EA Sports 24/25 of Barça, where after entering the field he quickly changed the course of the match.

What role do Pedri and Dani Olmo play in İlkay Gündoğan's possible departure this summer?

If the culé '8' manages to stay healthy and maintain this pace of play regularly, it would not be surprising if he could significantly reduce İlkay Gündoğan's playing time. Although Pedri is his direct competitor, behind him is also Dani Olmo, an acquisition of this summer market.

Although the Terrassa player can play on the wings, his main area of influence is as a '10', suggesting that both could be competing for that position on the field. Also, Fermín López also stands out in that position behind the forward, allowing him to move to the opponent's field in dangerous areas.

With this in mind, it would not be surprising to consider a possible departure of İlkay Gündoğan in this summer market, as in the Barcelona squad they believe they could obtain between 20 and 30 million euros for him. Let's remember that he arrived at the club at no cost and his salary is around 9 million euros net per season, a significant amount for a player apparently destined for a secondary role in the squad.