Ex-Man City skipper Ilkay Gundogan snaps back at reporter: "Why should I?"

Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan left the Etihad Stadium for the second time last summer in a switch to Galatasaray but despite a promising debut season, things have gone awry

Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has fired a subtle dig at Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk and asked "why should I be ready". The German midfielder moved to the Turkish giants last summer following his return to the Etihad.

Gundogan, now 35, had re-signed for the Premier League club following a season with Barcelona. And despite a promising debut campaign with Galatasaray in which he made 38 appearances in all competitions, things have not quite gone to plan this term.

The veteran midfielder has been afforded just 11 minutes of action all season and has been named as an unused substitute in the club’s last six games.

And it appears that he is not particularly positive about his chances of playing against former side Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek either.

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Asked by reporters if he was ready, he replied: “I'm not playing – so why should I be ready?”

Gundogan’s comments come just months after he admitted that his switch to Galatasaray was a boyhood dream. Speaking in February, he said: “I achieved one of my biggest childhood dreams because I grew up watching a certain team, that football club, idolising the players that play for the club, growing up with all the memories connected to the club.

“Obviously, when you get a bit older and start playing football yourself, and maybe at a certain level, you kind of imagine maybe and dream about [playing] one day for that team and for that club.

“And, now, wearing that shirt, playing in that stadium in front of these amazing fans in such a great competition also like the Champions League, it's maybe not even something that I dreamt about when I was young because it was so, so far away and maybe so not realistic.”

Gundogan’s contract with the Turkish giants is set to expire next summer and he admitted this year that he would be open to returning to another of his former clubs.

"I still have a very close connection to Nuremberg because the club means a lot to me," Gundogan told Sky Germany. "I'm very grateful to the club and the city. I can definitely imagine returning one day, in whatever role that may be.

"Whether it's for one or two years as a player, or later as a sporting director or coach, everything is possible."

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