Mateo Kovacic is also reported to have agreed to join Premier League champions Manchester City. Mateo Kovacic has also completed a personal deal with Manchester City but his future will continue after the Champions League final. Mateo Kovacic is expected to be a suitable replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, so I think he will also be good for Manchester City next season.
A few weeks ago, Kovacic was widely reported with Manchester City and he is expected to replace Gundogan if the Manchester City captain really leaves the Etihad Stadium next season. I think Kovacic is a good fit to fill Gundogan's position and with his experience it will be easier for him to work with Pep Guardiola. It seems that Kovacic's career will also increase if he is with Manchester City because it is very unfortunate if the talent he has to return to the same place with Chelsea.
Ilkay Gundogan is getting old now and Kovacic is 3 years younger than him. Also, he has similar characters with Gundogan, so for Manchester City, this means continuing the same tiki-taka football with someone 3 years younger. I'm sure this could be a change Pep wants. Still, in football, I would like team captains to retire in that team. Gundogan can now return to Germany.
Gundogan is in top shape and he is a player who plays a kind of style that is less of a burden to the body. He is similar to Kroos in that regard. I am not saying they are the same , but similar. Their style allows them to play on a high level for longer than others who play very physically. lf I had to make a guess I think that Gundogan could still a play very valuable strategic midfielder role for at least two years and maybe even three or four years. To me it would be no risk at all to give him another contract for a couple of years as he has found his perfect place within the Manchester City squad and he has a high reputation and the respect of the players within the team. Letting him easily leave now would be a mistake.