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Manchester City: Preseason squad rankings

By Tom Bogert

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Kevin De Bruyne of Man City celebrates scoring the winning goal with his team mates Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Fernando and Fernandinho during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on April 12, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Kevin De Bruyne of Man City celebrates scoring the winning goal with his team mates Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Fernando and Fernandinho during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on April 12, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan arrives to meet members of the media at the City Football Academy in Manchester, north west England on July 3, 2016.llkay Gundogan is the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era. The 25-year-old German midfielder moved from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract. Gundogan has won 16 caps for Germany, scoring four goals, but is ruled out of the European Championship finals with a knee injury./ AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan arrives to meet members of the media at the City Football Academy in Manchester, north west England on July 3, 2016.llkay Gundogan is the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era. The 25-year-old German midfielder moved from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract. Gundogan has won 16 caps for Germany, scoring four goals, but is ruled out of the European Championship finals with a knee injury./ AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) /

6. Ilkay Gundogan

What a signing this is for City, even with his injury problems. He’ll provide copious amounts of chances for the midfielders and strikers ahead of him while personifying the classy play in the middle third that Guardiola needs pushing his side forward. He can be the creative engine from deep.

Gundogan is the first signing of the Guardiola era at Manchester City after missing hefty time for Dortmund the past two seasons. The season before last, he missed the entire campaign. He returned this season, then picked up a new injury this May after making 22 appearances in the Bundesliga. The midfielder claims he’ll be available for selection by September, but players always promise earlier than reasonable.

City will be delicate with a player who has been out for so long. The 25-year-old would have figured to feature heavily for Germany this season had he been fit.

But when he’s fit, he’ll be in the team and an important player. He’ll be next to Fernandinho or Yaya Toure in the midfield usually and he’s elastic enough to perform next to either one.

Injuries may be the biggest opponent to City’s chances this season. With so many great managers and teams in the league this year, one or two key injuries can completely derail a season. Aguero is notoriously injury plagued, like Vincent Kompany, as is Gundogan, but if they’re able to play three-quarters of the season, they’re going to be fantastic.

Next: 5. Yaya Toure

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