Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says returning midfielder Ilkay Gundogan could face the Blues at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow having re-signed on a free transfer from Barcelona this morning.

The 33-year-old previously spent seven years at City from 2016 to 2023, winning 12 major trophies.

Guardiola says the move for the German international, only City’s second signing of the summer, wasn’t one he had anticipated happening.

“When managers say anything can happen until the transfer window finishes, Ilkay Gundogan is the real proof,” he said at his pre-match press conference.

“A complete surprise, unexpected, it happened and we know him quite well. Me personally, but the staff, the players, everyone, and the quality that he played last season in Barcelona was a high, high level, consistent, a lot of games.”

“We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility to re-sign him was open, and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s back!”

Guardiola added: “He has not come here to retire, or remember the good memories, now it’s time to get your shoes on, and play your best! The chance to come back to, if we would like it, and we said yes, immediately.”

“I love midfield players, I love Gundogan’s qualities, he gives an incredible alternative in the way we want to play, adapts to two or three roles perfectly. He doesn’t need time to settle. Tomorrow, if he has to play, OK, he knows everything!”

He continued: “If the international papers come through in time Gundogan could be involved tomorrow.”

Having spoken about Gundogan’s return, Guardiola said his main focus is now on Town: “I understand Ilkay is the highlight of today, but since I sat down in this room, Ipswich Town is the only thing I’m concerned about.”

Guardiola’s only other summer signing, Brazilian winger Savinho, who came in from French side Troyes for £33.6 million, is likely to be involved, despite having a knee problem which forced him off during last Saturday’s opening day 2-0 win at Chelsea.

“I don’t think he’s completely, completely top,” he said. “But he made part of training and he’s developing really well. We will see today or tomorrow, what we’re going to do with him.”

However, midfielder Rodri is again expected to be absent: “He’s getting better. Maybe today he’ll make partial training, maybe.

“But still he’s not good. I don’t think so [for Saturday] but we’ll see today. We have training today at 3pm and we’ll see.”

Photo: Matchday Images

cooper4england added 14:08 - Aug 23 With him it might make getting 3 pints more difficult.
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cooper4england added 14:08 - Aug 23 Or points
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rogie_dog added 14:15 - Aug 23 @cooper4england 3 pints definitely won't be an issue :)
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algarvefan added 14:25 - Aug 23 Quite simply bu**er !!
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SWBlue22 added 14:41 - Aug 23 Got a feeling we might need a few more than 3 pints by full time.
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:05 - Aug 23 Having to bring the big gundogens in, we have them worried chaps .
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:06 - Aug 23 Having to bring the big gundogans in, we have them worried chaps .
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blues1 added 17:20 - Aug 23 Let's be honest. Him playing or not, likely won't make much difference to the outcome. Won't make it any easier mind you
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SickParrot added 18:51 - Aug 23 I would rather Gundogan didn't play but at least Rodri isn't. All the pundits are expecting City to win 3 or 4 nil and they are certainly capable of doing that. However, although they won at Chelsea they were no where near their best. I am normally pessimistic but I have a feeling that City may under estimate us and that we could get a point. I have predicted 1 - 1.

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churchmans81 added 19:42 - Aug 23 Whooooo?
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bobble added 09:11 - Aug 24 Bob Dylan reckons "you can go back ,but you cant go back all the way".......
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bobble added 09:14 - Aug 24 Town to win by 1 goal 3_2
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Marcus added 14:05 - Aug 24 @cooper4england - I think we all need at least three pints before today, and after... with champagne on standby, of course
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