Midfielder could make shock return to Man City

Goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic earned Manchester City a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. 

The reigning Premier League champions are hoping to win a record fifth consecutive English top flight title this term, and Pep Guardiola’s side got off to the perfect start at Stamford Bridge.

Haaland netted his 91st goal for City in his 100th game for the club, finishing from close range afters some neat footwork.

Former Blues midfielder Kovacic then doubled the advantage late on, carrying the ball past two Chelsea players before firing a shot past Robert Sanchez from 25 yards.

City will look to continue the defence of their title when they face Ipswich Town next weekend, whilst Chelsea travel to Molineux to face Wolves.

In the meantime, it has emerged that a former City player could make a sensational return to The Etihad.

Gundogan captained City to a first ever Champions League triumph in his final game for the club

As per Fabrizio Romano, City have made contact with the representatives of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan about a potential move for the German.

Gundogan departed City at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, having helped the Citizens to a remarkable treble in his final season in England.

In total, the Germany international scored 60 goals and provided 38 assists in 304 games for the Manchester outfit across all competitions, winning no fewer than 14 trophies.

He netted twice in the FA Cup final at the end of the 2022/23 season, before captaining City to a first ever Champions League triumph in his final game for the club.

Gundogan, 33, then departed City to join Spanish side Barcelona and made 51 appearances for the La Liga side across all competitions last term.

Romano claims that Barcelona are hoping to offload Gundogan – who has also attracted interest from clubs in Qatar and Saudi Arabia – before the end of the transfer window.