Ilkay Gundogan becomes third Manchester City player to test positive for COVID-19

Less than twelve hours before the first game of their brand new 2020/21 Premier League season, Manchester City have confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan has tested positive for the coronavirus. The midfielder will miss the clash against Wolves on Monday and is set to follow quarantine protocols to help contain the spread of the virus. It makes the midfielder the third case that the Cityzens have had this month following Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez’s positive tests.

However, while the Algerian is in contention to play for City on Monday, Laporte is out having only just returned to first-team training. This provides Pep Guardiola with an incredible selection dilemma with the Spaniard also missing Sergio Aguero who is still recovering from a knee injury. City confirmed Gundogan’s positive test and revealed that the German is now self-isolating for the next ten days which could see him miss three games including the club's Premier League opener.

"Manchester City can confirm that Ilkay Gundogan has tested positive for Covid-19. Ilkay is now observing a 10-day period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Everyone at the club wishes Ilkay a speedy recovery,” read City’s statement on their website.