Pep Guardiola pinpointed Ilkay Gundogan as the Manchester City midfielder who rarely gets the credit he deserves.
And the Blues boss even picked the Germany international out as the man who made the difference in last year’s tight title race with Liverpool.
Gundogan bounced back from a below-par showing at Norwich which drew criticism from many City fans, to mastermind an excellent Champions League win at Shakhtar Donetsk.
But while many City supporters adore Kevin De Bruyne , David Silva , Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho , they blow hot and cold on Gundogan.
Asked if Gundogan fails to get the credit he deserves, Guardiola replied: "Definitely but he gets the credit from all of us, not just myself.
"He’s an exceptional player. Also he knows how good he has to play, as there are many others in that position.
"We have problems at centre back but we have good players in other positions. I’m satisfied with his performance today and ever since we’v been here together."
But it as last season, when Fernandinho was hit by a knee injury as the title race with Liverpool reached a climax that Gundogan showed his worth, when he stepped into the defensive role - one in which he has never truly see himself as a natural.
"People are starting to look at what he’s done," added the Spaniard. "Without him last season when Fernanindho was out we couldn’t have won the Premier League in the way we did. He can play in two or three different positions and against Shakhtar he made an outstanding performance.”
