Ilkay Gundogan gave Fantasy Premier League managers a brief taste of his talents last season.
Signing from Borussia Dortmund, he scored five goals in 15 starts in all competitions for Manchester City.
But then a season-ending knee injury struck.
FPL managers should not forget his early impact.
Gundogan scored in his first appearance, a 4-0 home win over AFC Bournemouth in Gameweek 5.
That was followed by two goals, an assist and a pair of bonus points in a 4-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 10.
That 18-point haul at The Hawthorns caught the eye of FPL managers as more than 474,000 brought him in, attracted by his £5.4m price tag.
Gundogan’s all-round displays between Gameweek 5-10 signal his potential for the new season.
Handed the freedom to raid forward from central midfield by head coach Pep Guardiola, he fired 11 shots on goal during that spell.
Eight of those efforts arrived from inside the penalty area, a tally second only to Raheem Sterling (11) in Man City’s midfield.
Gundogan also supplied 11 key passes during that period, with only David Silva (18) providing more.
When he was on the pitch, Gundogan scored or assisted 26.7% of Man City’s Premier League goals last season.
On course to be fit for the start of the 2017/18 campaign, the German could be valued as low as £6.0m, or less.
With many of Guardiola’s attacking options set to remain in the very top FPL price bracket, Gundogan could return to offer unbeatable value.
