Ilkay Gundogan named as Premier League Player of the Month for January

Pep Guardiola also scoops managerial award as Blues win nine in a row during calendar month

Ilkay Gundogan has been named as the Premier League Player of the Month for January, after an impressive run of form that saw him score five goals in six league games.

The Blues notched up nine wins in total during the month, which also saw Pep Guardiola named as the Manager of the Month.

Gundogan has thrived in a more advanced role since an injury to Kevin De Bruyne ruled the Belgian midfielder out, but was typically modest when receiving the award.

“The highlight of January was all month because we won all of our games,” he said. “I think it was the run and the feeling that I had inside of myself that you are so strong as a team at the moment and not just yourself. That is just an amazing feeling.

“I had that feeling a few times in the season where we had 100 points or the season after when we won the league one point ahead of Liverpool or when I played for Dortmund. You have that feeling sometimes when you feel so strong and unbeatable and that was the best moment that I had throughout the month.”

“I am very happy, but it is always a team effort. I have always been someone who does not pay a lot of attention to individual trophies but it is always nice to be recognised," he said. “I don’t know what the secret was to getting there, I just think it is the support I get from my teammates and all of the people around the team and the club.

“I don’t take it for granted. I will try to continue like that and maybe even do better.”