Silky Ilkay steps up as the unlikely hero Silky Ilkay steps up as the unlikely hero FOOTBALL: When Manchester City’s captain and talisman Kevin de Bruyne was injured in the 2-0 win against Aston Villa last month it was feared that any Premier League title aspirations the club had could be derailed. Wednesday 17 February 2021, 07:45AM Ilkay Gundogan has scored more goals than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues since the turn of the calendar year. Photo: AFP. The Belgian was considered the creative fulcrum of the team, its beating heart who single-handedly orchestrated games. Surely without him they would falter and lose further ground on cross-city rivals United and reigning champions Liverpool?