Manchester City star playmaker Ilkay Gundogan has urged players to speak their minds.
The Germany international believes the relationship between players and the media has become too predictable in recent years.
Gundogan told the German outlet DAZN that players need to step away from being a closed book and responded to interview with ‘pre-programmed’ answers.
The 27-year-old’s comments come off the back of Per Mertesaker’s interview where he admitted to feeling sick by the pressure of having to deliver at the very highest level.
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“I didn’t read the whole interview [with Mertesacker] but his statements are not bad. Quite the contrary, it’s great that he can handle it so openly. Many probably cannot,” Gundogan told DAZN when asked about Per Mertesaker’s interview.
“I have no problem with answering questions honestly or even looking outside the box and answering private questions.
“It’s bad if you disguise yourself, I honestly cannot see it anymore when you’re after the game, always asked the same questions and give pre-programmed answers.
“I do not know if there is a solution for that. I don’t know if you can, want or should change it. But sometimes I just wish for a little more.
“I don’t know if that must necessarily be other topics, but somehow these interviews seem not posed but pre-programmed and predictable. I cannot imagine anyone sitting at home looking at this being able to extract something new from it. At least I am not, and I’ve already seen such interviews many times and I’ve already given such interviews.
“I think both sides [footballers and media] have to change.”
Gundogan joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for £20 million back in 2016.
The Germany international played a major role in Manchester City’s title win this season despite spending the majority of last season on the sidelines due to a knee injury.
Gundogan started for Pep Guardiola’s side during their 5-0 win over Swansea City on Sunday.
