Ilkay Gundogan is filling the void left by David Silva

At a club as all-conquering as Manchester City, there are always going to be one or two super talented players lost in the shuffle. In recent years, one such player has been Ilkay Gundogan.

Not that Gundogan has failed to play his part in a team that has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and three Carabao Cups over the past three-and-a-half seasons. It is just that when reeling off the names that make Pep Guardiola's side tick, his would be unlikely to be anywhere near the top of your list.

This season that has changed, with the German elevating his performances to become one of his side's most pivotal players.

Prior to the current campaign, Gundogan had never managed more than six goals in a league season. In his most recent outing against West Brom, he equalled and then surpassed that number with a superbly taken brace.

HIs first goal provided an insight into his increased appetite to score this season. Spotting a parting in the Baggies defence, he darted behind Semi Ajayi and was found by Joao Cancelo's pinpoint, lofted pass. Gundogan's first touch was excellent, giving him ample time to compose himself and place his shot well beyond the reach of the in-form Sam Johnstone.

For most players, a finish of this quality would be a shoo-in for their personal goal of the season. However, in Gundogan's case, the strike barely scrapes into his top three this campaign. In his side's 3-1 win over Chelsea, he opened the scoring in beautiful fashion, completing a clever turn on the edge of the box that left Thiago Silva for dead before firing a low shot past Edouard Mendy.

His penchant for the spectacular was also present when City dazzled against Crystal Palace earlier this month. While the majority of the headlines focused on a resurgent John Stones bagging a brace, Gundogan's goal was a thing a beauty. Struck firmly into top corner after he had scrapped to win the ball from a corner, it provided a not so subtle reminder of just how much quality the midfielder possesses.

Perhaps what has been even more impressive than these moments of individual quality are the perfectly timed runs Gundogan has been making into the box this season. Goals against West Brom and Newcastle both came as a direct result of his clever movement and repaid Guardiola's faith in him.

In more recent weeks, Gundogan has been afforded more freedom to push forward and drift between the lines when City have possession - much like David Silva used to do before his summer departure. In the past, he has largely been used as a one sized fits all replacement for those ahead of him in the City pecking order. Now, he finally seems to be carving out his own niche as an intelligent goalscorer.

His influence as a creator has also grown. Last season he averaged 3.34 shot creating actions per 90 minutes. This term he has increased this to 3.82. His increased impact is something that has been mentioned by Guardiola on several occasions.

"Ilkay is an incredible player and he is an incredible human first of all," he told the club website back in December. "We put him close to Ferran (against Newcastle) - more forward - and he has the personality to play."

The praise kept on coming after the Baggies win as well with Guardiola saying: "Gundo is a guy who has an incredible sense of goal.

"It is not just knowing the right time to arrive at the box, it is the right second. This is the most difficult thing - not to arrive one metre before, or one metre later, but at exactly the right time, and Gundo has this sense. And it's not just that - with his finishing too he has this way to control the ball, slow down and take a second to compose himself and see what happens, and be clinical."

These are not empty words either. Guardiola has also backed his new talisman in his actions, substituting him when on a hat trick against West Brom in order to keep him fresh for the games to come.

After several seasons operating efficiently in the shadows, Gundogan is finally carving out a niche for himself at City in spectacular fashion. If he carries on at this rate, do not be surprised if he is named the club's player of year at the end of the campaign.