Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed claims that there are any issues between him and Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian was left on the bench for the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at the weekend, prompting speculation that there had been a falling out. However, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola set the record straight:
“People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin [De Bruyne] Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club.”
“I’m desperate to have his best. But he’s been five months injured and two months injured. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best. I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27. He would love it too. But he is not 26 or 27 any more. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones, and he is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. It’s normal, it’s nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons. I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have.”
Lazy punditry led to claims about a “rift” between the two key City figures
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on Sunday, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards suggested that there seemed to be “some sort of rift going on” between Guardiola and De Bruyne.
However, if Richards (and the other pundits who had spoken about De Bruyne’s situation) had listened to Guardiola speak about the midfielder in recent weeks, they would know why he is not playing.
De Bruyne has not managed to fully shake off a groin problem that he sustained in the Champions League fixture against Inter Milan back in September.
Will De Bruyne start against Nottingham Forest?
Based on Guardiola’s remarks, there is no guarantee that the 33-year-old will be in the starting lineup tonight. It’s clear that the manager is not convinced about his physical fitness.
If City are to get their season back on track, though, they will be hoping that De Bruyne is firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
