Guardiola Dismisses Speculation of Disagreement with De Bruyne

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refuted claims of a disagreement with key midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, stating his strong desire for the Belgian player to regain his top form. Kevin de Bruyne has secured six Premier League titles with Manchester City since his arrival in 2015. De Bruyne’s current season has been significantly impacted by injuries, resulting in him starting only four Premier League matches. Since his return last month from an eight-week absence due to an abdominal issue, he has played a total of just 72 minutes across five substitute appearances. On Sunday at Anfield, Guardiola brought De Bruyne into the match against Liverpool, which ended in a 2-0 defeat, with only 12 minutes remaining. Despite his limited time on the field, De Bruyne still created the best opportunity for the visiting side, which was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher. Following the game, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both expressed doubts regarding Guardiola’s decision-making concerning De Bruyne’s playing time, especially during a period where the team recorded six defeats and one draw in seven matches. Carragher commented: “Something is going on with De Bruyne. Something isn’t right between those two.” Neville concurred, describing Guardiola’s management of the playmaker as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, without directly referencing the two pundits, affirmed before the Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest that no issues existed with De Bruyne. “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin,” he stated. “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 continued: “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.” Last season, De Bruyne was absent from August until early January due to a recurrence of a hamstring issue, which had previously forced his substitution in the first half of the 2023 Champions League final victory against Inter Milan. His current contract is set to expire next summer, and De Bruyne has confirmed that discussions regarding an extension have not yet commenced, as his primary focus remains on his return to full fitness. Guardiola stated: “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.” He added: “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.”