Guardiola Dismisses De Bruyne Rift Rumors, Stresses Desire for Midfielder’s Return to Full Fitness
Guardiola Dismisses De Bruyne Rift Rumors, Stresses Desire for Midfielder’s Return to Full Fitness
- Pep Guardiola has denied rumors of a rift with star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne
- De Bruyne's fitness struggles have been ongoing
- Guardiola acknowledged De Bruyne's age and injury history, saying, "I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has denied rumors of a rift with star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, emphasizing that he is “desperate” to see the Belgian return to his best form.
De Bruyne, who has struggled with injuries this season, has started only four Premier League matches.
After recovering from an eight-week absence due to an abdominal issue, he has played just 72 minutes across five substitute appearances. In the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, De Bruyne was brought on with just 12 minutes remaining, during which he had the visitors’ best chance but was denied by Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Following the match, pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville questioned Guardiola’s use of De Bruyne amid a run of poor results, including six defeats and a draw in seven games.
Carragher suggested there was an issue between the two, while Neville described Guardiola’s treatment of De Bruyne as “unusual” and “strange.”
In response, Guardiola addressed the situation ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, denying any conflict with the playmaker. “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin,” Guardiola said. “Do you think I like not to 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?”
Guardiola continued, highlighting De Bruyne’s contributions to the club’s success: “He’s delivered 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.”
De Bruyne’s fitness struggles have been ongoing. He was sidelined for several months last season due to a recurring hamstring injury, which also forced him out of the first half of the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan.
With his contract expiring next summer, De Bruyne has confirmed that contract extension talks have yet to take place, as he focuses on regaining full fitness.
Guardiola acknowledged De Bruyne’s age and injury history, saying, “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 anymore. 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.”
The manager 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, and he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have.”
