Guardiola Defends Kevin De Bruyne Amid Injury Speculations: “No Rift, Just Recovery”
Pep Guardiola has firmly dismissed rumors of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne as the midfielder continues his return from a lengthy injury absence. Guardiola took aim at speculation from pundits suggesting a fallout between the pair, emphasizing the importance of De Bruyne to Manchester City’s success.
De Bruyne’s Injury Challenges
The Belgian midfielder has not started a match since suffering an injury in September, which sidelined him for nine weeks. While he has returned to the matchday squad, his appearances have been limited, with none coming before the 68th minute. During City’s clash at Anfield, Liverpool scored their second goal while De Bruyne was preparing to come on, effectively sealing the match.
This lack of game time has fueled speculation from prominent analysts. Micah Richards claimed there was a “rift” between Guardiola and De Bruyne, while Gary Lineker suggested “all’s not well.” Jamie Carragher added that “something is going on,” and Gary Neville described the situation as “bizarre.”
Guardiola Sets the Record Straight
Guardiola addressed the issue unprompted during a press conference, making his stance clear:
“People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin?” he asked, before sarcastically adding:
“‘No, 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 went on to highlight De Bruyne’s immense contribution to City over the years:
“He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club. But he’s been five months injured and two months injured. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best. Like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better.”
No Rush for De Bruyne
Guardiola’s remarks underline the need for patience as the 33-year-old midfielder works his way back to full fitness. Despite speculation, the City manager made it clear that De Bruyne remains a vital part of his plans as the team seeks to rediscover their form and mount a strong challenge for the remainder of the season.
