Manchester City: Pep Guardiola rejects Kevin de Bruyne rift rumours
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has dismissed rumors of a rift with star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and said he is “desperate” for the Belgian to return to his best.
De Bruyne has started just four Premier League games in another season marred by injury.
However, he has played just 72 minutes in five substitute appearances since returning from an eight-week absence with an abdominal problem last month.
Guardiola introduced De Bruyne with 12 minutes remaining at Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool lost 2-0.
De Bruyne still had the visitors’ best chance, but he was blocked by Cowichan Kelleher.
In the post-match Sky Sports discussion, pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both questioned Guardiola’s use of De Bruyne amid six draws in seven games.
Carragher said: “There is something wrong with De Bruyne. There is something wrong between the two of them.”
Neville agreed, saying Guardiola’s treatment of the playmaker was “unusual, strange, strange”.
Guardiola did not mention the pair directly but said ahead of the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest that there was nothing wrong with De Bruyne.
“People said I had a problem with Kevin,” he said. “Do you think I like not playing with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? He’s the most talented guy in the final third. Don’t I want that? I have personal issues with him after nine years together?
“He has brought me the greatest success at the club. I am very keen to have the best of him.
“But he’s been injured for five months and injured for another two months. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best form.”
De Bruyne was sidelined from August to early January last season due to a recurrence of a hamstring problem, which forced him to be substituted in the first half of the 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.
His contract expires next summer and De Bruyne has confirmed that talks over an extension have not yet taken place as he prioritizes a return to fitness.
“I hope Kevin is in his prime, 26 or 27 years old,” Guardiola said. “He would love that too.
“But he’s not 26 or 27 anymore. He’s had injuries in the past, important and long-term injuries, and he’s a guy who needs to be fit to get space and energy.”
“It’s normal, it’s natural. He played a lot of games over 10 or 11 seasons.
“I know he really wants to help us and he’s shown a talent that only he can have.”
