Kevin De Bruyne has experienced many physical problems in recent months, and is not playing as much as hoped. But could this be linked to Pep Guardiola’s choices?
Kevin De Bruyne (33 years old) is probably experiencing one of his most complicated seasons between injuries, lack of playing time and weariness while uncertainty continues to reign regarding his future. KDB is indeed reaching the end of its contract next June.
With Manchester City experiencing their worst run under Pep Guardiola, the Catalan has taken his time to reintegrate De Bruyne into the team. His last start dates back to September 18 before a new injury, but the Belgian returned to the group at the beginning of November and did not however return to the eleven.
After five consecutive appearances (two in the Champions League, three in the Premier League), De Bruyne is probably ready to play more. Which pushes some English analysts to wonder if the problem is still physical. “There is something going on with De Bruyne,” believes Jamie Carragher, consultant for Sky Sports.
“In my eyes, he is Manchester City’s best player over the last five seasons, but he doesn’t start any matches. Something is wrong between De Bruyne and Guardiola,” assures the former Liverpool player. A funny theory, when we know the quasi-filial relationship between the two men.
Micah Richards, himself a former citizen, also has questions. “Perhaps the possibility of Kevin De Bruyne going to Saudi Arabia at the end of the season created a rift between the two of them,” he also raises on Sky Sports. Guardiola, for his part, extended for one more season.
This Tuesday, at a press conference, Pep Guardiola assured that Kevin De Bruyne was “getting better and better” and was getting closer to a return to the starting eleven. Nothing to indicate problems between the two men, so…
