‘I have a personal problem with him’, Guardiola’s sarcasm on his relationship with De Bruyne

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has denied having a problem with Kevin De Bruyne and his dressing room, as suggested by several consultants.

Manchester City will try, this Wednesday against Nottingham Forest (8:30 p.m.), to end an incredible series of seven consecutive games without a win (one draw, six defeats). So dominant in recent seasons, the Sky Blues have been losing ground for more than a month. But Pep Guardiola has an explanation for this: the slaughter of injuries which has affected his team. The Citizens manager brushed aside any idea of ​​conflict with his locker room, including star Kevin De Bruyne, as suggested by consultants Jamie Carragher or Gary Neville.

“I desperately want to get the best out of him.”

“People say I have a problem with Kevin,” Guardiola said at a press conference on Tuesday. “Do you think I like not playing with Kevin?” The Spaniard continued sarcastically: “No, I don’t want Kevin to play,” he said. “He’s the guy with the most talent in the final third of the pitch. I don’t want him. I have a personal problem with him after nine years together.”

The Belgian international has played just 72 minutes in five matches since returning from injury in early November. Last season, he missed five months of competition after hamstring surgery. Pep Guardiola explains this limited playing time by these physical glitches and a gradual return to his best state of form.

“He gave this club the greatest success,” he continued. “I would love to have Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love that. But he’s not 26 or 27 anymore. He’s had injuries in the past, big, long injuries. He’s a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy He needs time to find his best level. Like last season, step by step He will try to do it and feel better. desperately to have the best of himself. I know he desperately wants to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliant moves that only he can do.”

For Guardiola, without injuries, Manchester City would today be very close to Liverpool, Premier League leader with eleven points ahead of Manchester City. “I desperately want five goals and assists from (Phil) Foden after his last season,” he said. “Five for Kevin, goals and assists from Jeremy (Doku), goals and assists from Jack (Grealish), Savinho or Gundo. Five goals and assists (each) from these (players). No 20, 30 or 40. Just five goals and assists from these players and we would be top of the championship. Why didn’t that happen? They were injured. They weren’t ready. That’s my biggest problem.”