Glenn Hoddle says he has been blown away by how good Manchester City have been this season without Kevin De Bruyne.
Pep Guardiola’s side go into the international break top of the Premier League having enjoyed a good past few weeks. It is only a slender lead at the top, but City have managed to get back on track after recently losing two league games in a row in the absence of midfield maestro Rodri.
The 4-4 draw with Chelsea was a little frustrating, but ultimately it was probably a fair result, with City somewhat sloppy at the back.
A return of 28 points from a possible 36 is good going considering City historically start seasons slowly.
For Hoddle, the Citizens’ start is even more impressive when you factor in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne…
Glenn Hoddle stunned by how good Manchester City have been without Kevin De Bruyne
Hoddle was at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for that pulsating 4-4 draw between Chelsea and City, and was full of praise for Guardiola’s side for what they’ve done so far this season.
For him, City are the best side in world football and he’s simply amazed at the quality that’s been on show in the absence of De Bruyne.
He said (via mancity.com): “Have I got an hour to talk about City?! I could talk about City all day! I think they’re the best team in the world right now and I’d include any international team in that.
“The football they play, the squad they’ve got is phenomenal. City lost their best player in Kevin De Bruyne and you could never tell that in a million years, the way they play – and they do it with any XI they put out.”
De Bruyne – dubbed ‘sublime’ by City’s official website – has been sidelined since the very first weekend of the 2023/24 season, getting injured in the first-half of City’s Premier League opener against Burnley.
It was the same hamstring he injured in the Champions League final against Inter. De Bruyne actually admitted recently that he’d been struggling with it for two months before that game.
Guardiola said recently that the star is now in the last phase of his recovery before he starts training again. It is expected he’ll return to match action in the New Year.
City still miss De Bruyne
City have made a very positive start to the 2023/24 without De Bruyne – but arguably the team still misses him. Any side would miss a player of his quality.
There have been occasions where City have lacked creativity, which he obviously brings to the table in a big way. The defeats to Wolves and Arsenal saw City struggle to create meaningful chances.
Even in games that City have won, there have been instances of Erling Haaland making a run and not being picked out by whoever is in possession.
City have definitely been impressive so far. But almost any City fan would have £55 million maestro De Bruyne back in the starting XI in a heartbeat.
