As Manchester City prepare to lock horns with Sparta Prague in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola was quizzed about Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness.
Guardiola revealed De Bruyne was back in training and in the final phase before returning to full fitness ahead of Manchester City’s 2-1 win against Wolves.
After an injury-riddled campaign last season, De Bruyne has been haunted by yet another setback this term.
It was reported on Tuesday that San Diego FC are keen to sign De Bruyne in the summer as he is growing “tired” of the intense nature of European football.
The Belgian international has started a mere five games for Manchester City in all competitions this season — picking up his latest injury during his side’s 0-0 draw against Inter Milan.
It would be ideal for Pep Guardiola if De Bruyne was at least fit enough to be on the bench.
Guardiola reveals De Bruyne is still far away from injury return ahead of Man City vs Sparta Prague
However, the Catalan tactician has had to adapt in the midfield maestro’s absence once again this campaign.
City, who are unbeaten across all competitions have largely fared well in the six-time Premier League winner’s absence.
In his latest press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash, Pep Guardiola was asked how long De Bruyne will be injured for via Manchester City’s YouTube channel: “I cannot tell you.”
When it was mentioned that the 33-year-old could be sidelined for a long time, the Manchester City boss replied: “Yeah.”
Pep Guardiola went on to disclose that De Bruyne himself informed him that he was far from being fully fit.
“No, it’s not a big issue. But he doesn’t feel completely fine and Kevin is not 22 years old old anymore, he has to be fit for his football.”
“He has to be completely, completely fit and he doesn’t feel comfortable at all. So he cannot express his incredible potential at his best, so that’s why he’s training a little bit better, but still he doesn’t feel… “He said to me, ‘Still I don’t feel good’. So if you don’t feel good, take your time.”
Pep Guardiola praised Kevin De Bruyne form before his injury
Last month, Pep Guardiola hailed De Bruyne’s start to the season before he picked up an unfortunate injury.
“Yeah, I agree. But it’s the same as Erling [Haaland] in all the comments after the game. I said the season starts now and of course, there are a lot of games, started really well, come back good, especially in the Premier League games and the competitions that we had.”
“Now we see, every three, four days, so cannot be sustained by any player every week and yeah, I’m happy, his mood is good and he’s playing at a good level.”
Here is a list of the games De Bruyne has missed through injury this campaign.
| SINCE DE BRUYNE’S INJURY THIS SEASON | |
| GAMES MISSED | COMPETITION |
| ARSENAL | PREMIER LEAGUE |
| NEWCASTLE UNITED | PREMIER LEAGUE |
| SLOVAN BRATISLAVA | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE |
| FULHAM | PREMIER LEAGUE |
| WOLVES | PREMIER LEAGUE |
The decorated creator would be itching to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City teammates would be determined to hold the fort until De Bruyne is fit.
As long as City are able to manage such a feat, their prospects of winning major silverware remain increasingly high this season.
