Former footballer and pundit John Giles has claimed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has had a go at Kevin De Bruyne earlier in the season to get him in the best form possible.
The Belgian has been in fine form for the Citizens in recent weeks and delivering in the big games such as by scoring two goals in their 4-1 Premier League win over title rivals Arsenal and by scoring the equaliser in City’s recent 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Speaking on a recent edition of the OTB Football Show podcast, Giles had this to say about the midfielder and what could have been going on behind the scenes between him and the manager.
He said: “I think Guardiola had a go at him not so long ago. I think he left him out of a couple of matches and I think he’s bucked up since then, because when he does play and play at his best he’s really top notch.
Giles calls De Bruyne a ‘moody’ player
“In recent times he’s been playing very, very well. But I think Guardiola had a go at him, he’s a moody type of individual who demands a lot from people around him, which is okay as long as he’s doing it himself.
“He has stepped up in recent matches, there’s no doubt.”
As Giles mentioned, the 31-year-old did have a spell in and out of the team back in January and February, with Guardiola not starting the midfielder in either of their league matches against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, with three goals and five assists to his name from his five previous league appearances, it’s safe to say that if the manager did get on his back earlier in the season, it certainly worked.
Moving forward, with City still on the hunt to win three trophies, if De Bruyne can continue his fine form and keep providing goals and assists, he’ll give the team a great chance of getting their hands on some silverware.
