Kevin De Bruyne: Pep Guardiola denies rumours of a rift with Man City midfielder

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne, insisting he is “desperate” to have the playmaker back to his best.

A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not started matches during the champions' dramatic slump.

City are without a win in seven games in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne playing only as a substitute in the last five of those games after recovering from a pelvic injury.

The latter came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday's demoralizing 2-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result that left City 11 points behind and fifth in the table.

Richards said it seemed like there was 'some sort of rift going on' between De Bruyne and Guardiola, while Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher said he felt 'something isn't right' and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville discussed the situation described as 'unusual, bizarre'. , foreign”.

Guardiola responded at a press conference on Tuesday to preview his side's clash with Nottingham Forest.

The Spaniard said: “People say I have a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like not playing with Kevin? No, I don't want Kevin to play?”

“I don't want the guy who has the most talent in the final third? Do I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?

“He has given me the greatest success for this club, but he has been injured for five months [last season] and injured for two months [this season].

“He is 33 years old. He needs time to find the best of himself, just like last season, step by step. He will try to do it and feel better. I desperately want to have the best of himself.”

Guardiola did confirm that De Bruyne is close to starting for Wednesday evening's match against Nottingham Forest, where Man City will look to end a run of seven games without a win.

De Bruyne has not started since being subbed off at half-time of City's Champions League match with Inter Milan on September 18 after picking up an injury in the previous match.

Both player and manager have since spoken about the pain he was in and the need to return to action, but his time on the bench has been unexpectedly long.

The resulting speculation has subsequently worsened as De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract, but Guardiola insists nothing untoward has happened.

He said: “I'd love to have Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He'd love it too, but he's not 26 or 27 anymore.

“He has had significant and long-term injuries in the past. He is a man who needs to be physically fit because of his space and energy. Do you think I'm complaining? That's normal, it's nature.”

“He has played a lot of games in 10 or 11 seasons and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives a glimpse of the brilliance that only he can have.”

But I've always said he won't solve our problems himself, just like Erling (Haaland) won't solve them himself. We attack together and defend together.

“We want the best players back. Hopefully, step by step, confidence will return and we will get the best out of all of us.”

Man City is fifth in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. Injuries to a number of players have played a role and Guardiola is confident that with a full squad his team would be back at the top of the league.

“With the entire squad, this season we would be close to the level we have achieved in recent seasons,” he added.

“I'm desperate for Phil's five goals and assists [Foden]Kevin or Jeremy [Doku]maybe a little less of Jack [Grealish]Savinho or [Ilkay] Gundogan. Just five goals and assists from these four or five players and we would be top of the league. But what happened is they're not there, they got hurt.

“This is the bigger problem I think I have. We never know what's going to happen, but I feel like we'll be a good team, but we have to find solutions with these absences. I have to prove myself and find a way We have to be clear in our heads and try to win games.”

Neville: De Bruyne's absence is bizarre

Following Sunday's defeat at Anfield, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville addressed De Bruyne's injury situation and believes there is more behind the scenes.

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast he said: “The Kevin De Bruyne thing is unusual, bizarre and strange.

“Why is he probably the best player the Premier League has had in the last ten years, why isn't he there? We know he's had injuries but why isn't he there, because he's a leader, he has authority, he has confidence, he has brilliance.

“So there's something going on, there's definitely something going on in the locker room. Something's happening.”

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher added: “There is something going on with De Bruyne. For me, he has been the best player in the league for the last five seasons. He doesn't start games and doesn't reach half the competition. time [against Liverpool].

“I'm not trying to cause more problems for Manchester City, but something is not right between the two [Guardiola and De Bruyne]. It's sad because we're talking about one of the best managers and best players in the Premier League.

“His contract expires this summer and I know he has had a few problems but something is not right if he is not in the team when he is fit.”

Man City are paying the price for poor recruitment

How could Manchester City allow this group of players to grow old without any replacements ready?