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Kevin De Bruyne: Pep Guardiola ‘desperate’ for Man City midfielder to return to form amid injury struggles

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is “desperate” for Kevin De Bruyne to return to his best form amid his injury problems, but warns the midfielder may not be able to do so.

The Belgium international has been struggling with a hamstring injury in recent seasons and has seen his minutes rise well this season. He came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Super Sunday.

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

And the manager emphasized how much he would like to have De Bruyne back in regular action, saying: “Do you think I wouldn't want to play against Kevin?… But he was injured for five months, and then two months, and he is 34 years old.” old.

“It will take time to help him get back to his best. Last season it happened step by step to do it and try to feel better and I'm desperate to have his best.

“I would love to have Kevin at 25 or 26 and he would love that. But he doesn't have that anymore and he has had significant injuries in the past, long ones. He needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.

“But you think I'm complaining about that, that's normal, because in ten or eleven seasons he has played a lot of games. He wants to help us and give us a glimpse of the brilliance he can have.”

'But he himself will not solve our problems. Erling [Haaland] won't solve our problems. We always attack and defend together.

“We want the best players back and hopefully he can get minutes step by step and come back. The results will help us and give us the best of him.”

Man City is currently 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 today.

“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.”