(Football news) De Bruyne hasn’t played in the Premier League for Manchester City since August 11 due to a hamstring injury he suffered away from Burnley on the opening weekend of the season. The ailment required surgery.
The 32-year-old said last month that his recuperation is “going very well,” and he has since hinted that he would make a return in the New Year. He has compared his strained hamstring to a “wet kitchen towel.”
The news that De Bruyne was named on Manchester City’s 23-man roster for the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia later this month gave the team’s supporters added optimism.
Although De Bruyne has resumed light training, Guardiola has revealed that he has not yet joined his colleagues for full training. As a result, it is unlikely that De Bruyne will play for the Citizens in the Club World Cup.
“I think he has started to run on the pitch but hasn’t trained with us once,” Guardiola remarked of De Bruyne during a press conference on Friday in advance of Sunday’s Premier League match at Luton Town.
“The FIFA Club World Cup is in two or three weeks. I don’t know. Maybe it’s a bit early but I don’t know (at this point).”
Three days after their Premier League match against Crystal Palace on December 16, Manchester City is scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia. There, they will play either Club Leon, a Mexican team, or Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final in Jeddah.
With 358 appearances in all competitions since joining the team in 2015, Bruyne has contributed 96 goals and 153 assists, making him a vital component of City’s success throughout the years.
Though Bruyne was one of several outstanding players who contributed to the Citizens’ record treble victory the previous season, the Belgian has not yet made an impression on the current campaign, and Guardiola is eager to give the player as much time as necessary to ensure a full recovery and return to his best.
“Kevin is so important,” Guardiola added. “But unfortunately, he’s had a tough injury for three or four months.
“Don’t put pressure on him, when he’s back we’ll have open arms for him.
“But I’ve said to the team, do you know how we struggled to get the treble? We were eight or nine points behind Arsenal. With all the problems and injuries we had. It’s normal, that’s why we gave credit to the treble.
“The same team right now, before the game against Wolves, were one game off the best start ever for this club. At the international break we were top.
“We faced Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Aston Villa, they’re top teams, and it can happen.
“We didn’t deserve to win against Villa, I don’t need time to reflect. I don’t need ‘oh maybe we can do this’. We have to do it all together and if Kevin is here, yes, if not, okay.
“Or maybe Rodri’s not here, so I have to find a way when he’s not there. Last season he was almost always there so I have to find a way.”
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