Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed speculation about a rift with star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, stating he is “desperate” to see the Belgian return to top form.
De Bruyne has endured another injury-plagued season, starting only four Premier League matches.
In City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Guardiola brought De Bruyne on with only 12 minutes remaining.
Despite his limited time on the pitch, De Bruyne created the visitors’ best chance but was denied by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
After the match, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville questioned Guardiola’s decision to limit De Bruyne’s involvement, especially during a challenging period in which City have suffered six defeats and secured just one draw in their last seven games.
Carragher said: “Something is going on with De Bruyne. Something isn’t right between those two.”
Neville agreed and said Guardiola’s treatment of the playmaker was “unusual, bizarre, strange”.
Guardiola did not mention the pair directly but, before the Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest, said there was no issue with De Bruyne.
“People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin,” he said. “Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?
“He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club. I’m desperate to have his best.
“But he’s been five months injured and two months injured. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best.”
De Bruyne was out from August to the beginning of January last season after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring issue that forced him to be replaced in the first half of the 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.
His contract expires next summer and De Bruyne has confirmed talks are yet to take place over an extension, as he prioritises his return to fitness.
“I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27,” said Guardiola. “He would love it too.
“But he is not 26 or 27 any more. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones, and he is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.
“It’s normal, it’s nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons.
“I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have.”