De Bruyne was substituted in the first half of the convincing 3-0 win over Burnley during the opening Premier League weekend.
Manchester City supporters have every reason to be concerned about the injury suffered by their influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian international could be out of action for a good while and might be set for surgery on his hamstring. It is not how City supporters would have wanted their season to begin. De Bruyne was substituted in the first half of the convincing 3-0 win over Burnley during the opening Premier League weekend.
Prior to Manchester City’s UEFA Super Cup contest against Sevilla on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola was understandably asked about Kevin De Bruyne’s injury and whether a surgery would be required. “It’s a serious injury. We have to decide on surgery but he will be a few months out,” he was quoted as saying by the club’s website. Asked when the decision would be taken, Guardiola replied, “In the next days,” before speaking about the worse-case scenario, “Surgery would be, I don’t know, three or four months out.”
It is no doubt a big blow for any side to lose a player of De Bruyne’s quality. He has been instrumental in City’s success over the years. However, Guardiola feels this is an opportunity for other players to grab the chance. “First of all, the injury to Kevin is a blow and big loss for us. Kevin has specific qualities. You can lose it for one or two games but for a long time this is tough for us. But we have to look forward and we have alternatives there at other options. [There are] opportunities now for the other ones – life gives you that – and I am pretty sure they will take it,” he stated.
One player who could benefit from De Bruyne’s absence is Phil Foden. The English international is capable of playing down the middle and in wide positions. “Yes he can play there and he can play outside as well. But the club since day one gave me a really good squad and we are going to find a solution,” he elaborated.
Meanwhile, last season’s Champions League final hero Rodri is looking to add more goals to his game in the future. It was his strike that won Man City the Champions League crown over Inter Milan in the final. “Yeah, I hope. It’s something I try to improve as a player. Of course, no-one demands me to score goals. It’s something I can do and help the team in this area. We have a strong team from set pieces and players like me who can score goals. It’s something I want to improve. In the beginning you don’t have the responsibility when you score, it makes you feel you can do it and it’s a good area to grow. I will try to do it,” he added.
More Football Stories:
Andre Onana to Manchester United: What is the new goalkeeper’s jersey number for 2023-24 season?
Premier League: Which players have scored the most goals in a single season?
EPL stats: Which clubs have conceded the most last-minute winners in Premier League?
EPL stats: Which clubs have scored the most number of last-minute winners in Premier League?
Declan Rice to Arsenal: Why did the English international move from West Ham to Arsenal?