Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed rumors of a falling out with star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, saying he is “desperate” to get the Belgian back to his best.
De Bruyne has started just four Premier League games in another injury-plagued season.
However, since returning from an eight-week absence due to an abdominal complaint last month, he has only played 72 minutes in five substitute appearances.
There were just 12 minutes left at Anfield on Sunday when Guardiola substituted De Bruyne in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
De Bruyne still had the visitors' best chance when he was denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.
In a post-match discussion on Sky Sports, pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both questioned Guardiola's use of De Bruyne in a run of six defeats and one draw in seven games.
Carragher said: “There is something wrong with De Bruyne. There’s something wrong between the two of them.”
Neville agreed and said Guardiola's treatment of the playmaker was “unusual, bizarre, strange”.
Guardiola did not mention the pair directly but said ahead of the Premier League game against Nottingham Forest that there was no problem with De Bruyne.
“People say I have a problem with Kevin,” he said. “Do you think I like not playing with Kevin? I don't want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I do not want that? I have a personal problem with him after nine years.” together?
“He gave me the greatest success for this club. I really want to do his best.”
“But he was injured for five months and injured for two months. He is 33 years old. He needs time to do his best.”
De Bruyne was sidelined from August to early January last season after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury that forced him to be substituted in the first half of the 2023 Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
His contract expires next summer and De Bruyne has confirmed that talks over an extension have not yet taken place as his return to fitness is a priority.
“I would like Kevin to be in his prime, 26 or 27,” said Guardiola. “He would love it too.
“But he's not 26 or 27 anymore. He's had injuries in the past, serious and long-term, and he's a guy who has to be physically fit for his space and his energy.”
“It’s normal, it’s in nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons.”
“I know he’s desperate to help us, he’s providing insight into the genius that only he can have.”
