Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has responded to Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, who claimed that he had fallen out with midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
The former players raised concerns after De Bruyne was not included in the starting lineup for City’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. De Bruyne was brought on for the final 12 minutes of the match, prompting Neville to describe the situation as “bizarre and strange,” while Carragher suggested that “something was going on” between the player and manager.
Guardiola refuted these claims, saying, “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? That I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third? I don’t want it? That I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?”
The City manager went on to highlight De Bruyne’s contributions to the club, adding, “He’s delivered to me the biggest success for this club. But he’s been injured for five months and two months. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better.”
Guardiola expressed his desire to have De Bruyne in his prime, stating, “I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27. He would love it, too. But he’s not 26 or 27 anymore. He’s had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He’s a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.”
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