Kevin de Bruyne could miss the next four months of the season as Manchester City decide whether he needs surgery on a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola says.
The 32-year-old midfielder had to leave the field after just 23 minutes due to his injury during City’s initial victory against Burnley at Turf Moor last Friday.
De Bruyne had also sustained an injury during the Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan in June. Guardiola characterized the injury as severe, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The midfielder had already missed all of City’s pre-season matches and only made a comeback as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.
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Guardiola emphasized that a decision regarding surgery would be reached in the forthcoming days and that this could potentially result in De Bruyne’s being sidelined for three to four months. The manager confirmed that the current injury is related to the same hamstring issue that De Bruyne had been dealing with during the final two months of the previous season, although he had continued playing through the pain during that time.
While Guardiola acknowledged the significance of De Bruyne’s injury to the team, he also emphasized the need to move forward and make use of the alternative talents within the squad. He mentioned that the absence of De Bruyne’s unique qualities for an extended period would be challenging, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up.
Guardiola remained uncertain about potential reinforcements before the transfer window closes, stating that decisions would be made based on the circumstances. Manchester City’s upcoming challenge is against Sevilla, the Europa League winners, in the Super Cup in Athens, Greece.
Midfielder Rodri expressed his lack of awareness about the full extent of De Bruyne’s injury but assured that the team would offer support during his recovery. Recognizing De Bruyne’s pivotal role, Rodri expressed confidence in the team’s ability to manage in his absence, considering the depth of talent available.
Overall, Guardiola’s statements underscored the seriousness of De Bruyne’s injury, the potential impact on the team, and the need to adapt and excel despite this setback.