Pep Guardiola criticises Kevin De Bruyne after benching him for three out of the previous seven league games, clarifies what midfielder needs to do
Pep Guardiola shared his honest evaluation of Kevin De Bruyne’s recent performance, which led to him being benched for three games.
He urged De Bruyne to focus on getting the basics right. Typically, at this stage of the season, Guardiola would be preparing for another league win with Manchester City.
They may be in a close battle with Liverpool, but this year is different, as Arsenal is leading by five points.
With only 11 games left, time is running out for City, although they will face Arsenal in one of those matches.
The mention of Arsenal’s clock picture from the weekend is a pun on the ticking clock and the pressure on City to catch up.
Despite being the top assister in the league this season, Kevin De Bruyne’s recent decline in form has been a problem for Manchester City, the reigning champions.
As a result, Guardiola has benched him for three out of the previous seven league games, including the narrow victory against Crystal Palace over the weekend.
Some are even suggesting that other players in De Bruyne’s position, such as Martin Odegaard, have surpassed him as the best in the league.
Guardiola has expressed his frustration with De Bruyne’s performance, stating that he wants to see him improve his basic skills.
“It’s been a difficult season for all of us, me included, due to the World Cup and many things,” the City boss said ahead of the Champions League tie with RB Leipzig.
“I’m not going to discover [how good] Kevin [is]. What I’d like – I spoke many times to him – is to go to the easy principles and do it well. He has an incredible ability to make an assist, to score goals and see passes like no one else.
“But I always have the belief that they will increase and get better when the simple things [are done]: like don’t lose the ball, the mobility, the incredible capacity to be active in the movement.
“The simple things: do it again better and better. When this is going to happen the rest will come along.”
On Saturday, Kevin De Bruyne was subbed on after Erling Haaland scored the winning goal, but before Haaland had an unfortunate malfunction during the post-match celebrations.
Although De Bruyne and Haaland had a promising partnership at the start of the season, the Norwegian’s role in the team has been questioned at times, partly due to a decrease in De Bruyne’s assists.
Despite this, with only a five-point gap separating Manchester City from their third consecutive title, it would be unwise to count them out, especially if De Bruyne can regain his top form.
Pep Guardiola criticises Kevin De Bruyne after benching him for three out of the previous seven league games, clarifies what midfielder needs to do
