Pep Guardiola has warned that Kevin De Bruyne runs the risk of breaking down again if Manchester City do not sufficiently manage his minutes.
De Bruyne’s five-month injury lay-off is coming to an end after hamstring surgery and the 32-year-old is set for a place in City’s squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town
‘Of course it was a big injury, what we’re concerned with the most is to try and avoid a repeat,’ Guardiola said.
‘This is what we have to be careful with, with his minutes at first. What Kevin needs is to accumulate weeks of training and minutes. Weeks and weeks. A setback would be the worst.’
City have been without other star performers in recent weeks. Jeremy Doku’s hamstring issue has cleared up, while Erling Haaland has trained with the team after a foot problem.
Kevin De Bruyne is set to return to Man City’s line-up for their FA Cup tie against Huddersfield
The player was back on the City bench for their festive tie against Sheffield United last month
Pep Guardiola stressed how important it will be to make sure the midfielder is not overplayed
City have been without other star performers in recent weeks. Jeremy Doku’s hamstring issue has cleared up, while Erling Haaland has trained with the team after a foot problem.
The Treble winners are planning for a week-long warm-weather camp in Abu Dhabi in the days following next week’s trip to Newcastle United, where the trio can continue reintegrating into the squad.
Guardiola stressed that he must be focused on medical advice rather than the player’s desire to feature.
The Catalan added: ‘There is enthusiasm in the first minutes, “Wow, I’m going to play”. You have to careful with that. You have to speak with him but especially with his doctors, physios and the guys who knows what the minutes should be and the best processes.’
City are likely to have a number of absentees at the start of their FA Cup defence. Rodri has flown back to Madrid following the death of his grandmother, although he has been given the option of playing if he wishes, while four others have failed to train this week with a virus.
Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and Scott Carson have all been absent alongside Kalvin Phillips, whose loan interest from Juventus has not yet materialised into a departure despite talks taking place. The likes of youngster Oscar Bobb are hoping for a chance to impress from the start.
And Guardiola revealed that the club had held talks with their stars about security measures at home before Jack Grealish became the latest footballer to be targeted over Christmas.
Grealish saw £1million worth of jewellery stolen by intruders during City’s victory at Everton over Christmas – the latest in a line of those who have suffered break ins.
City’s head of security, Barry South, presented to the players last year to warn of the dangers circling the region.
The Manchester City boss insisted that his side wanted to avoid a recurrence of the Belgian’s injury
Man City players have been given security measures by the club after Jack Grealish became the latest Premier League star to be targeted by burglars
Grealish, his girlfriend Sasha Attwood, and his family were in the house when burglars broke in
Grealish had made security arrangements at his new £5.6m mansion in Cheshire but had only just moved into the property when intruders struck as his family watched the win at Goodison Park on television downstairs.
‘He’s much better, of course,’ Guardiola said. ‘He communicated his feelings a lot. He’s had time to fix so it won’t happen again.
‘We have incredible people here. Our chief security man is handling it with Jack, his family and his girlfriend. They’re impacted, which is normal. When you’re at home and you have people come inside, it’s scary. It’s normal. Try to be relaxed, make the perfect environment so it doesn’t happen again.
‘The players know it. Last season the club made a meeting with the players, with all of us, to (explain) the reality. They said we have to be careful, to prepare. If you live in an apartment here (in Manchester) maybe it is easier but when you’re in the countryside, or (go) away, you have to be careful. It’s not just the UK. In Spain it’s a reality. In Italy, everywhere, it’s a fact.’
Manchester City are at the centre of a lawsuit filed by Superdry alleging an infringement of their trademark. The Premier League champions have a partnership with Japanese brewer Asahi and their product — the non-alcoholic ‘Super Dry 0.0%’ — is the main sponsor on City’s training kit.
Clothing brand Superdry have claimed that the design on City’s kit looks identical to their own logo and can confuse consumers.
Superdry have requested an injunction to restrain City from using the logo and Pep Guardiola’s squad appear to have trained in alternative tops this week.
City, who have been in partnership with Asahi since 2022, declined to comment.
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