Kevin De Bruyne will be ‘out for three or four MONTHS’ with a recurring hamstring injury, reveals Pep Guardiola… as the Man City boss admits club will decide if Belgian star must undergo surgery
Kevin De Bruyne will be ‘out for three or four MONTHS’ with a recurring hamstring injury, Pep Guardiola reveals… as Man City manager admits the club will decide if the Belgian star needs surgery
- Pep Guardiola confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne is on the sidelines
- The midfielder was withdrawn last week during Man City’s 3-0 win over Burnley
- WATCH: ‘It All Begins’ – Episode 1 – The brand new football show from Mail Sport
Kevin De Bruyne is likely to miss the rest of the year after being advised to have surgery for a recurring hamstring problem, news that has further impact on Manchester City’s transfer business.
City are looking for a new central midfielder and are on the verge of moving ahead with a move to West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta.
Guardiola – who is also without Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva for Wednesday’s Super Cup final against Sevilla – fears his talisman will require surgery.
“In the next few days we will decide, surgery or no surgery, but it will take a few months,” Guardiola said. “It will take another three or four months.
Kevin’s injury is a great loss, he has specific qualities. You can lose it one or two games, but for a long time it is very difficult for us. But you have to look ahead.
Kevin De Bruyne had to leave Man City’s match against Burnley after an injury
The Belgium international lasted just 23 minutes after City’s game at Turf Moor on Friday
‘We have alternatives with different skills, different talent. It’s another chance, life gives you it. I’m pretty sure they’ll take it.’
Guardiola offered Phil Foden to be brought in more centrally, although City have yet to sign a deal for young Rennes right winger Jeremy Doku.
De Bruyne’s absence also sparks intrigue over the near future of academy midfielder James McAtee with the Treble winners.
A target from before De Bruyne’s setback, Paqueta is expected to cost up to £80m and City are also fighting to keep number 2 goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Ortega is wanted by Bayern Munich and Guardiola revealed it will be difficult to find new cover for Ederson this late in the period.
“It would be a problem to lose him, first of all because of the quality,” Guardiola added. When we brought him here because (goalkeeper coach) Xabi Mancisidor sent me clips saying he was a goalkeeper we needed.
“He played for a team relegated from the Bundesliga and from day one I said ‘what a goalkeeper we have.’ You know how many saves he makes in important games.
“We don’t want to lose him. We need it, but as in many cases it depends on three parts. If we lose Stefan out of the market for two weeks, we’ll have to get a keeper and that’s not easy now. It is not easy. We want him.’
Pep Guardiola (pictured) confirmed that De Bruyne could probably undergo surgery as a result
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