Pep Guardiola has issued a warning to Manchester City, urging them not to become overly dependent on Kevin De Bruyne now that the Belgian midfielder is back in action. De Bruyne made a celebrated return against Huddersfield after a 148-day absence, receiving enthusiastic applause from City fans.
Guardiola praised De Bruyne’s comeback but emphasized the need to gradually reintegrate him into the team. Despite his impactful performance, the manager stated that De Bruyne is not yet ready to start in the upcoming match against Newcastle. Guardiola cautioned against expecting De Bruyne to immediately resume regular scoring duties.
“Kevin is not the sole solution to our challenges; significant victories require collective effort,” Guardiola asserted. While acknowledging De Bruyne’s talent, Guardiola highlighted the importance of defensive contributions from players like Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. He emphasized the team’s overall improvement in various aspects and stressed the need for a collaborative approach.
Guardiola, keen on managing expectations, refrained from placing undue pressure on De Bruyne. He expressed confidence in the Belgian’s ability to handle pressure but emphasized the unfairness of burdening him alone. Guardiola sees De Bruyne as an integral part of the team, alongside other dynamic players like Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Matheus Nunes, and Oscar Bobb.
The manager clarified that the plan for De Bruyne’s gradual return remains unchanged, indicating that he is unlikely to start in the upcoming fixture against Newcastle.