De Bruyne Struggles with Fitness Issues
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Gary Neville discusses Manchester City’s troubling form following the match against Tottenham
Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the pitch came late in the match against Tottenham, as he was brought on in the 74th minute when the game was already decided. In the midst of a challenging stretch for Manchester City, which has seen them suffer five consecutive losses, De Bruyne has managed only 38 minutes of play.
De Bruyne’s ongoing battle with fitness, following a hamstring injury he sustained in September, poses a significant challenge for Pep Guardiola. While City managed to cope without him for much of last season, the current situation is compounded by Rodri’s absence from the midfield.
Since the Champions League opener against Inter two months ago, De Bruyne has not started a single match. At 33 years old, with over 700 appearances for club and country, the toll of the game is evident, particularly as he faces recurring hamstring issues.
Guardiola is eager to have De Bruyne back in the starting lineup soon, but concerns linger that such a comeback may be too late. Recent seasons have shown that De Bruyne’s physical reliability is in question. Similarly, at 34, Kyle Walker is now also facing scrutiny regarding his ability to keep up in crucial moments. His struggle against Timo Werner during Tottenham’s fourth goal raised eyebrows, especially considering Walker has traditionally relied on his pace to navigate challenging situations. Despite clocking an impressive top speed of 33.61 kilometers per hour this season, it places him outside the top 100 in the Premier League. While this data can be somewhat misleading, it undeniably indicates a worrying trend in his performance.
