Kevin De Bruyne expresses his biggest regrets since joining Manchester City
Imagine picking up an injury just before one of the biggest wins of your career! It’s just hard to describe it in words. However, Kevin De Bruyne had to go through just that as the Belgian picked up a hamstring injury during the UEFA Champions League final last season. The Manchester City star was inconsolable as he walked out of the pitch, much to his dismay. However, the midfielder showed his grit as he recovered from his injury in two months, just to pick up the same injury in the very first game of the season! Cruel, right?
The midfielder returned from the long injury last month, picking up right where he left off. However, the Belgian hasn’t got past his time away with the hamstring injury. Moreover, the player voiced his annoyance at the cramped fixtures in Manchester City’s feature film centered on his injury and return.
Kevin De Bruyne stated, “I don’t think people necessarily understand when you are playing every three days. It’s just, there’s no time to work on other things because you are just going from playing to recovery. You know I’ve been doing this for 14-15 years straight, especially the last 10 years.”
He continued, “I’ve been playing in the European Cup, national team. So I’ve always never had the time to either rest or work on something that I probably needed to work on.”
Kevin De Bruyne is not the only player who has voiced their frustration on the ever-growing rate of fixtures. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and boss Pep Guardiola have also spoken out on the issue in previous interviews with the duo, not pleased with the excruciating schedule. Yet, KDB continues to perform at the highest level for City!
Kevin De Bruyne marks his comeback in style
The Manchester City superstar has been on a sublime run, following his return from the hamstring injury. Kevin De Bruyne, since his return, has marked eight appearances for the treble champions, accumulating two goals and seven assists. The Belgian’s return has also given the Cityzens an extra edge in their attack, with the team currently unbeaten in their last twelve outings across all competitions.
While fans were concerned if De Bruyne could deliver at the same level following his return, it’s safe to say the midfielder looks like he never skipped a beat. Manchester City has a lot of expectations riding on their shoulders and will look to once again put everyone on notice with their playmaker back in the mix. Do you think Pep Guardiola’s side can repeat their laurels from last season? Let us know in the comments below.
‘Even Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t’: Rio Ferdinand says Man City ace is the best in the world at specific skill
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Rio Ferdinand firmly believes that Phil Foden is the best player in the world on the half-turn.
After Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Newcastle United in August, Peter Crouch claimed that no other player in the Premier League is as much of a master of the skill as the 23-year-old.
In January, Ally McCoist also stated that he is unsure whether any other player is as good as the treble-winner on the half-turn.
Rio Ferdinand says Phil Foden is the best player in the world on the half-turn
During City’s loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield, Phil Foden spun past an onrushing Thomas Partey, eventually leading to Cole Palmer’s tremendous opening strike for his former side at Wembley Stadium.
Since then, the Englishman has used the skill to full effect, especially when deployed in a central position, such as in the Sky Blues’ 3-1 win against Everton.
Rio Ferdinand believes that on the half-turn, Manchester City technician Phil Foden is in a league of his own when compared to any other player in the world.
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Everton FC v Manchester City – Premier League
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“For instance, when you get Phil Foden in a number eight, ten slot and he turns and faced defenders, there ain’t anyone in world football who I see does it as clean as and as potent as him. Turns, slots someone”, he said on FIVE’s official YouTube channel.
“Especially the first part of the season when [Erling] Haaland and [Kevin] De Bruyne weren’t there. In that number eight, ten slot there where the likes of [Martin] Odegaard play, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne play at times, the likes of [Kai] Havertz plays for Arsenal, there ain’t no one.”
Rio Ferdinand went on to claim that even Kevin De Bruyne is not as proficient at the sumptuous piece of skill than Phil Foden.
“Even Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t turn in the way Foden does in those tight pockets and you can go to Man City and say, ‘Who is the person that turns the best and owns that area the best since David Silva?’ And they’ll all go Phillip Foden.”
Phil Foden must be given the chance to showcase this skill against Brentford
In our view, Rio Ferdinand is bang on the money about just how much of an expert Phil Foden is on the half-turn.
As Manchester City prepare to face Brentford on Tuesday, in our view, Foden should be given a chance to showcase this piece of skill by playing in the middle of the park.
Considering Julian Alvarez struggled to impact proceedings against Chelsea, it may be wise for Pep Guardiola to play the Stockport-born midfielder alongside Kevin De Bruyne against the Bees.
Phil Foden could help the hosts dismantle the West London side’s compact structure by spinning past their midfielders on the half-turn and creating space for himself and his teammates to score and create goals.
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