De Bruyne mystery: ‘Something definitely going on in Man City dressing room’
Gary Neville believes that there is “something definitely going on in the dressing room” of Man City amid Kevin de Bruyne’s continued omission from the starting line up.
The 33-year-old was a late substitute on Sunday evening as his side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, courtesy of goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohammed Salah, which sent the Reds 11 points clear of the defending champions.
The Belgian has struggled with a hamstring injury in recent seasons, missing 19 games last term with the issue, while in this campaign his minutes have been managed after he was forced to sit out five matches following a recurrence of the same problem. De Bruyne has also entered the final year of his current deal at the Etihad.
But former Man United defender Neville was surprised Pep Guardiola left the star veteran out of his injury-hit XI at Liverpool and suggested there is an issue behind the scenes.
He said on the Gary Neville Podcast (1 December, 7m 45s): “The De Bruyne thing is unusual, bizarre, strange. Why is probably the best player the Premier League has had in the last 10 years not out there?
“We know he’s had injuries but why is he not out there because he’s a leader, he’s got authority, he’s got confidence, he’s got brilliance, so something’s going on. Something is definitely going on in the dressing room. There’s something happening.”
Man City must extend Kevin de Bruyne contract
Football Insider opinion
As the club’s all-time assist leader and a player who has been instrumental in their most successful years, keeping the Belgian should be a priority for City despite his recent injury struggles and whatever the current issue is.
De Bruyne has delivered over 15 assists in the Premier League for the Citizens in four separate seasons, and has also scored an impressive 69 league goals for the club, showcasing his remarkable playmaking consistency and creativity in front of goal.
The midfielder’s ability to dictate the tempo of a match and unlock defences with a single pass is virtually unparalleled. His vision, precision, and footballing intelligence make him one of the best midfielders the Premier League has ever seen.
Off the pitch, De Bruyne is a key figure in the dressing room. His leadership and professionalism have been vital in shaping City’s dominant culture under Guardiola. His influence extends beyond the field, and his role as a senior figure in the squad should provide the team with a level of stability that only a player of his stature can bring.
That is all the more vital now that Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his own injury and Guardiola’s side have now extended their winless run to seven games.
In other news, Rodri has seemingly dropped a hint about a potential move to Real Madrid.
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