The Premier League’s serial assist king Kevin de Bruyne is on the shelf after just 24 minutes of the 2023-24 Premier League season and Pep Guardiola has provided the latest update on KDB.
Man City‘s captain hobbled off the pitch with another injury issue and was replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
[ MORE: PST’s big 2023-24 season predictions post ]
The injury got in the way of a stop-start but still comfortable-enough first half at Turf Moor, as City ended up winning 3-0 through an Erling Haaland brace. Rodri also scored in the win.
De Bruyne was being eased into the new season after his injury in the Champions League final, as he acknowledged after that game that he had not been 100% for most of the second half of last season. De Bruyne walked around the pitch and to the changing rooms after being subbed off and looked upset.
Latest update on Kevin de Bruyne
Pep Guardiola confirmed it is the same ailment that kept De Bruyne from being at his best — though still better than most players — for much of last season.
“Hamstring,” Guardiola said. “It depends on the magnitude of the injury but he will be out for a few weeks.”
Asked if Kevin de Bruyne came back from his injury too quickly, Guardiola admitted it was a possibility.
“Maybe it was a mistake. But when someone is injured after 15 minutes, 20 minutes it was not about that, it’s about something being wrong,” Guardiola said. “After 65 [minutes] it could be the fatigue of the muscle. We will have to talk with the doctor and him. He has to free his mind and he will be back, for sure. I remember one year, our second Premier League together, he was out a long, long time injured. He needs to relax and he knows a little bit what it’s like.”
Our Joe Prince-Wright was live from Turf Moor. Follow his updates from the opening match of the season, here.
Services Marketplace – Listings, Bookings & Reviews
