Pep Guardiola Denies Rift with Kevin De Bruyne, Cites Injuries as Key Factor

The Manchester City manager refutes claims of a falling-out with De Bruyne, emphasizing the player's fitness challenges and importance to the team.

Pep Guardiola dismissed speculation from pundits suggesting a personal conflict with Kevin De Bruyne, calling such claims 'ridiculous' and sarcastically denying he would choose not to play the star midfielder.
Guardiola attributed De Bruyne's limited appearances to ongoing recovery from groin and abdominal injuries, noting the 33-year-old's need for gradual reintegration to regain peak form.
Manchester City has struggled recently, enduring seven matches without a win and slipping to fifth in the Premier League table, which Guardiola partly attributes to a series of key injuries across the squad.
De Bruyne, whose contract expires at the end of the season, reportedly paused renewal talks to focus on recovering his fitness, while receiving interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer.
Guardiola hinted at potential January transfer activity to address the team's injury concerns and stated his desire to continue leading the club despite recent challenges.