Pep Guardiola backs Kevin De Bruyne as struggling Man City ace asks for time off

Manchester City’s maestro Kevin De Bruyne has decided to step back from international matches, garnering support from his club manager Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne, plagued by a pelvic issue that has seen him miss City’s recent fixtures and rule him out for the upcoming clash with Fulham, is focusing on personal fitness over Belgium responsibilities. This decision arrives in the shadow of a prior revelation by teammate Rodri about a potential players strike due to an overwhelming football schedule.

Having been sidelined for five months during the previous season due to a severe hamstring injury, the 33-year-old midfielder has garnered Guardiola’s backing for prioritising his well-being. Guardiola understands De Bruyne’s choice: “He knows his body, everybody knows it.

“From experience, long injuries, after them you have to be careful. He had surgery and was five months out. When that happens, the body becomes unbalanced. He cannot play every three days. He decides for himself (what is best) and people have to understand it.”

The Man City boss further questioned the logic behind expecting De Bruyne to represent his country while he’s still yet to return to club action: “They are humans, with many years injured. The consequences are here. How can he go (with Belgium) when he hasn’t played one game. I never understood that. He cannot play with us, so he cannot play with Belgium.”

Domenico Tedesco, at the helm for Belgium, respected De Bruyne’s physical health concerns and accepted his request not to participate in the upcoming camps. “I had a long phone conversation with Kevin,” Tedesco said. “He has asked to skip this camp and also November, to be able to take care of his body.

“The schedule has become even busier due to the World Cup for clubs. That is why he is not there now and in November. But when it really counts – the World Cup – he will be there.”

Kyle Walker is poised for a milestone as he looks to make his 400th Premier League appearance with Fulham’s upcoming visit. The seasoned defender, who found it tough to hit peak form during England’s journey to the Euro 2024 final, had been omitted from recent national selections.

Nevertheless, Walker’s return to the England squad for the October fixtures resonates with Guardiola’s unwavering faith in him. The manager remarked: “He has to play, like I said many times.

“The players here that have been seven, eight years together, they demand to play, because of what they have done in the past. That is part of history, so perform well right now. This is all that counts.”