Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola expressed his relief over star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne’s return from injury. The Belgian playmaker registered an assist during his team’s 5-0 thumping of Huddersfield in the FA Cup, marking his return from a five-month absence.
De Bruyne picked up a hamstring injury during City’s 3-0 victory over Burnley in their Premier League opening match in September. He subsequently underwent a hamstring surgery to correct the issue. “He played really good minutes,” Guardiola said of De Bruyne’s performance, adding that he is “delighted” that the central midfielder has returned from injury. “Kevin helps to win games and there are few in the world. Win games; Kevin, [Erling] Haaland, these guys win games.”
City’s season to date has not been ideal, with Guardiola’s side sitting in third place in the Premier League. They trail league leaders Liverpool by five points with a game in hand. Still, City is succeeding in other tournaments, progressing to the next round of the FA Cup and topping Group G in the UEFA Champions League by winning all six of their group games.
