Speaking recently on the Why Always Us? podcast, Sam Lee provided an update on the fitness of Manchester City midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne.
Having picked up a hamstring injury in City’s 2-0 victory against Aston Villa back in January, De Bruyne has missed the club’s last five Premier League fixtures, as well as two FA Cup ties.
However, despite the £108 million-rated 29-year-old’s absence, Pep Guardiola’s side have been in rather astonishing form, winning all seven of their fixtures without the influential midfielder, scoring 21 goals and conceding just three times along the way.
Although, with the club’s Champions League campaign set to resume next week, De Bruyne’s return to the side would be a timely boost for Guardiola, particularly as Ilkay Gundogan – who has scored six goals and provided three assists since De Bruyne’s injury – has himself picked up a groin injury.
And, Lee had some positive words to say when going into detail on the possible return of De Bruyne during a recent episode of the Why Always Us? podcast, with the journalist claiming that the Belgium international could be in contention for starting spot against Borussia Monchengladbach next week.
He said: “De Bruyne was hoping two to three weeks, but I think, behind the scenes, everybody was thinking the Champions League game – the first one, which is in about 10 days – would be the goal. But it sounds like, if he’s returning to training this week, he might be in contention for that, certainly.”
Will De Bruyne will be back for the CL?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Sam Lee’s comments regarding Kevin De Bruyne’s return…
While City have been in imperious form without De Bruyne in the side, it would be difficult to argue that the midfielder would not be a huge miss for the club in the Champions League, as, over his two European appearances so far this season, the 29-year-old has provided four assists and averaged a WhoScored match rating of 8.33 – ranking him as the club’s best player in the competition.
However, with Lee suggesting that De Bruyne could well be in contention to play against Gladbach – which has since been followed by Guardiola’s confirmation of his return to training – it seems as if the midfielder’s absence will not be something that provides Guardiola with a headache in the run-up to the resumption of their Champions League campaign.