Kevin De Bruyne hands Man City latest blow as Arsenal get new Premier League title boost

Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City contract expires in the summer and the Belgium star has yet to decide on his future, with Pep Guardiola making a worrying admission

Pep Guardiola has candidly expressed his doubts about Kevin De Bruyne‘s future at Manchester City if the Belgian does not regain his top form. De Bruyne’s contract, due to expire in July, hangs in the balance as the midfield maestro battles with injury-related issues, admitting that his last significant appearance was against Inter Milan in September’s Champions League match.

Guardiola conveyed his belief that De Bruyne, aged 33 and a pivotal figure since his £55million move from Wolfsburg in 2015, would not settle for a diminished role, stating: “Kevin, I’m pretty sure, will be honest. He will want to finish here after this season or the next one, or the next one, at his best. I don’t think he will be here when he believes he doesn’t feel he can be the Kevin that can produce and help the team like he has done in the last decade. I’m pretty sure of that.”

Guardiola further compared the situation to that of former player David Silva, suggesting that De Bruyne will make the optimal choice for both himself and the team and will not accept being anything less than his best self. “In these kind of situations, like David Silva was, he will decide the best for him and the team because I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to be in the position that cannot be – I’m not saying playing every three days for 11 months – but when he performs he has to play as the best Kevin as possible, and unfortunately with the injuries he could not deliver.”