Kevin De Bruyne can’t wait to play a key role in Manchester City’s bid for a third successive Premier League title as the Belgian star finally returns to peak form and fitness.
Kevin De Bruyne
London:
The 28-year-old was an influential figure in City’s 2017-18 PL title triumph, but had only a bit-part role in last season’s domestic dominance due to knee and muscular injuries. De Bruyne made just 22 starts in all competitions before returning for the FA final. He proved he was still a force to be reckoned with by winning the Man of the Match award in the thrashing of Watford.
He is confident those injury issues are behind him after proving to be one of the stand-out players during City’s pre-season tour. “I’m fine. What happened last year happens to everybody. I have been a professional for 11 years now and had one season with some injuries,” said De Bruyne. “I just get on with it. Now I feel good. I’m happy I could play a whole pre-season.”
With De Bruyne back in its line-up, City looks more formidable than ever. If it can retain the crown, City will become only the fifth team in the history of English football to clinch three consecutive top-flight titles, after Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United (twice). But Liverpool seems certain to push City all the way once again after it finished just one point behind Guardiola’s team.
And De Bruyne challenged City to maintain the relentless consistency that carried it to last season’s title with 14 successive league wins. “You don’t need to be better, you need to be consistent,” added De Bruyne. “At the end of the year, with all the competitions, maybe you don’t need 95 or 100 points. You need to be just one point ahead of the other ones and whatever you need to do, you need to do. I think Liverpool will be up there, but they all will be there. We have to be consistent.”
Pep Guardiola’s side starts its title defence at West Ham United on Saturday, with De Bruyne providing a reassuring presence for the holder. City has bolstered its treble-winning squad with the record signing of midfielder Rodri, while also adding accomplished full-back Joao Cancelo. But the prospect of De Bruyne driving City forward from midfield is a mouth-watering one.
The 28-year-old was an influential figure in City’s 2017-18 PL title triumph, but had only a bit-part role in last season’s domestic dominance due to knee and muscular injuries. De Bruyne made just 22 starts in all competitions before returning for the FA final. He proved he was still a force to be reckoned with by winning the Man of the Match award in the thrashing of Watford.
He is confident those injury issues are behind him after proving to be one of the stand-out players during City’s pre-season tour. “I’m fine. What happened last year happens to everybody. I have been a professional for 11 years now and had one season with some injuries,” said De Bruyne. “I just get on with it. Now I feel good. I’m happy I could play a whole pre-season.”
With De Bruyne back in its line-up, City looks more formidable than ever. If it can retain the crown, City will become only the fifth team in the history of English football to clinch three consecutive top-flight titles, after Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United (twice). But Liverpool seems certain to push City all the way once again after it finished just one point behind Guardiola’s team.
And De Bruyne challenged City to maintain the relentless consistency that carried it to last season’s title with 14 successive league wins. “You don’t need to be better, you need to be consistent,” added De Bruyne. “At the end of the year, with all the competitions, maybe you don’t need 95 or 100 points. You need to be just one point ahead of the other ones and whatever you need to do, you need to do. I think Liverpool will be up there, but they all will be there. We have to be consistent.”