Pep Guardiola thinks Kevin De Bruyne has more to give as Manchester City chase multiple trophies again. The Belgian playmaker had a difficult six months in 2021 from being hospitalised in the Champions League final to playing through snapped ankle ligaments at Euro 2020 and then contracting Covid-19 just when he was finding his rhythm. He spoke immediately after the match of his belief that the player could still get better, and clarified how in a later interview.
Pep Guardiola said: “I know Kevin for six years together. When I arrived he was already here and then we started winning together. In the bad moments, we suffer together. Nothing we have done would be possible without him. This season he has struggled for many reasons, our job as a manager is to demand more. I want to take them out of their comfort zone, the belief they can do better. The rhythm is the main thing and I think Kevin can do it. I want more because I know he can do it, that’s nice. I want him to play better in some games, some moments when we have to push because I know he can.”
Most of the praise should sit with De Bruyne though, who produced a moment of quality that nobody else on the pitch managed over the 90 minutes. Guardiola was delighted with the way his team dealt with Chelsea all game and stopped them threatening Ederson’s goal, but also admitted that one bit of individual brilliance cut through.
Pep Guardiola said: “We won for many reasons but in the end because one guy received an exceptional pass from Joao, he drove and drove and then put the ball in the corner. These games can be won in this way – the quality from Kevin but another day from Jack [Grealish], Phil, Raheem [Sterling], or whoever – at the end Kevin got the ball and won the game. That’s it.”
