The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has been candid regarding Kevin De Bruyne’s health and his ability to play 90 minutes on a regular basis.

In the previous season’s UEFA Champions League final, De Bruyne sustained a hamstring injury and was sidelined. After his recovery, he began the season, but in August, he suffered another injury. On December 30, he made his matchday squad comeback, however he remained on the bench.

Since then, De Bruyne has made two substitute appearances and played 54 minutes. On Saturday, January 13, he appeared from the bench during the 69th minute of Manchester City’s encounter against Newcastle United. The Belgian grabbed the equaliser and set up Oscar Bobb’s winner, all this after City was behind 2-1.

The Manchester City manager spoke about Kevin de Bruyne’s amazing performance against Newcastle United. He attended the post-match press-conference and was all-praise about the Belgian midfielder.

Pep Guardiola said, “Kevin has a lot of experience. In my second season here he was all year injured, and has had muscular problems after that. He managed perfectly after, but last season in the Champions League final he was out and after Burnley he was five months out so we want to take care of him in the right steps. We have to work harder and prepare harder than in the past because he has aged one more year. He’s not 22 any more.”

The Spanish manager added, “The older you get, the more you have to take care of yourself. But hopefully he can handle it because he has done it in the past. The target is to play 90 minutes, 90, 90 in a row and I don’t know when it is going to happen but he’s intelligent and hopefully he will manage it soon.”

Manchester City will benefit greatly from De Bruyne’s comeback. In 359 appearances, the midfielder has tallied 96 goals as well as 154 assists.