Man City boss Pep Guardiola opens up on Kevin De Bruyne's recent form urging midfielder to get basics right

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is known for being brutally honest about his players, and this time he called on star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to get better after his recent bad patch of form.

Manchester City has not been in their usual form this season. Currently, they are five points behind league leaders Arsenal when in previous seasons, they used to be in the lead. They have been dropping unnecessary points and struggling in many games. Part of their bad form is Kevin De Bruyne. Even though he is the league’s top assist provider this season, he has not been in his element.

Man City 1-3 Lyon: Five talking points as Pep Guardiola gets it wrong in Champions League - Mirror Online — The City has been struggling since Kevin De Bruyne entered a bad patch of form.

The Belgian midfielder was dropped from the starting lineup in four out of the last seven league games. He was even on the bench during the difficult win against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Manchester City star Kyle Walker under police investigation after pub exposure as shocking video surfaces of him fondling woman.

What did Guardiola say about Kevin De Bruyne?

Many have started voicing their opinion that Kevin De Bruyne has lost his status as the best midfielder in the league. Guardiola also spoke about the issue in a pre-match press conference ahead of the game against RB Leipzig. He said, “It’s been a difficult season for all of us, me included, due to the World Cup and many things.”

“I’m not going to discover [how good] Kevin [is]. What I’d like – I spoke many times to him – is to go to the easy principles and do it well. He has an incredible ability to make an assist, score goals, and see passes like no one else.

🗣️ "He has incredible ability"

Pep Guardiola urges Kevin De Bruyne to get back to basics to rediscover his form 🔵💪 pic.twitter.com/P78rWnZyBE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 14, 2023

“But I always have the belief that they will increase and get better when the simple things [are done]: like don’t lose the ball, the mobility, the incredible capacity to be active in the movement.

He then explained simply what he needs from Kevin to prove he is capable of returning to the starting lineup, “The simple things: do it again better and better. When this is going to happen the rest will come along.”

On Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace, De Bruyne was brought in as a substitute though he couldn’t do much. He was also having a good partnership with Erling Braut Haaland before the Belgian midfielder stopped performing like before.

De Bruyne has had to make do with being on the bench a few times recently. Image: Alamy — The midfielder has to step up in order to help City’s title race.

Only five points separate Manchester City from Arsenal. They face RB Leipzig at home tonight and then Burnley at the FA Cup on Saturday. Kevin De Bruyne needs to step up soon if City aims to win both the Premier League and the Champions League.

What do you think about Pep Guardiola’s comments? Do you think Kevin De Bruyne can return back to his best? Or are his best days past him? Let us know your opinions in the comments down below!