Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has responded to claims that “something isn’t right" between himself and Kevin De Bruyne.
This comes after Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher made comments about a potential feud between Guardiola and the City midfielder.
During the fallout of City’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Carragher claimed “something isn’t right” while Neville described it as an “unusual, bizarre, strange” situation.
Of course, the Belgium midfielder has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and has been linked with a potential move away from the club this summer – with his current contract set to expire in June 2025.
De Bruyne, 33, has played just 11 times so far this season, having been sidelined due to a hamstring and abdominal injury.
However, Guardiola has rubbished Neville and Carragher’s notion that there is an issue between the pair.
"People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin [De Bruyne]," he said in a press conference on Tuesday.
"Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?
"He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club. I’m desperate to have his best.
Kevin De Bruyne has featured sporadically this season (Credit:Getty)
Kevin De Bruyne has featured sporadically this season (Credit:Getty)
"But he’s been five months injured and two months injured. He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best."
"I’d love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27," added Guardiola.
"He would love it too.
"But he is not 26 or 27 any more. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones, and he is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.
"It’s normal, it’s nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons.
"I know he is desperate to help us, he gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have."
The former Chelsea midfielder has featured for a total of 72 minutes across five substitute appearances since recovering from an abdominal issue in November.
City will aim to end their seven games winless run against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad on Wednesday evening.