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Yes, you can be the best passer in the championship and end up on the bench. This is the strange misadventure that Kevin De Bruyne experienced this weekend. And this is not the first time.
Ultra-decisive this season, KDB has been a little roughed up by Guardiola for a few games. A few weeks ago, the Catalan had already chosen to do without his number 17 against Spurs. This did not prevent his team from winning 4-2. Faced with the same Londoners, the Citizens this time lost away. As a result, we talk a lot more about this noticed absence. And the English media did not fail to highlight the bad choices of the one who is considered the best coach in the world.
”Bringing De Bruyne to the bench in a game you need to win to come within two points of Arsenal? This is madness”, underlines for example the Daily Mail. “Pep Guardiola always tries to come across as the mad professor with strong decisions. And his picks are doing Man City a disservice.continues the newspaper.
Gary Neville: “Pep Guardiola is tinkering at the moment”
This decision did not go unnoticed by the consultants, very popular in England. “For me too, it is a great mystery”said Sky Sports analyst Graeme Souness. “How can you select Julian Alvarez and not Kevin De Bruyne? Alvarez has four goals in 15 appearances, while for me De Bruyne is one of the best, if not the best, attacking midfielder in the world.
For Sky, Gary Neville also had very harsh words for the Spanish technician. “When Tottenham led the Etihad two weeks ago, I thought to myself that Pep Guardiola was tinkering a bit too much”, he began. “I felt the same today when I saw the team sheet without Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte. For the former Old Trafford legend, unease is setting in on the sky-blue side of town. “It’s almost embarrassing to criticize Guardiola and say he was wrong. Especially because he’s been right so many times. Like a few weeks ago finally when he won against Spurs. But something is wrong at City and what is happening is a bit strange at the moment.
Kevin De Bruyne on the podium of the most impactful players in the world
The departure of Cancelo is also in the heads. According to English media, the Portuguese left angry with his coach. Will the same fate be reserved for Kevin De Bruyne? We are obviously still a long way from that.
“A tactical choice”
Asked at the end of the game, Guardiola explained after his team’s defeat. “Putting De Bruyne on the bench was a clear tactical choice”, he announced. “As a substitute, I expected him to make a final assist or run between the lines. It was more difficult in the second half than in the first, but he can do those things.
Still, it’s not for lack of trying. Because the 31-year-old Red Devil has changed the face of his team. In 30 minutes, he attempted two shots, four crosses and delivered three key passes. More than anyone in the field. Including a perfect and luminous pass for Alvarez on a setback free kick that the Argentinian failed to achieve. Of course, this was not the best De Bruyne. But the Belgian showed more during his rise to the game than some holders, like Bernardo Silva for example.
Guardiola doesn’t rule out benching De Bruyne again: ‘There’s huge competition in the team’
“Two or three weeks ago I was asked who I thought would win the league and I said Manchester City”, Neville outbid. “Even after Arsenal’s defeat (Editor’s note against Everton), I said that I was much less certain of that. Especially because of what happened last week. The Cancelo case, the withdrawal of KDB, Dias and Laporte who are still stuck on the bench, it’s starting to do a lot. Everything that is happening is strange. Pep Guardiola is a genius. But it is not beyond criticism.”
Paradoxically, the Manchester Evening News believes that this meeting demonstrated that Kevin De Bruyne was “Manchester City’s most important player”. Especially when Rodri is in a less good phase. “Without KDB and Gundogan, the Spaniard is much more exposed. While Bernardo Silva is not able to protect him enough. Especially when Alvarez is in space normally devoted to De Bruyne and tasked with a more attacking role. Guardiola will have noticed what De Bruyne added against Spurs. Not only did the Belgian show his class, but Rodri was also better once De Bruyne was on the pitch.
One thing is certain, the season is still very long. And Kevin De Bruyne will still be very important this season. The club’s objective is also to shine in the Champions League. A trophy that has eluded them since the takeover of the Emirates. Which means KDB will still have plenty of moments to shine.
