De Bruyne’s Diminishing Fitness
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Gary Neville analyzes Man City’s concerning performance post-Tottenham match
Kevin De Bruyne’s return to action against Tottenham came as a late substitution in the 74th minute, long after the match’s direction had been determined. Throughout Manchester City’s troubling stretch of five consecutive losses, he has only managed to clock a mere 38 minutes of playtime.
His ongoing battle with fitness, stemming from a hamstring injury sustained in September, presents a significant challenge for Pep Guardiola. While City managed to cope without him for much of the previous season, the current situation is exacerbated by Rodri’s absence from the midfield, making it a tougher scenario.
Since the Champions League match against Inter two months ago, De Bruyne has not been in the starting lineup. At 33 years old, with over 700 professional matches to his name, the strain is clearly taking its toll, resulting in recurring hamstring issues.
Guardiola is keen to have De Bruyne back in the starting eleven soon. However, similar to his limited appearance against Spurs, there is concern that he may return too late. The last two years have shown that his body is becoming increasingly unreliable. At 34, questions are also being raised about Kyle Walker’s capacity to cope in high-pressure situations. The alarming sight of Timo Werner outpacing him for Tottenham’s fourth goal raised eyebrows, as Walker has traditionally depended on his speed to navigate tricky situations. Although he still registers a commendable top speed of 33.61 kilometers per hour this season, it does not place him among the top 100 players in the Premier League. While some data may fluctuate based on situational needs, this trend is troubling and highlights a potential decline.
