LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Manchester City star, Kevin De Bruyne, has a major hamstring injury, and the team must determine whether or not he will have surgery.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has declared De Bruyne out of competition for several months.
According to Guardiola, who also stated that the club is considering whether to propose the player has surgery to address the issue, injuries to the hamstring suffered by the Belgian midfielder during City’s Premier League opener against Burnley are being evaluated by the team.
De Bruyne was unable to participate in any of City’s preseason games after fracturing his hamstring during the Champions League final.
He started against Burnley after coming off the bench in the Community Shield match against Arsenal.
Guardiola said following that game that perhaps bringing him back into the lineup too soon was a mistake.
“Kevin De Bruyne’s injury is serious one. He will be out for a few months,” Guardiola told a press conference before the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla.
“We have to decide in the next days on surgery but for sure we lose Kevin for some time. We will decide in the next days.
“Surgery is surgery – three or four months out. The injury for Kevin is a blow, a big loss. He has specific qualities.
“For a long time is really tough for us. We have to look forward. We have alternatives. Kevin is irreplaceable, but we have talented players. They will take it.”
Given the seriousness of De Bruyne’s injury, City could be more motivated to buy Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.
The club submitted a $89 million ($70 million) deal, which the Hammers rejected; nevertheless, they are anticipated to submit a second bid for the Brazil international.
Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup match between City and Sevilla offers them the chance to capture their fourth title of the year.