Manchester City’s defence of the Premier League title will be kicked into gear sans the services of an absolutely pivotal member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, according to reports.
The Sky Blues star in question? Kevin De Bruyne.
Midfielder De Bruyne, of course, set pulses racing across the City fanbase earlier this month.
This came upon the Belgian international being forced into a premature departure from the club’s Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan.
Kevin De Bruyne is forced off with an injury in the first half of the Champions League final 😓
Heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/jBA8zhV4Be
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 10, 2023
And though his teammates, to their credit, ultimately battled on to a first-ever Champions League crown, De Bruyne’s injury looks set to prove a costly one.
This comes amid claims that the former Chelsea starlet will be unavailable for selection upon the 2023/24 campaign kicking into gear.
Though the issue is not expected to require surgery, the 31-year-old, in turn, will be left with no choice but to sit out both City’s Community Shield showdown with Arsenal, and Premier League curtain-raiser against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Hope remains, though, that KDB will be ready to feature in at least some capacity in the Citizens’ European Super Cup meeting with Sevilla on August 17th.
Kevin De Bruyne will miss the start of #ManCity‘s new season after suffering a Grade Three hamstring tear during the #UCL final vs Inter. The problem does not require surgery over the summer.
[via @DailyStar_Sport]
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 25, 2023
Manchester United star to join Borussia Dortmund
Mikel Arteta speaks on Arsenal transfer budget plus Declan Rice & Kai Havertz transfers