While he reported on Kevin De Bruyne’s injury blow, Pep Guardiola had an interesting reaction that some of us expected during a press conference.
Pep Guardiola knows perfectly that Kevin De Bruyne’s absence directly affects Manchester City’s title shot this season. His recent muscular injury will keep him out of crucial Premier League matches against Liverpool. It will also keep him out of the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur. For this reason, the Catalan manager felt the need to react against the schedule and the powers that be.
We all get the frustration but De Bruyne’s injury came after a direct clash against Jack Grealish, arguably one of the toughest players of the season. But Guardiola wanted to find a guilty party in all of this, and pointing at Jack could affect his possible attempt to sign him next season. Although he has a point in his rant about protecting players, Pep Guardiola’s complaints were loud and clear. De Bruyne himself previously complained about the same issue while on international duty at the end of 2020.
Pep is urging for a solution to this systemic problem.
“To demand they are fit for 11 months playing every three days is impossible,” Guardiola said on Manchester City’s website. “There have been injuries at all the clubs. We knew it was going to happen. We’ve tried to avoid it. We have more medical treatment than ever, better nutritionists, we tried to masseur as much as possible to take care of the players but they are human beings. These amount of games and competitions, at the end the bodies of the players say ‘it’s enough’.
“The players don’t want to get injured but there are injuries, it’s no secret. When we demand five substitutions, it’s for this reason. Why can we do it in the FA Cup but the Premier League we cannot? Is it a special competition? OK, the Premier League voted for it but if you want to protect the players…it’s not because it’s Kevin, it’s many, there are more than ever. There are too many games and competitions and the players suffer. Without Kevin De Bruyne for four or five weeks, the spectators will miss an incredible player, like with other teams and other players, but it is what it is.”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Pep Guardiola
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
