Manchester City needed just four games to replace Kevin De Bruyne. It is something that even Pep Guardiola would not have been sure of to happen so quickly. Though, Kevin De Bruyne limped off in the victory against Burnley, City have worked miraculously to replace him.
De Bruyne limped past Pep Guardiola during the game at Turf Moor, headed down the tunnel to receive treatment. Guardiola was already jotting down something on notes. Mateo Kovacic was ready to make his debut for the sky blues after arriving from Chelsea.
De Bruyne injury forced Guardiola to worry about City
The opening day victory against Burnley landed with a blow to Manchester City. It was crystal clear that De Bruyne is going to be unavailable, more than just days. Soon, weeks turned into months. This led Guardiola & co to devise a plan B.
On Kevin’s way to tunnel after injury, Burnley manager and former City skipper Vincent Kompany even consoled him. The former Belgian centre back displayed his trademark of leadership and spirit of the game. Guardiola was compelled to have a serious thought about another plan. Even the innovative Catalan thought it might be impossible, but he has been proven wrong.
“The injury is a blow, a big loss,” conceded Guardiola when surgery for De Bruyne was confirmed. “He has specific qualities. For a long time is really tough. We have to look forward. We have alternatives. Kevin is irreplaceable, but we have talented players. They will take it.”
Julian Alvarez, Foden, Jack Grealish and the summer signing Mateo Kovacic, have all stepped up and are giving their everything for the club. The efficient and quietly effective Croatian is not the sole reason oh how City have been able to cope without the Belgium playmaker. Their is more to come from their young talent Jeremy Doku, who has not yet settled his boots in Pep’s tactics.
City might never replace De Bruyne as his impact on the club has been so huge. However, they are coping without him a lot better than even Guardiola could have dreamt.
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