Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that Manchester City’s recent struggles are due to the aging squad. The team is grappling with a five-match losing streak, which has put the spotlight on veteran players like Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord, Guardiola emphasized that the team’s challenges stem primarily from an injury crisis rather than the players’ age. However, he remained non-committal about De Bruyne’s long-term future at the club.
“There are players aged 23 who haven’t performed well,” Guardiola remarked. “The real issue is the lack of available players. Managing one or two injuries is feasible, but losing four or five key players becomes difficult. Perhaps not five consecutive losses, but dips like this can occur.
“No team in the world avoids setbacks. It’s never about blaming one player; it’s a combination of small factors. If there were a single cause, I’d address it. But it’s not that simple. Right now, it’s not about tactics—it’s about playing with determination to win.”
Learning from Adversity
Guardiola highlighted how these tough moments are valuable learning experiences.
“I learn to stay calm in such situations. Sometimes I get angry, but the next morning over coffee, I remind myself to stay composed. This is normal after a game. What happens in the past influences the present in critical ways.
“At the start of the season, we were leading, and now we’re still second. It’s not purely about results—it’s about performance. At the beginning of the campaign, our displays were excellent, except for the Bournemouth game.”
De Bruyne’s Recovery and Future Uncertainty
Guardiola acknowledged that Kevin De Bruyne has yet to regain his top form following his injury.
“He’s working hard to return to his best. He’s no longer 26, 27, or 28 years old. Before the Spurs game, he admitted it was the first day he didn’t feel capable of performing at his peak. Coming back after five months away, we had to ease him in gradually—15, 30, then 45 minutes.
“When Kevin can fully train again, he will contribute something special because he’s a one-of-a-kind player.”
When asked about De Bruyne’s future, Guardiola was candid: “That’s up to Kevin. Whether it’s the next season or beyond, he will decide what’s best for him and the team. Like David Silva before him, he won’t want to be in a position where he can’t play regularly. When he’s fit, he needs to play.”
Guardiola’s comments reflect a balance of optimism and realism as City seeks to overcome its current challenges and regain form.
