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Pep Guardiola will keep an eye on Kevin De Bruyne’s workload because his star midfielder can’t help but rack up miles.
Kevin De Bruyne still runs hungry for a footballer outside of the league despite becoming one of the top stars in world soccer.
That is to say Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s assessment in the midst of a busy festive schedule where the ability of its players to withstand the tough yards will be put to the test.
Ilkay Goals Gundogan and Ferran Torres watched City crush Newcastle United 2-0 on Boxing Daywhile back-to-back days out of the Premier League at Everton and Chelsea before an EFL Cup semi-final at Manchester United on January 6 means this could represent a decisive stretch of the season for Guardiola’s side.
De Bruyne completed 90 minutes against Newcastle, his 12th time in 14 Premier League games this season.
Guardiola has sought to manage his workload elsewhere, with the The Belgium playmaker was left without four Champions League games as City crossed their group.
Last week’s 4-1 EFL Cup quarter-final victory at Arsenal came with De Bruyne convalescing in Manchester and, with City clustered in a congested group behind defending champion Liverpool, Guardiola wants last season’s PFA Players Player of the Year to be shooting full steam at the top flight.
De Bruyne one of the biggest stars in world football
“We need it. Kevin is one of the biggest stars in the world right now and runs off the ball like he’s a conference player. “ He said, acknowledging the 29-year-old’s apparent inability to play without the throttle.
“He is an outstanding player, I know how important he is to us.
“Sometimes, for example, like in the game against Arsenal, I didn’t travel. I’d rather have him fit and focused in the Premier League.
“The other competitions are important, but right now we don’t want to be far, far from the top of the league.
“We’re going to find our rhythm and we’re going to be near the top of the league, hopefully in the last eight or 10 league games, being there to fight the teams above us.”
Complicated trip to Goodison
Before Monday’s game at Goodison Park, De Bruyne has covered 127.5 kilometers in the Premier League this season, second only to Rodri in the City squad, although the Spanish international has started every game to mark 148.5 km.
With 179 sprints, De Bruyne is only behind notable sprinters Raheem Sterling (254) and Kyle Walker (219) this period.
His famous creativity remains intact, with only Jack Grealish (49) and Bruno Fernandes (44) generating more scoring opportunities than De Bruyne (42).
Seven assists, all from open play, placed him second in the division behind Harry Kane (10).
These numbers have been piling up despite City rarely getting anywhere near their best overall excitement level in 2020-21.Although Guardiola saw some encouraging signs in that regard against Newcastle.
“[I’m happy] because we play very well. We play to the tempo [we need to],” He explained.
“We won games in the recent past, this season, where we weren’t playing at the right pace.
“Soccer is time. Without the ball everyone runs, but with the ball we have to play at a pace and not hide.
“He doesn’t just pass the ball. Everybody has to be in position. Then at the right time, several players in various positions make a blast. This was maybe one of the first days we saw him [this season]. “
Agüero returns to attack the City
Short range faults, with Raheem Sterling once again among the culprits, it remained a feature of the performance: City scored in just two of their seven ‘big chances’ – which means that Sergio Agüero getting closer to match fitness is a timely boost.
“We missed two goals from four or five meters to the finish line. It always happens, we have to improve this. We know it,” Guardiola added. having featured City’s all-time top scorer, Agüero, for a backup cameo against Newcastle.
“The very good news is that in the 15 or 20 minutes that Sergio played we saw him strong, dynamic and good. It is incredible news for him. We need him. Absolutely.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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