wintime999 Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has hit back at Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher for instigating a rift between him and Kevin De Bruyne during his pre-season press conference ahead of the Forest clash on December 4. wintime999

De Bruyne last started in the Champions League against Inter Milan in mid-September, then suffered a hamstring injury and was out for over a month and a half, only to return in the Champions League, where he lost to Sporting Lisbon in early November. 

Then ‘KDB’ was a substitute in all games against Brighton, Spurs, UCL match against Feyenoord and came on as a 72nd minute player in a 0-2 loss to Liverpool.

For this reason, two Sky Sports pundits have suggested that Pep has a problem with De Bruyne, which has been compounded by BBC Sport podcast hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards. 

This time, the 53-year-old coach came out to scold ‘Nev’ and ‘Carra’, saying that they were inciting people to hate each other. In fact, there were no problems between him and his favorite teammates.

“People say I have a problem with Kevin – do you think I don’t want to use him as a regular?” Guardiola replied with a question. 

At the same time, he also sarcastically said that if he wanted to instigate something, he could do so.

“No, I don’t want Kevin to play.” 

“The most talented player in the final third, I don’t want him. I have personal problems with him after working together for more than 9 years.” 

“That guy brought great success to this club – if I had the choice, I would have used him like he was on the rise, 26, 27, he would have been the same – but De Bruyne is not 26, 27 anymore.” 

“Kevin has a history of serious injuries and long recovery times, and he is someone who needs to be physically fit to play in a space-seeking, physical way.”

“He needs time to get to his best, just like last season, step by step.” 

“I’m trying and I feel better.”

“I am one of those who really want to get the best De Bruyne back. I also know that he is eager to help us, and he will do everything he can.” 

De Bruyne is hoping to start at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in a bid to end his side’s seven- game winning run.( wintime999 )