SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Fulham vs. Man Utd: 5 hrs 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
MC
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 33
Apr 3, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
CC
Cardiff City logo

2-0

De Bruyne (6'), Sane (44')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Kevin De Bruyne admits injuries have affected Manchester City form

:Headline: Kevin De Bruyne admits injuries have affected Manchester City form: ID:355330: from db_amp
The Belgium international has suffered two significant knee problems this season.
De Bruyne admits injuries have affected form

Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he may not get back to his best this season as he aims to lift Manchester City's quadruple bid.

De Bruyne opened the scoring in City's 2-0 win over Cardiff on Wednesday and played the full 90 minutes to complete his latest comeback in a season ruined by injury.

His sixth-minute finish from a tight angle offered reminders of De Bruyne's sparkling form last season, but he later admitted it was a mis-hit cross and that it was unrealistic for him to rediscover his best form in the final weeks of the campaign.

"To be fair I don't think I'm going to be like last year," the 27-year-old said. "I'm not setting a goal for myself anymore.

"It's been hard in the end because I have had to come back four times now in the whole season.

"I try to be at the best level possible but I'm just trying to help the team win some titles. If I can help with that I'll be happy."

De Bruyne has suffered two significant knee injuries this season and was sidelined just before the international break with a hamstring problem.

The goal now is to stay fit for the final six weeks of the campaign as City continue to compete on three fronts, locked in a close title race with Liverpool while also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Wednesday's match was De Bruyne's 25th appearance of the season, and his first full 90 minutes since February 27, a far cry from last campaign when he was one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's team-sheet.

"Whatever happens, happens for me this year," the Belgian added. "I want to do what I can and play at my best level but I won't compare myself to last year when I played 70 games and was on such a roll.

"I've had to fight back, mentally, and it's been tough because you can be injured once or twice but to be injured four times is hard work, I'm just happy to be back playing football."

Wednesday night also saw Callum Hudson-Odoi make his first Premier League start for De Bruyne's former club Chelsea, and the Belgian admitted he is impressed by the depth of young English talent.

"I told the England guys a week ago that you should win the Euros," he said. "I think they are favourites, with France.

"I see the guys already established, and those coming up, so the future looks really good.

"Will they win it? I don't know, because only one team can win it but you have a chance to do well in the next 10 years."

amp_article__355330 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-04-04 15:12:30:
html db last update - 2019-04-04 15:12:30 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Kevin De Bruyne

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2210663334-136
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham228953430433
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2275102732-526
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs22731245351024
16Everton225891928-923
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
18Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2313191653-376
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .