Manchester City's top-four hopes may rely on the brilliance of the Premier League's "best creator" Kevin De Bruyne, Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany tells Sports Mole.
The legendary playmaker is the longest-serving player in Man City's current squad and has won a total of six Premier League titles among many other major trophies during his illustrious 10-year career at the Etihad Stadium.
However, at the age of 33, De Bruyne has been hampered with injury and fitness issues for some time and is now part of a out-of-form Citizens side that are fighting for the top four and not the title, as they currently sit sixth in the table and a whopping 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.
De Bruyne played his first full 90 minutes in the Premier League since September in Man City's much-needed 2-0 win at Leicester City last weekend and was a standout performer for Pep Guardiola's side, playing a key role in the build-up to both goals.
It remains to be seen whether De Bruyne will be handed a second successive start, and make his 400th appearance for Man City, against West Ham United on Saturday, but McInerney believes that the Citizens can ill-afford to cope without their No.17 for too long if they are to secure a top-four finish this term.
"He's still the best creator in the league," McInerney told Sports Mole. "A De Bruyne that plays every week and that's fit is arguably one of the best players in the league. There were one or two games early on this season where he just looked remarkable still, and he's struggled for fitness since then.
'I don't think Man City can accomplish top four without De Bruyne playing regularly'
"He's absolutely crucial. I don't think this City side is currently built to be without De Bruyne. I don't think we've handled transition very well to potential post Kevin De Bruyne world, and maybe it's just fingers-in-the-ears denial pretending it's not happening, but unfortunately it is.
"He is getting older and I'm hoping that at some point these injuries start to settle down, because if we're going to get top four this season, which feels like the new aim given our run of form, I just don't think we can accomplish it without De Bruyne playing regularly.
"I think he's still by far Man City's most expressive and creative outlet, and without him we're struggling for ideas full stop, never mind confidence.
"De Bruyne is still absolutely brilliant, it's just those legs of his and I don't currently have full conviction that De Bruyne will put a really big run of games together and find his very best form. Not that he doesn't want to, I just find it hard to believe that the injuries aren't taking their toll."
De Bruyne is facing an uncertain future at Man City as the Saudi Pro League and MLS-linked star is due to see his current contract expire in six months' time.
The Belgium international, who is now free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, revealed towards the end of last year that he has put contract talks on hold to focus on building up his fitness.
What does the future hold for De Bruyne at Man City?
As things stand, McInerney feels that De Bruyne's time at the Etihad may come to an end this summer, saying: "I'm starting to veer towards the inevitable conclusion of a summer departure.
"I might be wrong and I hope I'm wrong. I absolutely adore the man and he's my favourite ever Manchester City player, it just feels his body right now is struggling to keep up with the demands of what Manchester City need from him.
"It isn't like other years where we've got by with quality from other players and we sort of made do and plugged a few holes. We need him, we really need him. I think he knows that and I think there's a subconscious effort from both himself and Guardiola to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.
"I don't know if that is necessarily what he needs right now. He probably needs a massive break and that's not going to help anyone. The signs of his body letting him down a little bit are there unfortunately."
McInerney remains hopeful that De Bruyne can still make significant contributions for Man City during the second half of this season, adding: "I do think there's still one or two more twists in the Kevin De Bruyne tail left in a blue shirt.
"I think there will be moments of quality that will lead to a big win here and there, and maybe silverware in another competition other than the Premier League.
"I just hope we get to see a few of them because the Premier League and football is a richer place with Kevin De Bruyne near his best form. It'd be a shame if we've already seen the very, very, very best of De Bruyne and there isn't one or two more moments of magic left."
Guardiola was asked about De Bruyne's contract situation at a pre-match press conference on Friday, and said: "It's not my business. He had (injury) problems in the last year, but of course when he is consistent and fit, I have said many times, he is a really important player for us.
"For the club, how he performs and the age he has, the club has to think about it."
Across his 399 appearances for Man City in all competitions, De Bruyne has scored 104 goals and has registered 171 assists, including two goals and two assists in eight Premier League starts this season.
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