Kevin De Bruyne has already given Kyle Walker his Man City captaincy blessing

Now it all makes sense. Why Kyle Walker and Pep Guardiola were so shifty about the real identity of Manchester City's captain back in August.

Guardiola confirmed the five members of the captaincy group after August's vote, but dismissed the idea that the order was important. By the process of elimination we can work out Bernardo Silva is fifth, Ruben Dias fourth, Rodri third, and then Walker and Kevin De Bruyne filled the top two places.

Walker confirmed he would wear the armband for now but also swerved the question of who is the new club captain, echoing Guardiola that the order was irrelevant. Now De Bruyne is back in the squad for the first time since the vote and he has confirmed Walker topped the pile and is City's new club captain.

ALSO READ: Man City new captain confirmed after Kevin De Bruyne return

ALSO READ: Kevin De Bruyne rejects injury claims and sets out Man City comeback plan

With De Bruyne absent between August and December, City stayed tight lipped on which of De Bruyne or Walker was the new club captain. There were a few clues but most expected the shifty answers were because De Bruyne would return from injury and take his place as City's skipper having been vice-captain behind Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho.

De Bruyne did indeed take the armband from Dias when he made his comeback against Huddersfield but Walker was not on the pitch so fans were still none-the-wiser. When he stopped to speak to reporters after the FA Cup win, De Bruyne finally confirmed the outcome of the vote.

De Bruyne felt like a natural successor to Gundogan and is adored by fans and players alike having been through every step of City's journey. He wore the armband on numerous occasions when Gundogan or Fernandinho were not