Kevin De Bruyne injury admission gives Man City a new focus

Maybe now we know why Pep Guardiola was so cagey when putting a timescale on Kevin De Bruyne's return from injury.

After De Bruyne underwent surgery on his problematic hamstring at the start of the season, Guardiola's return dates for his talisman ranged from December to February.

More recently, the manager has suggested that De Bruyne could be recovering ahead of schedule, offering hope to Manchester City fans that he could be back sooner than feared. However, a new revelation from De Bruyne suggests there is still no return date and that the long-term impacts of his surgery could be unknown whenever he does return.

ALSO READ: ‘I’ve never experienced this’ - Man City hero Kevin De Bruyne shares injury update

ALSO READ: Police investigation launched as Man City game stopped after racist abuse allegedly aimed at player

"We are now three months in and I am doing very well, everything on track," he said this week. "But they have not given me a deadline for when I will be able to play football again.”

"They want everything to be completely fine when I restart. This is an injury due to the succession of matches and risks I have taken throughout my injury. I already have more than 700 matches on the counter. Actually, you can compare it to a car that once had to go to the garage for major maintenance."

If De Bruyne is not able to return as planned, or may not be the same player when he does return, that gives City and Guardiola a new focus.

Julian Alvarez has excelled in the role behind Erling Haaland and was recently named the seventh-best player in the world at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Phil Foden has looked dangerous in a second number ten role, inverting next to Alvarez, while Bernardo Silva and Rico Lewis have shown