Kevin De Bruyne Reflects on Return and Pressure to Perform

Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City’s midfield maestro, has opened up about his unique journey back to the pitch after a six-month absence due to injury. In a recent interview, the Belgian playmaker shared his thoughts on his performance, the pressure to deliver, and his role in nurturing young talents within the squad.

Reflecting on his return to action, De Bruyne acknowledged the challenges of coming back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines. “It was good. It’s a very untypical season after being out for six months then coming back,” he remarked. “Sometimes, I feel good and sometimes I need a bit of time for my body. I’ve tried to prepare myself as best as possible. It’s something that’s never happened to me before in my life. I just try to do the job as good as possible. Today it went really well.”

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De Bruyne’s candidness extended to discussing the pressure to perform at the highest level, particularly with fierce competition within the squad. “Yeah, I do feel the pressure because these guys keep me on my toes. I don’t expect to just be given my place,” he admitted. “Sometimes it’s hard, and if I don’t perform well then I won’t play. Phil [Foden] has been amazing this season, so he deserves it. It keeps me on my toes to give me that little push.”

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Despite his stellar performances on the pitch, De Bruyne expressed his disdain for early kick-offs, emphasizing the importance of rest and recovery between matches. “Now that we won, I like it, but I don’t like early kick-offs to be honest,” he quipped. “We can just try to play as good as possible. Now we can look at the games and see how they do. We have to go home, have a little rest, and get ready for the game on Tuesday.”

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Beyond his individual contributions on the field, De Bruyne highlighted his role in mentoring young players like Phil Foden, emphasizing leading by example. “I just try to be more of an example with the way I am on the pitch,” he explained. “I’m not the person who will tell them how to live their life as that is a personal thing. I try to give my best from day one. I’ve been with Phil for about seven years now, so I don’t feel he’s a youngster anymore. He’s an established superstar in our team; he’s been here that long. He’s just amazing.”

De Bruyne’s insights into his return to form and his commitment to supporting his teammates provide a glimpse into his leadership both on and off the pitch. As Manchester City continues its pursuit of success on multiple fronts, De Bruyne’s influence remains instrumental in driving the team forward.