Cityzens, take a seat because this one’s wild. Gary Neville has just dropped a spicy take: something’s not right in Manchester City’s dressing room. And at the heart of it? Kevin De Bruyne, our midfield maestro, being sidelined in some pretty crucial games.
Context? Let’s rewind. Sunday night at Anfield, City faced Liverpool in a match they had to win. Instead, it ended in a 2-0 loss, thanks to Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. That result hurt, but what really stung was seeing De Bruyne coming on as a late sub while the game was slipping away.
Injuries? Or Something Deeper?
Okay, let’s address the obvious. KDB’s hamstring issues have been a recurring nightmare. Last season, he missed 19 games, and this term, he’s already been carefully managed after another flare-up. But does that explain his absence in the starting XI for a match this important?
Gary Neville doesn’t think so. On his podcast, he called the situation “bizarre, strange.” He added: “Why is the best player the Premier League has seen in 10 years not out there? Injuries aside, he’s a leader—he’s got authority, brilliance, and confidence. Something’s definitely going on in that dressing room.”
And if you’re wondering, Neville’s not alone. Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards both chimed in, suggesting there might be tension brewing between Pep Guardiola and De Bruyne.
A Rift with Pep? Say It Ain’t So!
This is where things get juicier. Rumors have been swirling about a possible fallout between Pep and KDB. Match of the Day host Gary Lineker even hinted at it, questioning their recent body language and public statements.
Micah Richards went further, linking the drama to summer reports of De Bruyne’s interest in Saudi Arabia. “De Bruyne is the one who can unlock a game like this,” Richards said. “To leave him out feels off. If there’s no injury, what’s the real reason?”
Context? Remember Pep’s history. He doesn’t shy away from tough calls, even with star players. Just ask Leroy Sané or João Cancelo. Could this be another chapter in Pep’s ruthless approach to managing his squad?
Pep’s Worst Run Ever?
Let’s not ignore the bigger picture here. City are fifth in the league, suffering their fourth straight Premier League loss. For Pep Guardiola, this is uncharted territory.
After the Liverpool game, he admitted, “Teams are good, and we can’t handle it right now.” Ouch. That’s the kind of brutal honesty Cityzens aren’t used to hearing from a manager who’s dominated for years.
But don’t count Pep out just yet. He’s already built two legendary teams at City. “All I can do is be here and find a solution,” he said. Translation? Expect some serious squad shake-ups in January and the summer.
What’s Next for KDB and City?
Here’s where it gets even murkier. De Bruyne’s contract is up this summer, and the whispers of him leaving are getting louder. City fans, could we be seeing the end of an era?
City’s next two games—against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace—are now more than must-wins. They’re opportunities for Pep to prove he’s still got the magic and for KDB to remind everyone why he’s that guy.
Context? This could go one of two ways. Either we see a dramatic reunion with Pep and De Bruyne firing City back into form, or the speculation grows louder, and January becomes all about whether KDB stays or goes.
Over to You, Cityzens
So, what do you think? Is this just Pep being Pep, managing an injury-prone star? Or are we looking at a deeper dressing room rift that could change the club’s future? Whatever the case, one thing’s for sure—this story isn’t over yet.
Let us know your thoughts, theories, and predictions in the comments. We’re listening.
