The England midfielder’s start to life at City has been hampered by niggling injuries with his latest sustained during the 3-3 draw with Barcelona.
But the boss says once he is fully fit, he will be an important component of his matchday squad.
Asked if the current situation was frustrating, Pep said: “Yes of course, for him and for me - and for us.
“Last season he struggled a bit with injuries at Leeds - the shoulder.
“Hopefully, it is the last injury for him, and he can start training and getting minutes in the games.
“In the last game when we took Rodri off and that would have been a great chance for Kalvin to get some minutes and get used to our patterns.
“But the season is long. And he will help us.”
Pep was also asked how long he believes Kevin De Bruyne has left at the top.
Our midfield maestro turned 31 in the summer, but the Blues’ boss believes the Belgian has many more fantastic years ahead of him.
“It is a question for him,” said Pep.
“He has three years left, I think. What I can say is he is miles ahead of last season in this period.
“Much, much better. I don’t feel he will retire soon - that is my feeling.
“He likes it, he is enjoying it and playing at a high level.”
Asked at the Friday press conference if he could ever replace a player like KDB, Pep responded: “It will be so difficult. Not impossible, but not easy.
“The team is the most important thing, but there are players who can do many things, it is not easy.
“But Txiki and the scouting department have to work on that, monitor players and this kind of thing will happen.
“In winter time, maybe six players want to leave – ‘I am not comfortable, I am not happy with Pep’.
“The Club has to be ready.”
Watch the full embargoed section of the press conference on the video above...
