It was a great start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign as City saw off Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor but the only downside was the sight of De Bruyne being forced off midway through the first half.
The City boss, speaking in his UEFA Super Cup press conference, revealed that a decision will be taken ‘in the next days’ on whether the Belgian midfielder will need surgery to repair the problem.
“It’s a serious injury,” Guardiola told waiting media.
“We have to decide on surgery but he will be a few months out.”
Asked when the decision would be taken, he revealed: “In the next days”.
And on the worse case scenario, the boss added: “Surgery would be, I don’t know, three or four months out.”
CITY V SEVILLA | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Guardiola spoke of his disappointment in losing De Bruyne for a sustained period of time because of his ‘specific qualities’ but he did insist that the team must ‘look forward’ and lean into the options available in his absence.
“First of all, the injury to Kevin is a blow and big loss for us,” he continued.
“Kevin has specific qualities. You can lose it for one or two games but for a long time this is tough for us.
“But we have to look forward and we have alternatives there at other options.
“[There are] opportunities now for the other ones - life gives you that - and I am pretty sure they will take it.”
One man who is able to step up and star in the middle of the park is Phil Foden.
Foden can play out wide but also in the central ground – and Guardiola admitted the 23-year-old is an option.
“Yes he can play there and he can play outside as well,” added the boss.
“But the club since day one gave me a really good squad and we are going to find a solution.”
De Bruyne obviously now misses out in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla tomorrow night as City eye another trophy after our Treble across 2022/23.
But one man who will be available is Josko Gvardiol, who came on for his debut against the Clarets on the opening day victory.
Guardiola was happy with the display of the centre-half at Turf Moor and says he’s ‘more than ready to do it’ in Athens.
“I am really pleased for his debut,” he added.
CITY V SEVILLA | MATCH PREVIEW
“Unfortunately we didn’t have much time to train together because of the schedule we have.
“After the game against Newcastle we have eight days to do training sessions.
“So step by step they will learn. But he is here and he is more than ready to do it.”
