Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the club will have to consider whether to offer legendary midfielder Kevin de Bruyne a new contract to stay at the club.
The 33-year-old playmaker has been influential since joining City from Wolfsburg for £55m in 2015, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups and the Champions League.
But he has struggled to get into the game this season, scoring twice in 17 appearances.
Guardiola said: “It’s none of my business if he does a new deal.
Find the accuracy from @KevinDeBruyne 👌 pic.twitter.com/FZNBnZDwLv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
“He’s had problems in the last year and a half like many players, but when he’s consistent and fit he’s a very important player for us. A decisive player for us.
“But it’s about how he will perform for us until the end of the season, the club, his age and a lot of other things, so I think the club has to think about that.”
“He should have more minutes”
City won at Leicester last time out but start the new year in sixth place in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.
One player who impressed at Leicester was James McAtee, who was excellent after replacing Phil Foden but barely featured all season.
Guardiola said: “He made me think he should get more minutes.
“But he’s young and there are a lot of games to play. I have a lot of respect for how he conducts himself in the locker room.”
McAtee could feature again as City face West Ham on Saturday, with defender Ruben Dias close to a return.
Guardiola is unsure whether he will add to his squad this month, with January signings proving difficult to achieve.
He said: “I don’t know at the moment. It’s not easy and it won’t be easy.
“Maybe we’ll sign or maybe we won’t sign anyone.
“The club must be wise. To add players in the situation we are in when there are a lot of stable injured players, then the club has to do it, but I don’t know if it will be possible to do it.”
