FOWLER Pep’s City have got such X Factor they WON’T miss De Bruyne
forever. Back then, you heard knee ligaments, and your blood chilled as a footballer.
It could mean your career was threatened, at least in terms of you never coming back quite the same player. Or taking an eternity to return to the same level. Now they isolate weak points in the joints, work on them and have ways of making them stronger.
Sometimes, it can put stresses on other areas and cause associated injuries, but they are all just a minor consequence, not a major issue. I think City have an advantage with De Bruyne in another area too. You look at his talent, goals from midfield, one of those players so comfortable in possession, sees a pass, can do the work in covering the ground tactically.
Essentially, he epitomises everything good in a midfielder. And you know where that usually sets off klaxons blaring? The Nou Camp and the Bernabeu recruitment departments. He is in the bracket with what he can do that Xavi was, that Iniesta was.
I’m not saying he’s on that level yet, but he has that all-round ability. And any other club, they would be facing an impossible fight to keep him.
My former club though, with their money and their political power in world football, they are on a different plane to the rest of the Premier League.
The club, their supporters, can rest easy he’s going nowhere. Players who go there don’t leave unless they’re not wanted.
You look at Raheem Sterling as an example. His agent seemed to be kicking off, seemed to be angling for a move.
Now he’s apparently agreed a new contract. He’s looked at it, and thought, where else can I go?
City are the team to beat this season, in the Premier League, in the Champions League, with or without De Bruyne.
I think that defeat by Lyon was exactly what they needed, a kick up the backside at the perfect moment.
It has done them the world of good, and any rival supporters clinging on to the hope De Bruyne’s injury may level the playing field, I don’t think I’ve got good news for them.