WONDER Guardiola says star man doesn’t need extra love
PEP GUARDIOLA says he doesn’t have to seduce Kevin De Bruyne to become a world-beater – because the Belgium star is driven to succeed all by himself. Midfield maestro De Bruyne, 27, has been handed the captaincy and put on penalty duty by the Blues boss for a crucial part of the season.
But Guardiola insists none of the added responsibility will be needed to entice the classy star to take his game to the next level. He said: “Honestly, with these types of players the big challenge comes from inside themselves.
“If you have to push them to be something special they are not big, big, big players. I don’t believe too much in trying to seduce them to become b e t t e r. They know what it takes to improve – so it has to come from them. “The big things in sport always come from inside the players, not the trainers. The best players never complain to the manager or the club because they know it is up to them to become better day by day.
“The others, they are the ones who make reasons why they can’t do it.
“That’s why they change clubs all the time and never end up with a top club.
“But the big players always look at themselves.”
De Bruyne was hampered by injury last season, scoring six goals in his 32 City games compared to nine in 34 matches so far this campaign.
And Guardiola has marvelled at his influence on his side this season – and his magical display against Real Madrid.
He added: “It’s not necessary for me to say absolutely anything about Kevin any more.
“I’d just say, ‘Look he plays.’
“The performance level, the continuity, the influence in our final third and on our finishing, the desire, his calmness and positivity.
“I asked him after the game in Madrid, ‘Kevin, what did you feel before you took that penalty?’ And he just said, ‘I’m going to score.’
“He doesn’t feel much pressure, he likes to play in the big events, he’s an exceptional player.
“I say to him, ‘Kevin, don’t forget, do the simple things properly,’ because sometimes he’s alone and might lose the ball.
“He’s able to see something special and you have the spaces no one else can see but even with that at how he’s improving and improving. He’s not 34. He still has a lot of years to play and always you have the feeling when he’s on the pitch that he’s never disconnected, even if he’s not influencing the game at that moment.
“It’s important to be like that. “For the equaliser in Madrid I didn’t speak to him but I think he crossed to Gabriel Jesus to score without knowing Gabriel was there but thinking, ‘Gabriel, you have to be there.’
“That’s the best way to express the talent Kevin has – he has the ball and knows a team-mate has to be there because the space will be there for him to exploit.
“And when he finds himself in those positions the strikers just know the ball is coming.”
City might not win the Premier League with Liverpool steaming towards glory – but De Bruyne believes victory over Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup Final today can kick-start a strong finish and even more silverware.
He said: “Wembley is obviously a special stadium and we’re lucky to have so many good memories of playing there. That’s all valuable to us.
“Going there means we’re doing things right and now we have to finish the job. There’s a long way to go this season and we’re keen to win as many trophies as possible.
“My numbers are good but I won’t remember the season for the number of goals I scored or chances I made.
“You remember a season for the games and trophies that you won and that’s what we’re hoping to do.”