DE BRUY WONDER
Kevin comeback is just perfect for title run-in
KEVIN DE BRUYNE admits even he has been surprised by his latest comeback.
The Manchester City midfielder was out for nearly six months with a hamstring injury but has taken no time to return to his best form since regaining full fitness.
De Bruyne has provided 11 assists in his 12 games this season, including four for Erling Haaland in the FA Cup win at Luton on Tuesday night.
The Belgian playmaker insisted that he was always confident of coming back, even if he had a minor scare when he missed City’s home game with Brentford last week, but he just did not want to take a risk.
However, it is the way in which he has hit the ground running which has pleased him and will only strengthen City’s belief that they can repeat last season’s Treble heroics and also win a historic fourth consecutive title.
De Bruyne said: “I did not worry but I did not expect to come back in this way, if I am being honest.
“I feel good. I think only against Brentford I was a little bit tired and I had a kick on my other hamstring. I just wanted to make sure that I didn’t risk that but I feel fine and I hope to maintain that.
“Normally I just play on but that’s mostly been my downfall before! In a way, I try to take care of myself but I also make decisions.
“Since I came back my hamstring for the surgery has been great, so I’m very happy about that. But I know if you don’t play for six months and come back you’re going to get niggles everywhere else. It’s normal.”
De Bruyne admits his understanding with Haaland is vital and is the driving force as to why they can dream of another Treble.
They are into the FA Cup quarterfinal, one game away from the Champions League quarter-final and are well placed in the title race. If there was any fear of a drop off after last season, you cannot see it.
De Bruyne added: “Erling is that prolific and he makes the runs in the box and we create a lot of chances for him. It works really well together. He’s scored since he was young and I don’t think that will change.
“We are in all the competitions that we need to be and we are fighting for them.
“You hear about other teams, sometimes there is a drop off.
“But, if we win or don’t win, we are fighting until the end and so the drop off has not been that much.
“It is a bit of everything. You need a bit of luck, you need quality, you need mentality. It all works together.
“Obviously, most of the big games come in March for us. If you are close to the top after March, you basically fight to the end in the games that are coming.
“We try and get through that as much as possible and see where we are.”