Kevin De Bruyne made just his third game of the season on Sunday afternoon, making his first appearance since August in Manchester City’s 5-0 thumping of Huddersfield Town in the Emirates FA Cup third round.
The key player in Manchester City’s recent success, De Bruyne, had surgery to treat a reoccurring hamstring issue after Burnley dealt him another crushing blow during the first weekend of the Premier League.
The midfielder was pulled off the pitch during the first half of the UEFA Champions League Final in June owing to a hamstring issue, and he also missed much of City’s preseason due to injury.
With the Sky Blues aiming to win a record-tying fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, De Bruyne is expected to return to support Guardiola’s team in their most recent title defence.
Manchester City can cut the deficit to two points with a victory at Newcastle on Saturday night. Currently, the team trails league leaders Liverpool by five points.
After playing against Huddersfield, De Bruyne may be returning to the Premier League at St. James’ Park. The Belgium international has thought back on his five-month hiatus from the game.
De Bruyne said, “I can watch whatever football and I watched every game, but I don’t like it.”
“I didn’t really need the break, but I did use it to convert what was against me into something positive. Looking back on my career, which has consisted of performing nonstop for the last ten years with a brief hiatus, I wonder if it wasn’t a good idea for me to take a little time out and take care of myself during the year when it wasn’t really possible.
“I’m essentially a taxi driver when you have three children between the ages of three and seven. It was enjoyable to me.
“I believe they liked that Daddy could watch the games, and now that the missus and everyone else can’t work around the show, it will be more difficult.”
“I saw it as a chance to appreciate the things with my family and friends that I haven’t been able to do. Perhaps a little refresh was in order.
“I don’t have any new interests, but it was enjoyable to take my kids to practices so they could watch their games and activities. I was able to take a vacation, which is something I never do during the year.