Manchester City and Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, could be out for a long time, after suffering a knee injury during training on Wednesday.
The Belgian after sustaining the injury was immediately sent for a check-up, as the club feared the midfielder might have suffered a lateral ligament in his knee and could be out for weeks.
De Bruyne was part of the Manchester City and Pep Guardiola team that humbled Arsenal at the Emirate at their season opener away to the London club, but he came in late in the second half, as Pep and Manchester City kicked off their title defense with an emphatic away win.
The club while speaking on the injury said:
“The extent of the problem is not yet known and we will bring you further updates on Kevin’s condition in due course.”
Though Pep Guardiola has the depth in his present Manchester City squad to carry on in case his assessment turns out unfavourable but the player’s presence on the pitch and intelligence with his passing of the ball would be missed and Pep will not want that.
The English transfer window is already closed for a possible new signing, and with IIkay Gundogan, David Silva and a possible Mahrez Pep could be forced to make a change to his winning formation last season, in which De Bruyne was a key part of, breaking and creating new records in the English Premier League.
The Belgian was influential for his country Belgium in the just concluded Russia 2018 world cup, together with the likes of Lukaku, Hazard, and club captain Kompany. The club promised to update fans in due course, as the result of his assessment will not be known until later Thursday morning.
Manchester City will continue their title defense at home against Huddersfield, with the hope of grabbing another win, even without the Belgian.