Pep Guardiola's 'problem' with Kevin De Bruyne as he quits Man City - 'Something going on'

A potential rift betweenand has been a major talking point in season, as the legendary midfielder revealed his intention to leave the club when this

Arguably the greatest player to ever represent the Citizens, the Belgian icon has firmly established his place among the pantheon of greats in history. De Bruyne has accomplished all there is to win in club football, with six league titles, five League Cups, two and one to his name.

In his final season at the Etihad, the midfielder has notably dropped off and suffered a continuation of muscle injuries that have plagued him in recent years. And while he's largely enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Guardiola - with De Bruyne arriving at City just one year before the Spaniard - rumours of problems began to gain momentum after his 11-minute cameo in their 2-0 loss to last December.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

It marked the fourth game in a row that De Bruyne failed to start following his return from injury, as he managed just 43 minutes of action in those fixtures combined. questioned between them.

"De Bruyne came on again with not long to go when the game was pretty much done," the Match of the Day host said. "Yeah, he nearly got a goal because of [Virgil] van Dijk's error, but is there something going on there, do you think? Because he's been coming on for five or 10 minutes, what, for about a month now?

"You would imagine he's getting fitter, even though I saw both of them - and De Bruyne - make interesting statements in the week, where it seems like all's not well between those two? I don't know. I've got no inside information whatsoever. The ambassador of might, though... Micah?"

The ex-City veteran agreed with Lineker's assessment of an issue brewing between the manager and player. "I think you're right," Richards said to his co-host. "There's got to be some context to it... this goes back [to] before the international break.

"De Bruyne got some minutes, but after the international break, he didn't start and then hasn't started again. But he's one who can unlock a door! We know with Kevin De Bruyne, you've got to wrap him in cotton wool... but a big game like this, I thought [Guardiola] was sort of saving him for this game!

"But even just the talks, [De Bruyne] potentially going to Saudi at the end of the year... it looks to me like there's some sort of rift gong on between them."

and with the former claiming: "Something is going on with De Bruyne. Something isn’t right between those two."

Guardiola's decision to leave his talisman out of the starting 11 for several games was branded "unusual, bizarre, strange" by the icon. In response - while opting against mentioning the duo by name - the ex-Barcelona boss insisted that a personal issue between him and De Bruyne doesn't exist.

Instead, he explained the midfielder's absence was due to wanting to manage his fitness after an injury-plagued year. "People say I've got a problem with Kevin," he said before their 3-0 win over

"Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don’t want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?

"He's delivered to me the biggest success to this club. I’m desperate to have his best. But he's been five months injured and two months injured. He's 33 years old. He needs time to find his best." As his time in Manchester slowly approaches its emotional end, City fans will do well to savour the last few games of seeing De Bruyne in sky blue.

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our