Kevin De Bruyne has delivered a timely morale boost to Manchester City by resuming training in Jeddah for the Club World Cup after a four-month absence due to a hamstring injury.
The Belgian midfielder actively participated in training at the King Abdullah Sports City complex on Monday night alongside his City teammates, marking a significant step in his recovery from surgery. De Bruyne sustained the hamstring injury during the opening day of the season against Burnley.
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However, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland were notable absentees from training, ruling them out of City’s upcoming semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday. De Bruyne, although included in the Club World Cup squad, is likely to sit out the semi-final, with the possibility of featuring in the final or the third/fourth place play-off on Friday.
City had initially expected De Bruyne to travel as one of the captains for the Club World Cup, aiming to secure their fifth trophy in 2023 and clinch this particular prize for the first time in the club’s history. While his participation in the upcoming matches remains uncertain, his return to training serves as a positive indicator.
City, facing a challenging period with only one win in their last six Premier League games, welcomes the proximity of their influential playmaker’s return.
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As the squad enjoys the pleasant weather in Saudi Arabia, Pep Guardiola’s focus is on the semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds, the current Asian champions. Guardiola acknowledges the quality of their opponents and emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the game, expressing the team’s desire to reach the final while acknowledging the need to navigate the challenges posed by the Japanese side.
