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Tuesday, February 12

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Pep Guardiola refuses to give Kevin De Bruyne assurances

Manchester City are top of the Premier League.
By Andy Hampson, | 4d

Pep Guardiola has warned that Kevin De Bruyne is not a certain starter as champions Manchester City host Chelsea on Sunday.

De Bruyne, City's star man as they won the Premier League by a record margin last term, is still being eased back into action after missing most of the first half of the season through injury.

The Belgium playmaker appeared only as a late substitute as City returned to the top of the table with a victory at Everton in midweek.

At the time Guardiola admitted he wanted to ensure De Bruyne remained fresh to face his former club at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, but now he has said there are no guarantees.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: "It's quite possible (he does not play). Every player knows it's quite possible to play and quite possible not to. It is what it is.

"At the end we judge the players for who they are but they are to perform. There are moments when they are not in better condition, when team-mates are in better condition than them.

"In football what you have done is in the past. You have to do it again."

Guardiola, however, insisted he had no problems with De Bruyne's form and did want to hold him back at Goodison Park.

"We try to control the players," said Guardiola, who caught the eye in a multi-coloured striped jumper.

"He played the last two games. I preferred (he played) for a few minutes at Everton.

"He went out for five mins, plus extra time, and he was incredible – giving the assist, the behaviour, the attitude, everything. I want him to sustain that for a long time.

"Sometimes when you're out a long time injured you need (to be careful) a bit there. I don't want him playing game, game, game."

Guardiola was also asked for his response to remarks from Aleksander Ceferin, president of European governing body UEFA, apparently criticising him for not attending a briefing on the introduction of VAR in the Champions League.

Ceferin felt coaches of all the clubs involved in the competition should have attended the talk on Monday but he said only the managers of Juventus, Lyon, Paris St Germain, Roma and Porto were present.

He accepted Liverpool, who had a game on Monday, could not attend but he said of others: "If they complain about referees they should at least come see what the experts say about VAR. They have no excuses any more – especially the ones who did not come."

Guardiola said the rescheduling of the game against Everton on Wednesday made it difficult for him personally.

He said: "I respect a lot what the president of UEFA said but I don't agree with him, I'm sorry. Brian Kidd (assistant coach) was there. He travelled, he was in the meeting and I have on my table the report.

"The problem was on Wednesday we had a game. The game is more important for me to be with my players. On Monday and Tuesday we had the training sessions.

"I would have travelled, I had the tickets, but the Premier League decided to play between Arsenal and Chelsea the game at Everton."



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411
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Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411
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