In 2020, Steve Bruce disclosed insights from a conversation with Pep Guardiola regarding a standout player at Manchester City. With Guardiola’s extensive tenure at the club since 2016, he has overseen numerous player transitions. Yet, it’s intriguing to learn what the esteemed City manager shared with a former Premier League manager about one of his current talents.

Bruce shares what Guardiola told him about City star back in 2020

During a chat with BBC 5 Live Sport, Bruce reflected on an exchange he had with Pep before a game against his team. Pep expressed confidence in Foden, mentioning they didn’t need to replace Silva because they had a talented youngster in him. Bruce recalled this conversation from four or five years ago, marveling at Foden’s remarkable growth. Despite his youth, Foden has already secured multiple Premier League titles, a testament to his talent.

Silva’s departure from the Etihad Stadium in 2019 marked the end of a decade-long stint, during which he made 436 appearances, scoring 77 goals and providing 140 assists, while clinching four Premier League titles.

Foden’s rise to prominence, despite debuting in November 2017, underscores Guardiola’s belief in his abilities. Silva, too, endorsed Foden, affirming Manchester City’s future was secure with him in the lineup. Foden’s current season stats, boasting 21 goals and 10 assists in 44 games, validate the trust placed in him by Silva and Guardiola.

Manchester City is amidst a remarkable season, poised for a potential back-to-back treble, an unprecedented feat. However, achieving this goal won’t come easy, especially with the intense competition in the Premier League title race. Pep Guardiola’s squad finds themselves locked in a tight battle with Liverpool and Arsenal.

Currently trailing the top two teams by just one point, City faces a crucial opportunity to surpass Arsenal in the standings during their upcoming clash on Sunday, a match of immense significance.

Having suffered defeat against Arsenal earlier in the season, City anxiously awaits the fitness status of five key players leading up to the match.

Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the injury situation involving Kevin De Bruyne following Manchester City’s 1-0 victory against Brentford. The surprise decision to have the £400,000-a-week midfielder on the bench raised eyebrows, especially in a crucial game for City’s Premier League title race.

Guardiola’s choice not to start De Bruyne and substitute Jeremy Doku instead, despite the game being tied at 0-0 before Erling Haaland’s decisive goal, fueled speculation about a potential injury. Guardiola addressed the situation after the match, shedding light on De Bruyne’s suspected hamstring issue.

“We cannot use Kevin [De Bruyne] today because he has niggles in his hamstring position, I didn’t want to take any risks with him,” Guardiola explained, emphasizing a cautious approach to the star player’s fitness. Despite categorizing the concern as not serious, Guardiola stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks, stating, “He’s okay, it’s just more caution and prevention that I think, but he didn’t feel comfortable. The doctor said it is a little risk, and I said, okay. After five months off, we didn’t take any risks about that over him.”

Guardiola’s decision not to risk De Bruyne during this crucial stage of the season is seen as a wise move. As Manchester City faces challenging opponents like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa in March, preserving De Bruyne’s fitness becomes paramount. Given the midfielder’s significance to the team, ensuring his full recovery is crucial for City’s aspirations in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Fans hope for his swift return to action to minimize the impact of his potential absence in upcoming crucial fixtures.