Manchester City are set to be without Kevin De Bruyne for three months but the Belgium midfielder does not require surgery on a lateral knee ligament injury.
De Bruyne was named City’s Player of the Season as he starred in their record-breaking run to the Premier League title last term but his injury lands a significant early blow against Pep Guardiola’s bid for back-to-back titles in England’s top flight.
The 27-year-old sustained the setback during a training session on Wednesday and, following a visit to specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona on Thursday, City have confirmed his diagnosis.
“Manchester City can confirm Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) lesion in his right knee,” a club statement read.
The timescale placed on De Bruyne’s recovery means he will miss City’s trip to Liverpool on October 7, with Jurgen Klopp’s side the only team to beat them away from home in the Premier League last term and widely tipped to mount a title challenge this time around.
A scheduled trip to Tottenham later in the month would also appear to come too soon, while the November 11 derby at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester United represents a possible target for a high-profile return.
City find themselves in uncharted waters. Since joining the club in 2015, De Bruyne has failed to start just 20 Premier League games, but now the champions have to make do without him for a sizeable chunk of the season.
Whether it be goals, assists, second assists, successful passes, overall chances created or chances created from set pieces and open play, De Bruyne has been City’s – and in most cases the Premier League’s – standout performer since arriving in Manchester.
Unsurprisingly, without the Belgian’s influence, City’s figures dip in almost every department