Kevin De Bruyne injury could help Phil Foden take his place

Man City are set for a different life without the Belgian playmaker against Arsenal. Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan are all fit to feature, giving us a glimpse of what life will be like at the Etihad in the near future.

De Bruyne’s injury and lack of game time is nothing new. The 33-year-old midfielder was sidelined with a hamstring injury until early 2024 last season, but has become a regular this term, starting most of the games, including the Champions League with Inter Milan, where he was forced off at half-time after feeling unwell in the first half.

De Bruyne appeared to be clutching his groin as the cameras panned in while still on the pitch. The Belgian playmaker did not return from the tunnel after the break and was replaced by veteran Ilkay Gundogan. “I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet,” Pep Guardiola said at his press conference when asked about De Bruyne’s injury. With the injury and early exit, De Bruyne is clearly a major concern for the Arsenal game.

In the past, City have coped well without their key midfielder – but this time it’s particularly significant, with interest from the Saudi Pro League and De Bruyne’s expiring contract suggesting he could leave at any time. “At my age, you have to be open to everything,” De Bruyne told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws during the summer transfer window. “You’re talking about a lot of money at what could be the end of my career. You have to think about it sometimes. If I play there for two years, I’ll be earning an incredible amount of money. I’ve played football for 15 years before that. I might not even be there yet.”

With De Bruyne seemingly ready to consider a move and his contract set to expire, the Arsenal game could provide a glimpse of what life at the Etihad could be like without him at the club. De Bruyne’s impact after returning from injury last season, with four goals and 10 assists on the way to City’s fourth successive league title, suggests he’s still at the top of his game – but that hasn’t always been the case.

City’s recent recruitment has set the stage for the future. Gundogan, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and the injured Oscar Bobb give Guardiola options to get creative – with Grealish’s new England role under caretaker manager Lee Carsley coming at the perfect time.

In Bruyne’s most recent absence, Foden or Julian Alvarez, now at Atletico Madrid, have often been deployed in his place and have impressed in doing so, with Foden winning the PFA Player of the Year award for his performances throughout the campaign.

The England international has had a shaky start to the new season after being sidelined with illness, but made his second appearance of the campaign against Inter and will be a key player in both the immediate and long-term future of the team – especially if his Belgian team-mate leaves. Foden has grown steadily since coming through the City academy, but with the likes of De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Vincent Kompany ahead of him, he has never felt like the team was his own.

However, his 19 goals and four assists in the top flight last season, including an inspired in a 4-1 comeback win over Aston Villa in De Bruyne’s absence, have shown he is capable of taking charge at the club.

Commenting on the matter, former player Paul Merson told Sky Sports: “They lost him a lot last season – but they still won the title. You have Foden and Gundogan coming in, which is incredible. We will miss De Bruyne but Man City have players who can replace him – it’s a bit different to Arsenal with Odegaard. I think Gundogan and Kovacic will play. They have a lot of options, Foden, Gundogan and Doku. Rodri is back in the team. Too many options.”