Carabao Cup hits and misses: Kevin De Bruyne still searching for top form as Manchester City bow out

De Bruyne yet to find level of consistency

These were normally the types of games which would have seen a player of Kevin De Bruyne’s stature rotated for a rest by Pep Guardiola, but the Belgian was given a run out from the start at the London Stadium in a bid to get some more minutes in his legs in a bid to return him to his best.

De Bruyne has looked a little laboured at times this season, and struggled to really impose himself on Wednesday night in the goalless draw, despite being up against a largely second-string West Ham defence. He was eventually brought off late on before City eventually crashed out on penalties.

There were a couple of trademark De Bruyne moments scattered throughout his performance, a lovely pass through to Sterling at one stage proved the eye is there, he just needs to find some level of consistency again. And it remains to be seen whether he will keep his place in the starting XI for Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

“Kevin came back from important injuries in the last part of the season and he was so important against Liverpool, Chelsea and Brugge,” said Guardiola of his talismanic playmaker. “He was there as always. Day by day he will get his best form.”

If City are to continue keeping pace with Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League and have another real swing at winning their first Champions League title, they will need De Bruyne to find that top form sooner rather than later.
Simeon Gholam

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