Kevin De Bruyne has expressed sympathy with Raheem Sterling over his 'frustration' at not playing regularly for Manchester City.
The England forward has started just three Premier League and one Champions League games so far this season and admitted last week he would be 'open' to a move away from the Etihad Stadium if it meant more game time.
And his team-mate De Bruyne, speaking ahead of City's Champions League fixture with Club Bruges in his Belgian homeland on Tuesday night, admits he can understand Sterling's point of view.
He said: 'Rotation is important because we are playing four competitions and mostly going far, but I understand the frustration. I am a player that needs rhythm also.'
Having lost to Chelsea in last year's Champions League final, City are determined to go one better but Pep Guardiola's side have made a mixed start to the group stage.
They thrashed RB Leipzig 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium on matchday one but then lost 2-0 away to Paris Saint-Germain in a game in which they should have taken more.
But City could be boosted by the return of Brazil internationals Ederson and Gabriel Jesus in Bruges after they missed Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley.
The pair had been in action for their country in a World Cup qualifier in South America on Thursday and flew directly to Belgium from Brazil.
Guardiola said: 'we will join them tonight in the hotel. Tomorrow they will do the preparation and maybe play, maybe not.'
Goalkeeper Ederson played the full 90 minutes of the 4-1 win over Uruguay but forward Jesus was replaced after 61 minutes in Manaus.
De Bruyne was forced off injured with a facial injury in last year's final loss to Chelsea after a collision with Antonio Rudiger.
That issue, followed by an ankle problem, affected him during Euro 2020 in the summer and he was still hampered at the start of the current campaign.
He said: 'Coming into the Euros, I was happy to come back so soon but then the ankle injury happened. I got tackled, my ligament snapped.
'I tried to get back in the best way possible but it took some time and it was painful but I feel much better now.'
De Bruyne admitted his memories of last season's final have become a blur.
He said: 'After the collision I don't remember a lot. I don't remember how I got in the hospital, I remember going back to the team hotel at 10 in the morning still in my City kit.'
ankitttttttttrtr
0
Well we all know peps like to involve him self in all competitions so that’s why he needs all the players he can get! I think that’s where i like kloop who don’t over stress his players by prioritizing only champions league and premier league! If u watch his games u will definitely understand
That is good for Pep to have more player but as a player you want to play all cups like in other clubs people do. So sterling asking for move makes sense
Deuces4
0
The point is Pep has problem of plenty and many stars dont want 20 mins game time. So hence sterling wants to go out where he will play more.
Well we all know peps like to involve him self in all competitions so that’s why he needs all the players he can get! I think that’s where i like kloop who don’t over stress his players by prioritizing only champions league and premier league! If u watch his games u will definitely understand
cokeimpuyz
0
STINKING PEP UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS
any one blaming pep over Sterling issue is a big fool... Sterling was de reason we lost FA cup semi to Chelsea nd also the UCL final ...pep has done his best to rejuvenate him bt he still plays ship I think he should just fucking Leave
prince_walex
0
Sterling go to ASTON VILLA.All black players who are not comfortable should go.PEP WE REMEMBER YAYA ETO
These people hate Pep, that's why they always bring out racist, why can't you guys uses your senses for once
jikacimu
3
whoever that is blaming Pep in this issue hates him. we lost UCL final bcos that useless Starling. Who. is he going to bench Foden or Grealish? He has lost form let him strive to pick form or he leaves.City for life.
ankitttttttttrtr
0
So sterling as featured in every of city league games had 3 starts out of the 3 starts he had city lost 2! They where fortunate to win the last one against burnley! I really don’t understand why people kept criticizing pep! What did he do wrong!!! Other players are in there best form but pep still always tries to bring him in to get back is great form! Mahrez only as 4 appearance! But sterling as 8! So what did pep got wrong?
[image]
The point is Pep has problem of plenty and many stars dont want 20 mins game time. So hence sterling wants to go out where he will play more.
Deuces4
1
So sterling as featured in every of city league games had 3 starts out of the 3 starts he had city lost 2! They where fortunate to win the last one against burnley! I really don’t understand why people kept criticizing pep! What did he do wrong!!! Other players are in there best form but pep still always tries to bring him in to get back is great form! Mahrez only as 4 appearance! But sterling as 8! So what did pep got wrong?
Unitedforlife6
0
Colour of his skin is a problem 🤣🤣🤣
are you being serious..you're a city fan and this is a player who has scored so many goals
Kaungacity
0
Why are ignorant fans always bring racist card when ever Pep is talked about? What about Joe Hart and Aguero ? are they black too? What about Zlatan, Krkic, Gotze and Mandzukic that all Pep removed from the 1st eleven? are they black too.?
same question I ask these people.... really irritating 😞
Kioeioptu
2
Mr missing open net! go and rejuvenate your career elsewhere, we don't need more heartbreaking misses!!!
Cibbcilps
0
STINKING PEP UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS
The lad has become lazy and lost form PERIOD
romanianguy
4
Why are ignorant fans always bring racist card when ever Pep is talked about? What about Joe Hart and Aguero ? are they black too? What about Zlatan, Krkic, Gotze and Mandzukic that all Pep removed from the 1st eleven? are they black too.?
romanianguy
1
Sterling go to ASTON VILLA.All black players who are not comfortable should go.PEP WE REMEMBER YAYA ETO
Why are ignorant always bring racist card when ever Pep is talked about? What about Joe Hart and Aguero ? are they black too? What about Zlatan, Krkic, Gotze and Mandzukic that all Pep removed from the 1st eleven? are they black too.?
Loverboy10
0
Colour of his skin is a problem 🤣🤣🤣
Yeaabkz
1
pamadimnuy
1
STINKING PEP UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS
pamadimnuy
1
Sterling go to ASTON VILLA.All black players who are not comfortable should go.PEP WE REMEMBER YAYA ETO
Santanacityzen
2
sterling need to stay at CITY & fight for his place in d first TEAM that's what will make him better being ....wanting game time been handout to him will only make him complacent take a page from B.SILVA & STONES who was once closed out but let their game speak for them
Letabnortz
0
Barcelona are already in preparation for sterling
tampumi
1
He is weak his time is up
jeueinprtz
2
His skin
pamiklnpy
2
sterling should back to liverpool
bosabdrtuy
2
real me adrid f c