Pep Guardiola believes Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden can thrive together in midfield after shining in Manchester City's 5-0 win over Huddersfield.

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• Guardiola delighted to have De Bruyne back
• Belgian made triumphant return against Huddersfield
• Coach believes he can thrive alongside Foden

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  De Bruyne made a strong return to action from the bench against Huddersfield in his first match back almost five months after tearing his hamstring on the opening day of the season. The Belgian laid on the pass from which Jeremy Doku struck City's fifth goal and he dovetailed superbly with Phil Foden, who scored twice and was the standout performer. Guardiola believes the pair can lead City's attack for the rest of the season, and has even compared the duo to his old midfield pairing of Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Barcelona.

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• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola said: "Always I am a big fan of the talent, why can't talent play together? When I arrived in Barcelona people said Xavi and Iniesta and [Sergio] Busquets could not play together, why not? It is really important to put a lot of talent there in the central positions."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Foden struggled to get into the City team in the latter stages of last season but has made the most of De Bruyne's absence and locked down his role in the team as an attacking central midfielder, the position the Belgian would normally occupy. But Guardiola hailed De Bruyne and believes he can lift City to even greater heights in the second half of the campaign.

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• 'KEVIN IS EXCEPTIONAL'

  "We are incredibly delighted he is back," added Guardiola. "Kevin helps to win games and there are few in the world. Win games, Kevin, Haaland, these guys win games, Phil, Haaland. I am pretty sure Kevin felt how people love him and other people are in love with him. He played really good minutes. He has a special special ability to do something that is not easy to find. With all the runners we have now, to have a guy who can find these passes, Kevin is exceptional, he is unique. The quality of the assist for the Jeremy goal."

Tags: Futebol
Category: News