Kevin De Bruyne says the togetherness in the Manchester City squad is key to their continued success – and the major reason he is committed long-term to the club.
The English champions get their 2022/23 season under way on Saturday with the Community Shield against Liverpool before beginning the defence of their Premier League title next week away to West Ham United.
City are early favourites to secure a fifth top-flight crown in six years after a summer in which they have signed star striker Erling Haaland and midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Julian Alvarez, the highly promising young forward, has joined the squad following his loan at River Plate.
De Bruyne, though, remains one of the team’s standouts, and concluded last season by saying he was happy to remain at the club until his contract finishes in three years.
The Belgian international, 31, joined City in 2015 and has gone on to prove a bedrock in their dominance of English football.
On Thursday, manager Pep Guardiola said he believed De Bruyne to be the best central midfielder in the world.
De Bruyne, meanwhile, feels he is in the perfect environment to continue to improve – and that can only spell good news for City.
“This is where I want to be, this is my team,” De Bruyne told The National. “People will talk about individual performances and individual awards, but that doesn’t bring success.
“What brings success is the team and the players around you who push you to be better. There’s no better place for me than City. I’ve been here for seven years and together we’ve had so much success.
“I believe that together we can achieve even more, and I hope to continue that in the future with this club.”
Manchester City season ratings 2021/22
Of course, aside from sustained domestic success, City will have sights sets this campaign on finally capturing the Uefa Champions League trophy. The club have come agonisingly close before, losing the 2020/21 final to Chelsea by a single goal.
Last season, City were knocked out of Europe’s premier club competition in the semi-finals by eventual winners Real Madrid.
To their credit, Guardiola’s side rebounded from the disappointment by winning three of their remaining four Premier League matches – the other was a come-from-behind 2-2 draw at West Ham - to seal the title in thrilling fashion on the final day.
“Of course, to win a title having come so close in another competition is special for us, but winning every Premier League title has been special,” De Bruyne said. “We had to work hard as a group to come back from that result in Madrid.
“We knew what we had to do, we knew we had to win our games and we managed to do that. Even against West Ham when we didn’t win, we came back from two goals down to get a result that helped carry us into the final day and I think that says a lot about our character.
“Of course, our aim is to keep improving, to challenge for the Champions League as well, and hopefully anyone who comes in this summer will push us closer to that.”
Manchester City salaries 2022/22
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
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4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
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Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Results
5pm: Al Falah – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bshara, Richard Mullen (jockey), Salem Al Ketbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Al Dhafra – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Mualami, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Al Khaleej Al Arabi – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hawafez, Adrie de Vries, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Mafraq – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
7.30pm: Al Samha – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Patrick Cosgrave, Ismail Mohammed
