Pep Guardiola compares De Bruyne & Foden with FC Barcelona's legendary duo of Xavi-Iniesta

Manchester City boss Pepe Guardiola sketches similarities between the duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, comparing them to the dynamic Spanish duo at Barcelona, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta while expressing his joy at the return of Kevin De Bruyne from a long-term injury. 

De Bruyne made a long-awaited comeback against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup game on Sunday. He waited almost five months before returning to the game as he suffered a hamstring injury on the very first day of the season. 

Till then, his partner in the Blues, Phil Foden scored two outstanding goals in another fine display with the Argentine talent Julian Alvarez and Norwegian youngster Oscar Bobb also on target. Although the talk of the show was Kevin De Bruyne who took only 17 minutes to get his first assist of the season. 

The Man City boss believes that De Bruyne and Foden duo can together rule the midfield after their illustrious contribution in the 5-0 victory over Huddersfield. 

“Always I am a big fan first of the talent, so why can’t their talent be joined together? Guardiola was quoted by Man City website. "When I was in Barcelona people used to say, ‘No, Xavi and Iniesta - these guys cannot play together’ and I said, why not? Why not? They are good, they are intelligent and smart and normally we associate that talent with they cannot defend - this is not true."

Guardiola went on to say that he is more than happy to see De Bruyne back in his arsenal though his return would be carefully analysed. 

"I am incredibly happy to have him back because Kevin helps you to win games. Kevin, Haaland, Phil… these guys win games - that’s why they’re so important for us. I’m pretty sure that in the last game, Kevin felt how the people love him and how our people are in love with him, and that mutual respect will be forever," Guardiola expressed.

The ex-Barca player turned coach said that De Bruyne would not be pressurised and that not too much expectation should be placed upon his shoulders as of now he is returning from a serious injury. 

"Kevin will help us with his talent and can help us in the things we are getting better at - he can handle the pressure, we know that, but I don’t want to put pressure on Kevin’s shoulders because it’s not fair on him.

"He has a special quality that is difficult to find, and we have known each other a long time - we have players like Erling, Phil, Bobb, Doku and Matheus who love to run in behind and have players find them with passes and Kevin is exceptional at this.

"That’s why first we are pleased he is back after three or four months out with injury and is fresh in his mind and played really good minutes as he showed with the quality of the assist for the fifth goal, so yeah, it’s really good to have him back," the 52-year-old manager said.