Kevin De Bruyne has issued a stern warning to Manchester City’s Premier League rivals.

De Bruyne has been a huge absentee for Pep Guardiola this season, having suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of the season against Burnley in August.

The Belgian is nearing the end of his recuperation, with Guardiola recently revealing that he is already back on the field. Cty will return in January to defend the three titles they won last season.

When he returns, the attacking midfielder says he wants to be the best player in the world.

“I aspire to be the best. It just keeps going. I want to be on the best squad possible. I aim to be the world’s top player. “I’m still motivated every day,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

Manchester City without De Bruyne

For the past two seasons, the 32-year-old has been the league’s finest playmaker. In his first season in England, he scored 52 goals in 53 games because to his connection with Erling Haaland.

In his partner’s absence, the striker has had to find goals elsewhere, but he still leads the top scorer ranks with 14 goals.

Guardiola could employ De Bruyne after his team has lost five of their past six games. Citizens drew with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham before falling to Aston Villa. They bounced back with a win over Luton Town, only to be held back by Crystal Palace with a late tie on December 16.

They are fourth, trailing only Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa.

The team is now in Saudi Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup, which includes De Bruyne.

Why wasn’t Ederson sent off against Crystal Palace?

The Crystal Palace encounter was highlighted by a contentious incident in the first half when Ederson rushed from his area and clipped Mateta. The Frenchman went down, and referee Paul Tierney called a foul.

However, the official issued a yellow card rather than a direct dismissal, much to the chagrin of the traveling spectators. The prevailing view was that the Brazilian had committed a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) offense and should have been sent off.

Sports Brief acknowledges that the yellow card decision was contentious, but attempts to deconstruct the referee’s thought process.