Pep Guardiola reveals he and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne have not 'slept together'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted he has not slept with Kevin De Bruyne, speaking during a glowing report on the Belgian midfielder.

The former Chelsea midfielder put in yet another sublime performance for Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

It was his long-range free-kick that secured City all three points, as the reigning Premier League champions continued their chase down of Arsenal at the top of the table.

Speaking after the win in the Midlands on Saturday afternoon, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his match-winner.

"Kevin (De Bruyne) can do the free kicks and do the assists, we know it," he began.

"He is a player who needs his dynamic. If he stays in his position, it is not his top (level)."

He continued, "His top is if he has the freedom to move into the pocket, or lateral, or to the right, or to the box - he has the freedom and he has quality.

“Kevin needs movements, not being quiet in one position. And today he is back."

The Manchester City manager then continued by highlighting how well he knows his vice-captain, after working with Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad Stadium for the last seven seasons.

However, the Catalan coach did stress that despite 'doing everything' with the Belgian international, he has not slept with him.

"It’s not that he cannot do it (perform at the highest level).

Guardiola continued, "We are seven seasons together - we have done everything except sleep together! We have done everything!"

"I know him quite well. Nothing is going to change my opinion of what he has done for this Club and for me personally.

"But I have the duty in my job to say, ‘I want more’," the Manchester City manager boldly insisted.

Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City.

“I want this Kevin and we need this Kevin. The game against Brighton he scored a fantastic goal - but it is not enough. The goals and assists he can do blind. But we need this type of involvement in the game. And today (against Leicester) that was the case.”

Pep Guardiola will be hoping to have Kevin De Bruyne at the very top of his game right through to the international break for the FIFA World Cup.

Manchester City have four games remaining before the break, spread across three different competitions.

In the Premier League, City face Brentford and Fulham in home matches, while Chelsea and Sevilla also visit the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup third round and Champions League group stage respectively.