I need some time to get back to my best level, said Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City ace

Kevin De Bruyne badured Manchester City fans that he was not suffering after two serious knee injuries, but had asked for patience while he was trying to return to the scintillating form of last season.

De Bruyne was one of the players of the City who seemed depressed during the defeat suffered on Tuesday in Newcastle. But having missed almost four months of the season, he says that it's inevitable, it will take time to regain its regularity.

"I do not feel anything with my knee. Every day I try to be at the best level and sometimes, people have to leave me a little slack after this period of absence. I always want to be better, but sometimes my body tells me no, and I have to accept it by leaps and bounds.

Kevin De Bruyne admitted that he was going to need more time before he regained his heyday

"I did not have either pre-season (because of the World Cup), then I turned the knee, it's like that. Now I am trying to reach the level of last year physically. I think people know who I am as a player or what I can do for the team and that it will not change after an injury or two, it does not really bother me. & # 39;

De Bruyne was widely considered the best player in the city after winning the Premier League last season with a record 100 points. It's a lot harder for them this time and this week, they will face Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in a week, five points behind the Liverpool leader.

"It's obviously another tough week," said the Belgian midfielder. "We played a lot of games, then they dropped Everton between two big games (because City is in the Carabao Cup final). It's just like that.

The 27-year-old recently returned to the game after a second knee injury.

"We will take it in our stride and continue. In the end, it is a good thing to play so many games because it means we are in a lot of competitions, that we are in the final and that it is good to play for prizes. Sometimes your team is mentally and physically tired, but we try to be as strong as possible. & # 39;

De Bruyne has only played 16 appearances in all competitions this season and his only goal in the Premier League was the 3-2 home defeat against Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola insists he has enough leaders in the Manchester City locker room without club captain Vincent Kompany, as the champions embark on a pivotal week against Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea.

Kompany, who has won the Premier League trophy three of the past five seasons, will miss his eighth straight game against Arsenal today (Sunday) due to a muscle injury and could leave The Etihad this summer.

City midfielder lost his temper during Tuesday's loss to Newcastle United

Without the defensive talisman, City did not seem to be encouraged on the pitch by a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Tuesday night – losing to rivals Liverpool and Tottenham.

However, Guardiola – who is trying to compete for the title successfully for the first time in his career – thinks quieter players like David Silva, Fernandinho and others are able to exert a different influence.

"I have a lot of leaders. People who take a step forward when things go wrong and have to do it again and again, "he said.

"I met incredible players who did not speak a word. And I've seen a lot of players who talk a lot in the locker room, then they go on the court and are under pressure: "I do not want a ball and I do not want to defend."

"We can not tell players to be something they do not feel. You have to talk, and it comes from inside.

City recently lost to Crystal Palace, Leicester and Newcastle, five points behind leaders Liverpool, but Guardiola still expect to finish the season with an eighth title to add to his three goals in Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and his triumph with City last season.

After the Arsenal game, they will travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday before facing Chelsea next weekend.

& # 39; Of course I believe. I love my players, I trust them. I have said it many times.

"Every time there are fewer games to play and we have to score a lot of points if we want to be true contenders and we have to focus on our game again.

& # 39; You send a message as you play. The opponents, the managers, are sitting watching the games on television and when they say, "Wow, how good they are, how well they play," that's the best pressure you can take.

All other titles won by Guardiola have been won since the beginning, which gives him a new focus this season.