Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has talked up the importance of Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The reigning Premier League champions have been forced to cope without both players due to injury for some time, with Ake missing the last seven games in all competitions and De Bruyne sitting out of the last five matches.
Ake has not played for the Citizens since August after he sustained a muscle injury on international duty with the Netherlands on September 10, while De Bruyne was taken off with a groin problem in a Champions League stalemate with Inter Milan just over a week later.
However, manager Pep Guardiola revealed earlier this month that both Man City players could be fit to return after October's international break and could therefore be included in the matchday squad to face Wolves.
McInerney believes that Man City "haven't been at their creative best" in recent weeks and De Bruyne, dubbed the world's best passer, could provide a much-needed spark for the Citizens in the final third if he is deemed fit to play on Sunday.
'De Bruyne is one of one, he's genuinely irreplaceable'
The Belgian playmaker has made his presence felt in previous meetings with Wolves, scoring five goals and registering five assists in nine Premier League matches, most memorably scoring four goals in a thumping 5-1 victory for Man City at Molineux in May 2022.
"There is no one like Kevin De Bruyne," McInerney told Sports Mole. "As much as you can sign or look for attacking midfielders or creativity, I think Kevin De Bruyne is one of one. I've never seen anyone who creates chances in the way that he does, the quality of the chances.
"He's genuinely irreplaceable. I do think as good as Phil Foden is, as good as [Ilkay] Gundogan is, people like that, no one has that final ball like Kevin De Bruyne.
"He's so far ahead of everyone else in the world in my opinion with his passing that you can't not miss him. You can find a way to win without him, but he brings such a different dynamic to this Manchester City side."
While De Bruyne will hope to provide the goods going forward, the potential return of "reliable" defender Ake - who has returned to training this week - could help shore up Man City's "slightly creaky" backline that has kept just three clean sheets in 11 matches across all competitions so far this season.
"I look at City's defence. We've been a little bit open," said McInerney. "We have been vulnerable to the counter-attack and occasionally you need that maturity and that level-headedness. I think Nathan Ake [provides that].
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Infallible "warrior" Ake can shore up Man City's "creaky" defence
"His value is often underplayed because City are so blessed with great centre-backs. [Ruben] Dias, [Manuel] Akanji, [Josko] Gvardiol can play there, John Stones, even [Kyle] Walker can play centrally, but I think you notice, as a City fan in particular when you pay attention, what you miss when you don't have Nathan Ake there.
"Ake just does not make mistakes. He's so reliable. He's a guaranteed eight out of 10 more or less every single game. His positional sense is absolutely fantastic. He reads that space on the left channel so well. He knows exactly when to press a winger or drop a little bit deeper or tighter to his centre-backs when he plays on the left. I think he can also play at left centre-back so well."
McInerney added: "I do think Ake's return will bring a little bit of composure. As good as Gvardiol has been on the left-hand side, I think a little bit of support from a left-sided centre-back would be really useful there alongside him every now and then.
"That seniority he's got, that leadership, he's a warrior. I think having him alongside someone like Dias and Akanji as well would just help shore up, for now, a slightly creaky Manchester City defence.
"I'm just hoping - and I think they will be back - for the return of Ake and De Bruyne. If they're available, I expect them to be involved and that could be just about enough for City (to beat Wolves)".
Man City, who sit second in the Premier League table and remain unbeaten after seven games, have won seven of their last eight top-flight encounters with Wolves, who currently sit rock bottom of the table with just one point.
Wolves have in fact conceded a league-high 21 goals so far this season, but Gary O'Neil's side did beat Man City 2-1 at Molineux in September of last season.
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