Manchester City need to 'find someone who can get goals' following Kevin De Bruyne injury - Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City need to “find someone who can get goals” following the news that Kevin De Bruyne will be absent for a "few months".

De Bruyne was forced off midway through the first half of the opening match of the Premier League season against Burnley after seemingly aggravating a recurring hamstring problem.

City boss Pep Guardiola has since confirmed a potential lengthy absence for one of his star players, who could be set for surgery on his hamstring.

Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, former England defender Ferdinand said it is vital City find a replacement for a player who scored 10 goals and provided 31 assists last season as City won the Treble.

“If you're a City fan you have to be devastated,” Ferdinand said.

“I think they’ve got to go and find someone who can get goals. They’ve lost [Riyad] Mahrez, they’ve lost [Ilkay] Gundogan, they’ve now lost Kevin de Bruyne – three massive, influential players in terms of goals and assists.”

Jokingly, Ferdinand – who is a legend at rivals Manchester United – added: “I’m worried for City!”

Ferdinand has advised City to look at West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, who has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

“I’m hearing Paqueta from West Ham for £70m plus. They’ve got to replace De Bruyne's goals and assists and his impact on the team,” said Ferdinand.

“Let’s see who they go with. I’m saying Paqueta.”

Ex-Manchester City player Joleon Lescott conceded that De Bruyne will be a “massive miss”.

But he added: “If you go back to three seasons ago when he missed the first half of the season, he came back and obviously contributed to City winning the league, and he was player of the season. So, I don’t think it’s as important missing the first three months as it is missing the last four months.”

Lescott continued: “His contribution is massive consistently throughout the season. Hopefully one of the young lads – James McAtee, Cole Palmer – are given opportunities to contribute as well.”

Ally McCoist said the injury to De Bruyne will have a "massive" impact on the title race.

"You could argue the best player in the league will be out for four months. You look at [Erling] Haaland's goals but in terms of creativity, natural ability, Kevin de Bruyne is up there and he might be the best.

"For me, a Manchester City team with no Gundogan, no Kevin De Bruyne...I tell you what, you'd far rather play them, wouldn't you?"

McCoist believes City have a weaker squad than last season and thinks Arsenal could push them all the way.

"It's got to be a leveller. I believe Arsenal recruited really, really well. Having said that, they've lost one as well [referencing the injury to Gabriel Jesus], which clearly isn't ideal.

"I genuinely don't think City are as strong as they were last season with the personnel and now losing arguably their key man. It has to have an effect."

And while McCoist feels Phil Foden can step in "here and there", he warns not to underestimate "how much of a blow" the injury to De Bruyne is.

City began their defence of the league title with a 3-0 win at Turf Moor despite De Bruyne's injury.

They face Europa League winners Sevilla in the Super Cup at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece on Wednesday and then face Newcastle on Saturday evening, both live on TNT Sports.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Man City v Newcastle will be live on TNT Sports 1 from 19.00 UK time on Saturday, 19 August.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media