'I've had to work so hard to come back... it's been difficult': Kevin De Bruyne admits he won't be able to reach same levels as last season despite shining in Cardiff win By Jordan Seward For Mailonline Published: 23:34 BST, 3 April 2019 | Updated: 23:38 BST, 3 April 2019 Viewcomments Kevin De Bruyne has conceded that he is not the player of last season after having to fight back from multiple injury setbacks over the past eight months. The 27-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign having suffered serious knee injuries and experienced problems with his thigh that has kept him on the sidelines for extended parts of the season. Wednesday evening's 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff was only the third time this season De Bruyne has completed 90 minutes in the Premier League. Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he won't be able to reach the same levels as he did last season The Belgium international was hugely influential throughout the match and scored the opener before Leroy Sane sealed matters, but despite his man-of-the-match display has admitted he is unlikely to reach the same levels of last year. 'It's been very difficult, I'm not going to compare myself to last season,' he said after City regained top spot with their 2-0 win. 'My season has been very long, it feels as though I've had double the length of other players. I had to work so hard three, four times to come back. The 27-year-old looked back to his best and scored the opener in Man City's win over Cardiff The Belgium international has endured a frustrating campaign after a number of injury issues DE BRUYNE STATS LAST SEASON (All Competitions) Games: 52 Goals: 12 Assists: 21 DE BRUYNE STATS THIS SEASON (All Competitions) Games: 25 Goals: 5 Assists: 4 'I'm probably not going to have the level that I had last year but it's not about me it's about what I can do to help this team win titles in the end and if we can lift a few it doesn't matter how I do. 'I tried to come back and now I am here I can try to reach my best level as quick as possible to help the team win.' Pep Guardiola has largely had to make do in De Bruyne's absence with the midfielder only featuring 25 times in all competitions - compared to his 52 appearances last term. Leroy Sane settled the game with a superb second as City won to regain top spot in the league But the City boss is delighted to be able to call upon the Belgian as they go in search of a historic quadruple. Guardiola added: 'Yeah definitely he looked back to his best. He started incredibly and within three minutes we could have had three goals. 'The first goal is fantastic, his passes were good and he was in good rhythm and playing at a good pace. We missed him and we will need him for the rest of the season.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility