Manchester City vs Wolves: Kevin De Bruyne says he cannot stand losing, even in a family board game

The Belgian midfielder was speaking ahead of City's Monday night clash against Wolves

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne says he cannot stand to lose, whether on the pitch or playing a board game at home with his family.

Pep Guardiola’s side take on Wolves tonight, hoping to close in on Liverpool’s seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, where De Bruyne is expected to start after finally overcoming the injury woes which have restricted him to just six league appearances this season.

Speaking to Monday Night Football ahead of the game, De Bruyne was asked what motivates him.

“Winning. I can’t stand to lose,” De Bruyne said.

“Even at home, playing boards game with the missus, the son, whatever, I can’t lose against them. It’s just the way I am. It just drives me to keep going and to become probably the best I can be in football.”

De Bruyne also stressed that having talent was simply not enough, and that it was persistent hard work which had carried him to the top.

“Yes, you need to have talent, but hard work is the biggest part,” De Bruyne continued. “The differences between players at this level is so minimal. A few changes can make a big difference in the end.

“We won by 19 points last season, but won a lot of games last minute. That’s the most important thing, to keep going and keep going. In the end it’s more about being mentally fit rather than physically. There is no rest for us.

“After a busy year like last year you have two to three weeks then have to come back, there is no time to get your mental or physical rest. You need to be very strict with what you’re doing as a player and the way you live your life.

“A lot of people can have talent but they let it go to waste. I left home when I was 14 years old to play football and I saw a lot of people who didn’t make it, but through my determination it paid off in the end.”