Pep Guardiola is clearly not one for sentiment.
Kevin De Bruyne chalked up his 300th game for Manchester City last night, but the milestone was not enough for Guardiola to hand him the captain's armband. That went to vice-captain Ilkay Gundogan, who takes the armband when club captain Fernandinho – who is leaving at the end of the season - is not playing.
De Bruyne is third in command in the captain pecking order, yet the Belgium midfield playmaker does not need an armband or title to underline his enduring value to City. He remains City's most influential player, the man his team-mates look to for the spark to get them going, as was the case against Brighton, with Gary Potter's side proving tough to break down.
