Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian midfielder, has left an indelible mark on Manchester City since his arrival from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015. During his eight-year tenure, he has lifted an impressive 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the coveted Champions League trophy in 2023. Related De Bruyne’s contract expires at the end of this season. Only then will he wave adieu to the one club—sorry, “franchise”—that’s defined so much of his dazzling feats.
As De Bruyne comes to the end of his tenure at City, he is clearly allowed to look back on what has been a brilliant career. At 33 years old, he’s now won the Premier League Player of the Season award twice. This accomplishment serves as a reminder of his place as one of the league’s top tier talents. Even with his departure fast approaching, De Bruyne is insistent that he has plenty left to contribute on the field.
Pep Guardiola’s Praise
His manager Pep Guardiola, of Manchester City, has gushed publicly about De Bruyne. And United’s Abu Dhabi enemy John Cross — the Daily Mirror’s chief football writer — dubbed him “the best player I’ve ever seen in a Manchester City shirt”! Guardiola paid tribute to the player’s contributions and emphasized the emotional toll of his exit.
“I want the best for Kevin so it cannot be possible to have done these many years without him. He has been an incredible player but the situation is what it is,” – Pep Guardiola
Guardiola looked positively unsettled when asked about the prospect of extending De Bruyne’s stay with the club. This isn’t an argument against the change, but it does underscore the bittersweet nature of the development. The difficulty of something like losing such a huge figure transcends the manager and fans, though.
A Legacy Built on Performance
Kevin De Bruyne’s legacy at Manchester City is perhaps best reflected by his remarkable trophy haul. It’s as much defined by his brilliance in the biggest moments. A brilliant performance against Crystal Palace last month was evidence to the contrary, with Foden orchestrating a quickfire fightback after City were 2-0 down. And his ability to execute when the pressure is at its peak has made him a known clutch player.
As recently as Friday, De Bruyne scored a goal that delivered a perfect illustration of his remarkable skill set. His strong body of work these last few weeks only helps his case. This is a player whose technical ability and productivity have him deservedly pegged among the best players in the world.
“I think I showed that I can still play, otherwise I don’t do what I do these last four or five weeks,” – Kevin De Bruyne
Reflections on Departure
As De Bruyne bullishly girds himself for the inevitable transition to post-City life, he admits to being surprised that no extension has already been extended. Teammates have expressed their dismay at losing him, showing the bond built by the friendships made in his short time with the club.
“A lot of teammates have said that it’s sad I have to go too but that’s just how it goes sometimes in life and I think the way I’m performing and acting like a teammate … I give everything and I want to win the game,” – Kevin De Bruyne
Jamie Carragher, a prominent football analyst, emphasized that discussions surrounding De Bruyne should focus on his contributions rather than contract negotiations.
“We should not be getting bogged down in the contract situation,” – Jamie Carragher
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