Farewell after 10 years
© Imago
After ten years, 18 titles – including the triple 2022/23 – and more than 400 competitive games with over 280 goal participations, Kevin de Bruyne (33) will leave Manchester City at the end of the season. The club with the most valuable squad in the world had decided against an extension in early April. “I have not received any offer all year round, they simply made a decision,” said the Belgian (via “The athletic“).
De Bruyne was faced with accomplished facts – probably to give the youth a chance and possibly create space in the budget for a new star. Because with an estimated annual salary of around 24.3 million euros per season, he is the best paid professional of the Premier League to Erling (24). With a market value of EUR 27 million, the Belgian of Liverpools Virgil van Dijk (33) is the most valuable footballer who has had his 33rd birthday. The Reds recently extended with their defense chief until 2027 – de Bruyne will be on June 28, 34.
“Of course I was a bit surprised, but I just have to accept it. That is okay. To be honest, I still think that I can play at this level as I show it. I understand that clubs have to make decisions.” Due to injuries, the playmaker in 2023/24 was only used in 26 games in which he collected 24 scorer points. He was also missing this season due to injury, but came to the train 34 times. “I think I’m still in good shape, I played a lot more than last year, apart from the hernia. I feel good and the rhythm is there,” said de Bruyne, whose influence on the game has decreased.
More playing time went to James Mcatee (22) and Nico O’reilly (20) and with Argentinier Claudio Echeverri (19) hopes for the next offensive talent for minutes in the midfield of the Citizens. Most minutes will probably go to Bernardo Silva (30) and Phil Foden (24) next season – the latter had to switch to the wings in recent years so that De Bruyne could shine on his favorite position. Pep Guardiola’s team is currently fighting for fourth place for qualifying for the Champions League and the race has it all (for the remaining program). Between Newcastle United (59 points) in third place and Aston Villa (57) on seven are two points on five remaining match days. This season, the 5th place also entitles you to participate in the premier class.
De Bruyne believes that things are not going according to plan this season, “is also the reason why they made the decision, because the whole team had a hard time. If the team had no problems and I would get back, like this year, they might make a different decision. I don’t know – they have told me the decision and I cannot say what they think inside.”
If the ticket for the Champions League is solved, you could also act differently on the transfer market. Guardiola has been said to be interested in Bayer professional Florian Wirtz (21) for a long time. The “Bild” newspaper recently brought the Citizens into play as a possible goal-cost: 150 million euros.
The Bruyne cost 76 million euros to Manchester ten years ago during his change from VfL Wolfsburg – there will be no lack of the Belgian, who will change free of charge in his career for the first time. In addition to rumors about Saudi Arabia and the MLS, he showed that he could also imagine staying in the Premier League: “I am open to everything, simply because I have to look at the overall picture. (…) I still have the feeling that I can play at a good level.”