KEVIN De Bruyne has a lot to think about in the coming months, but some things have at least become clearer following Belgium’s elimination from the European Championship.
The 33-year-old has revealed that he will make a decision over his international future in the not-too-distant future and there is some uncertainty over his Manchester City future, too, given he has now entered the final year of his contract.
However, De Bruyne has confirmed that he will stay at the Etihad for at least one more season despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia.
And given the incessant nature of modern football, Belgium’s exit, and the start of De Bruyne’s summer holiday, also serve as a countdown to his return to City action.
Given around three weeks off to recharge, the playmaker will be expected to join his club’s pre-season tour of the United States at some stage, given they fly out on July 19 and return after playing Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio on Aug 3.
“I’ll have a quiet summer,” he said, among many other things, following his country’s 1-0 defeat to France.
“I’ll enjoy my holidays and will return to City afterwards. I assume there will be talks with City in the upcoming months.”
De Bruyne, who stoked transfer speculation ahead of the Euros by saying that his wife, Michele Lacroix, would be open to an “exotic adventure” to Saudi Arabia, ruled out a transfer on Monday, although did leave the door open for next summer by discussing the possibility of an “absurd” offer.
“I’ve read a lot of headlines about a transfer, but I haven’t spoken to anyone,” he said.
“I have never indicated that I want to leave. I have more than enough money. But if an absurd amount comes ... That is also for my family, my relatives, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren and my friends.”
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne holds the player- of-the-match trophy at the end of the Group E match against Romania. — AP
The immediate focus, other than resting with his family, will be on his role and influence at City during what is, as it stands, his final season at the club where he has become one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever players.
“I’m very happy physically and mentally after the year I’ve had,” he also said on Monday, helping to keep things in perspective.
“That’s what I wanted: to come out of a season healthy and in good shape. Unfortunately, now it’s time to rest. When I come back I’ll put everything together, but I feel really good.”
Given his four-month layoff following hamstring surgery at the start of last season, it cannot be taken for granted that he was even at the Euros with his country after helping City retain their Premier League title.
His influence at City did not really wane in those final weeks given the number of assists he racked up, but his overall performance level did – and that is one of the things that will be most fascinating about the team’s 2024-25 campaign, especially given they consider the squad more or less ready to go yet again and do not plan any major changes via the transfer market.
It had been suggested in the weeks after De Bruyne’s return from that hamstring injury that he might be used in a deeper role during the final years of his career in a bid to save his legs and, although the reasons were surely different, he did drop back alongside Amadou Onana for Belgium’s last-16 game against France, having started all three group games playing closer to Romelu Lukaku up front.
However, this idea was quickly dashed by his club manager when it was put to him several months ago. In fact, by the end of the season, De Bruyne was arguably operating higher than ever.
“Kevin has to play in the position he played during the eight years we have been together,” Pep Guardiola said.
“Nothing changes. Absolutely nothing. Of course he can help us and when he runs from deep he helps us a lot, but I prefer he does high pressing close to the box. Nothing different to all the period (he’s been with me).”
De Bruyne lifting the Premier League trophy after the match against West Ham.
De Bruyne finished joint third on the Premier League assists chart, with 10, despite making his return to the starting line-up on Jan 31, and his quality was evident as he helped City over the line in several must-win matches.
He also received some undue flak for his contributions to Belgium’s summer tournament, despite making similarly eye-catching contributions; other members of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ contributed less despite being younger. Eden Hazard, another leading light from that Belgium team, retired last year at the age of 32.
The reality is that De Bruyne is logically not at his very best level, and that was evident during City’s run-in too – including against Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as in the FA Cup final against United when he was substituted nine minutes into the second half.
The big shift in City’s midfield next season, if one is needed, may come with Phil Foden taking on greater responsibility in the middle of the pitch while a new face adds fresh impetus on the right wing – possibly the incoming Savio of Ligue 2 side Troyes or another option, given the club are still looking at strengthening that flank.
It may be the case that De Bruyne, having finished his season feeling well physically and mentally, is ready to start next season better than he ended the last.
But it is impossible not to think about the coming months as the beginning of the end of a great career, especially given the topics he has been discussing this week, including international retirement.
And although it is something that is clearly still to be decided – it is understood that he would be keen on a move to MLS – De Bruyne also discussed life after City.
“It’s hard to say now,” he said. “We will be sitting around the table in the coming months. I signed my contract at the right time.”
That contract takes him up until his 34th birthday and City, for all of their appreciation for his huge contributions over the years, may not be too keen to offer him fresh terms if they cannot be certain of his level into his mid-30s, which was the case with Ilkay Gundogan.
There is a lot to be worked out over the next year or so. — The Athletic
