When people talk about Manchester City’s glory years in the future, Kevin De Bruyne’s name will undoubtedly come up as one of their all-time greats.
In 25 years, fans will remember him as a central figure in the club’s success and a key player in their dominance.
For a solid five years, De Bruyne was arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League, and in time, City supporters will fondly reminisce about his unique style of play, saying, “You should have seen him play.”
De Bruyne’s journey wasn’t without its challenges, especially after his initial setback at Chelsea, where José Mourinho sold him to Wolfsburg.
Mourinho may have doubted his mentality at the time, but when he returned to England, Manchester City saw his true potential and everything clicked. The rest, as they say, is history.
A Midfield Genius for Manchester City
As someone who spent my career as a midfielder, I’ve always believed that success hinges on having the right balance in the center of the park.
Manchester City has boasted some exceptional midfielders over the years, from Fernandinho to Yaya Touré, and now Rodri. But for me, De Bruyne stands out as the best of the lot.
He’s a complete player. His vision, passing range, and ability to score from anywhere make him a dream for any manager.
At his peak, he could have played for any top club in Europe — Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or Paris Saint-Germain.
I’ll always remember De Bruyne’s precision when delivering a ball into the box for Agüero.
His athleticism, intelligence, and work ethic made him a constant threat on the pitch, and he was undoubtedly a dream for teammates like Sergio Agüero.
It was almost like clockwork — the perfect pass every time, always in the right spot for Agüero to attack.
Their partnership was one of the most lethal in Premier League history.
The Decline of a Great Player
However, as De Bruyne reaches 33, the inevitable signs of decline have begun to show.
Last season, he only played in 18 Premier League games due to injuries, a common issue as age catches up with even the best.
While great players never lose their technique, they can lose that half-step of intensity that makes all the difference.
City’s status as one of the league’s biggest clubs has made them a target for every other team.
They know that playing against City is their “cup final,” and as a result, their top players like De Bruyne have had to dig deep every single week.
That constant intensity can take a toll, leaving players more susceptible to injuries, whether minor niggles or more serious muscle tears.
De Bruyne had flashes of brilliance — like his performance last week against Bournemouth — but it’s clear that maintaining that level of intensity every week is a challenge for him now.
Still, his legacy will be cemented as one of the all-time greats.
What’s Next for De Bruyne?
It seems likely that De Bruyne will eventually leave Manchester City for a less demanding league, whether it’s in the MLS or Saudi Arabia.
Even then, he will still be a star for the next few years, delivering standout performances wherever he goes.
Regardless of where he plays next, De Bruyne has certainly left his mark on the game.
He’s been a joy to watch, and I have nothing but admiration for his career.
When it comes to leaving City, Pep Guardiola will have had a tough conversation with him.
But the best players are always honest with themselves when things aren’t going well, and I’m sure De Bruyne has done just that. His self-awareness has always been a strength.
Tarkowski’s Challenge and the Merseyside Derby Controversy
James Tarkowski’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby sparked some debate.
While many former professionals, including myself, believe it was a red card, it was only given a yellow.
This once again highlights the inconsistency in refereeing standards, especially when it comes to dangerous play.
Tarkowski is an honest player — tough, physical, and someone you want in the trenches with you.
But in this case, he did cross the line.
Luckily, Mac Allister wasn’t seriously injured, but Tarkowski certainly got away with one.
That said, the overreaction to Tarkowski — including threats to him and his wife on social media — is a sad reflection of modern society.
Footballers are constantly under the microscope, and sometimes the line between passion for the game and unacceptable behavior gets blurred.
Southampton’s Struggles and the Consequences of Sticking to One Style
As we look at the relegation battle, Southampton’s failure to adapt has played a significant role in their downfall.
Should they be relegated this weekend, it will be the unfortunate result of their refusal to adapt and diversify their style of play.
Just like Burnley before them, they’ve stuck to one tactical approach, and it’s cost them dearly.
When a newly-promoted team comes into the Premier League, they need to be unpredictable.
Playing out from the back might work for some, but it’s something that top teams — who excel at pressing — can easily exploit.
Southampton’s predictable game plan has resulted in just 10 Premier League points this season, and they are now staring down the barrel of relegation.
If Southampton want to survive, they need to change their approach.
At the same time, teams like Tottenham and Everton are looking to bounce back after disappointing seasons, making the competition even fiercer.
Manager of the Season Debate
There’s been a lot of talk about who deserves to be named manager of the season, with Nuno Espirito Santo getting deserved recognition for his work at Nottingham Forest.
But for me, the manager who wins the biggest trophy should be the one that gets the accolade.
If Liverpool stay on course, Arne Slot deserves to be named manager of the season.
Slot inherited a team that only needed some fine-tuning, and he has done just that.
It’s always impressive when a manager can maintain that cool head when things are going well, but it’s even more telling when they show their aggressive side when the chips are down.
Slot has demonstrated both qualities in equal measure, and I think he’s earned the respect of his peers.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season unfolds, but for now, Slot is leading the way for me.
