After 10 incredible years with the club, Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has announced he’ll be leaving Manchester City at the end of the current campaign after the expiration of his contract.
De Bruyne’s achievements with City are nothing short of remarkable. Since joining from Wolfsburg for a then club record fee of £55 million in 2015, he’s won an impressive 16 trophies and cemented his place as one of the club’s greatest players.
While his departure may not be entirely surprising, given his age, struggles with injuries and form in recent seasons, it’s still a bittersweet moment for City fans. De Bruyne was a key player in Pep Guardiola’s historic treble-winning team in 2022/23, and his contributions to the club’s success cannot be overstated.
The 33-year-old expressed his appreciation to the City fans when announcing his departure, but he remained tight-lipped about his future. With his contract set to expire at the end of June, there’s speculation about whether he’ll extend it to enable him play in the Club World Cup in the US.
“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes, “ De Bruyne’s farewell on social media read.
“That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first”
.”Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back! And guess what – we won everything.”
De Bruyne’s Trophy-Laden Career
Kevin De Bruyne’s career with Manchester City has been a resounding success stacked with an impressive trophy cabinet. The Belgian has won 6 Premier League titles with Manchester City, 2 FA Cups, 5 League Cup winners’ medals, with his first coming in his maiden season with the club. Then the biggest of them all in 2023 when Manchester City won their first Champions League title. He played a key role in the team’s run despite a hamstring injury limiting his minutes in the final against Inter Milan.
De Bruyne’s individual awards are just as impressive. He won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons- only the 3rd player ever (Henry & Ronaldo) in league history to win the award in consecutive years. He also won the Premier League Player of the Season award twice, in 2019-20 and 2021-22. The Belgian was named the Football Supporters’ Association Player of the Year in 2022. In addition, he has won four Manchester City Player of the Season awards, and two Champions League Team of the Season appearances.
Unsurprisingly the midfield maestro also has three Premier League Playmaker awards for the most assists in a season and was included in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’sWorld XI in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2022, he finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting, behind Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane.
KDB’s Numbers Don’t Lie
Kevin De Bruyne’s impact on Manchester City has been brilliant both in eye-test and statistically. He’s made 414 appearances, scoring 106 goals and providing 174 assists across all competitions. His incredible vision and passing ability have made him a creative force to be reckoned with, and the stats back it up.
Since his debut in August 2015, he’s created a staggering 194 big chances in the Premier League- the most in the league during that period and 65 more than any other player. In terms of overall chance creation, De Bruyne ranks second in the Premier League since Opta records began in 2003-04, with 830 chances created. Only Cesc Fabregas has created more, and De Bruyne still has a chance to surpass him before the season ends. He leads other Premier League legends like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and David Silva in this category.
De Bruyne’s technical skill is evident in his ability to score goals with both feet. He’s netted 70 Premier League goals, with a third of those coming from his supposed weaker (left) foot. His long-range shooting ability is particularly impressive, with 29 goals from outside the box over the last 15 years- only Frank Lampard has scored more Premier League goals from distance.
De Bruyne’s impact on the game extends beyond his individual stats. He’s had goal involvements against 30 of the 33 Premier League teams he’s faced as a Manchester City player, making him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s also one of the most prolific assist-makers in Premier League history, with 118 assists to his name – second only to Ryan Giggs’ 162.
A Man For The Big Occasions
Kevin De Bruyne is the only player in the current squad who was part of the team before Pep Guardiola took over in 2016, and he’s leaving as one of the greatest players in the club’s history. Although the likes of Messi and Silva readily come to mind when talking about Pep Guardiola’s most important player, any conversation about the best players to ever play for Guardiola will always include De Bruyne’s name.
The Belgian is a master creator, goal-scorer, and game-changer. He had a unique ability to control the game and dictate the pace of play. One of De Bruyne’s most impressive performances was against Real Madrid in the 2022/2023 Champions League semi-final. Manchester City thrashed them 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, with De Bruyne at the heart of everything.
De Bruyne had a knack for finding space on the pitch, often popping up in key areas to make decisive passes. Even under Pep Guardiola’s possession-based style, De Bruyne remained a risk-taker, willing to lose the ball to create something special. Guardiola recognized the value of De Bruyne’s approach, and it paid off with several trophies. In fact, De Bruyne played a key role in City’s first Premier League titleunder Guardiola, featuring in almost every game that season. The 33-year-old was unplayable during that title-winning campaign, starting 36 games and showing his incredible endurance and dedication.
During the 2021-22 season, Manchester City went into a must-win match against Wolves with only three games left to play. The team was still reeling from their heartbreaking Champions League loss to Real Madrid just a week earlier. De Bruyne rose to the occasion, scoring four goals against Wolves, including three with his left foot in the first 24 minutes.
The Belgian finished the season with 15 league goals, including crucial winners against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United. He also shone in European competitions, scoring City’s only goal to see off Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.
De Bruyne consistently delivered on the biggest stages, particularly at the Etihad Stadium. In the treble-winning season, he scored key goals against Arsenal, including two in a title-decider, and also found the net against Liverpool. One of his most memorable goals was a stunning drive against Real
Madrid at the Bernabeu, a match that marked a remarkable return to the stadium where City had suffered heartbreak the previous year.
Is De Bruyne Manchester City’s Great Player of All Time?
For Manchester City fans, Kevin De Bruyne will always be a legendary figure, often mentioned alongside Colin Bell and David Silva as one of the club’s greatest players. His impact on the team was immense, starting with a crucial goal against Chelsea in 2017 that many consider as the spark that ignited City’s current era of success. There is no doubt about Kevin De Bruyne’s incredible career at Manchester City and his contribution to City’s success, but how does he stack up against other City legends? Let’s take a look.
Other City legends also made significant contributions to the team’s success. Sergio Agüero, who played for City from 2011 to 2021, holds the club goalscoring record with 260 goals in 390 appearances. His iconic moments, such as the last-minute title-winner against QPR in 2012, are etched in City’s history.
Sergio Agüero was a cornerstone for City, scoring countless goals and helping the team win 12 major trophies. That included five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and six League Cups. He also picked up numerous individual awards, like the Premier League Golden Boot in 2014/15.
There is also the aforementioned David Silva, who played for City from 2010 to 2020. He made 436 appearances, scored 77 goals, and made 140 assists. His elegant playmaking and vision earned him the nickname “El Mago” (The Magician). Silva paved the way for De Bruyne’s dominance, and together they formed one of the most technically gifted midfields in English football history. During his time with City, he won 11 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups. He also received several individual awards, such as the Premier League Playmaker of the Season.Vincent Kompany made 360 appearances for City between 2008 and 2019. He was a leader and a legend.
He captained the team to four Premier League titles and provided backbone and stability to the squad. His long-range winner against Leicester in his final season at the club is still remembered fondly by City fans.
Kompany led the team to 10 major trophies which includes four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and four League Cups. He was also named to the PFA Team of the Year multiple times.
Yaya Touré scored 79 goals for City in 230 appearances between 2010 to 2018 including a remarkable 20-goal season in the Premier League (2013/14). Touré’s power, grace, and clutch goals were instrumental in City’s rise to the top, and his FA Cup winner in 2011 kickstarted the club’s trophy era. Yaya Touré helped City win 7 major trophies. That included four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and three League Cups. He also received numerous individual awards, including the African Footballer of the Year four times (2011-2014).
While opinions may vary, De Bruyne’s all-around influence on the team edges him ahead of others in terms of overall impact. After a disappointing spell at Chelsea, he found his footing at Wolfsburg and then thrived at City, leading the team to numerous titles and breaking records along the way.
Given his achievements, it’s hard to argue that De Bruyne isn’t a forerunner in the conversation of City’s greatest player of the modern era. His consistency, leadership, and moments of genius have made him a key figure in City’s dominance of the Premier League.
Conclusion
Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly one of Manchester City’s greatest players (if not the greatest) and his impact on the team is outstanding.
De Bruyne’s greatness is measured against a rich history of talented players who have worn the sky blue shirt. He’s part of an elite group that includes legends like Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, and Francis Lee from a previous era, as well as more recent icons like David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, and Fernandinho. This impressive company only serves to highlight De Bruyne’s remarkable career and the lasting impact he’s had on the club.
De Bruyne’s legacy extends beyond his impressive trophy haul, he’s a player who consistently delivered on the biggest stage, often putting his body on the line to help his team succeed. He wasn’t renowned for being the most vocal on the pitch but his talent certainly did the talking and his quality set the standard for those who were fortunate to grace the pitch alongside him.
