Guardiola Sparks Debate: Calls Injury-Hit De Bruyne ‘One of Premier League’s Greatest

Kevin De Bruyne’s bombshell announcement that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season has ignited both tributes and controversy, as fans and pundits debate the timing, impact, and future direction of the club.

The 33-year-old Belgian maestro, who has been at the heart of City’s dominance since his £55 million move from Wolfsburg in 2015, leaves behind a legacy of 14 major trophies, 106 goals, and a staggering 174 assists in 413 appearances. Yet, some critics argue that De Bruyne’s recent injury woes and reduced influence signal a player past his prime, raising questions over whether City held on too long.

Pep Guardiola, however, dismissed any such doubts, calling De Bruyne “one of the greatest midfielders ever to play in this country.” He credited the Belgian with being central to every title won during his tenure and hinted strongly that De Bruyne could be immortalized in bronze, joining Kompany, Silva, and Aguero outside the Etihad.

But controversy brews over De Bruyne’s potential participation in the Club World Cup, with no clear decision on whether he will play his final matches there or bow out with the Premier League season’s end. Guardiola admitted uncertainty, saying, “The club has to talk to him, and he has to say what he wants to do.”

As one of City’s last links to their golden era prepares to exit, the club now faces a looming question: without De Bruyne’s creative genius, can Guardiola’s side maintain their stranglehold on English football—or is this the start of a slow decline?