Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City is set to be one of the most significant exits in recent Premier League history. Honestly he’s been a Man City icon for the bones of a decade and the recent announcement of his departure at the the end of the season will beg the question:
is he one of the best midfielders to ever grace the Premier League? With six Premier League titles to his name, the Belgian maestro has been a pivotal figure in Manchester City’s era of dominance under Pep Guardiola.
Early Career and Move to Manchester City
Born in Drongen, Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne began his professional career at Genk, where he showcased his talent early on. His performances earned him a move to Chelsea in 2012, but he struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting line-up under then manager Jose Mourinho. He also had a certain Mo Salah in the squad at this time who might also be off to pastures new in the near future. In Jose’s defence neither player was Premier League ready at this point in their careers, and thankfully so for the rest of the league. After a brief but successful loan spell at Werder Bremen, De Bruyne made a permanent switch to Wolfsburg in 2014.
At Wolfsburg, De Bruyne’s career truly blossomed and he was genuine class. His creativity and vision helped Wolfsburg secure a second-place finish in the Bundesliga and win the DFB-Pokal in 2015. That same year, he was named Bundesliga Player of the Year. His performances did not go unnoticed, and Manchester City secured his signature for a then club-record fee of £55 million in August 2015.
Dominance at Manchester City
From the moment he arrived at Manchester City, De Bruyne was a game-changer. Under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, he became the heartbeat of City’s midfield, known for his pinpoint passing, incredible vision, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches. His versatility also allowed him to excel in various midfield roles, from deep-lying playmaker to attacking midfielder.
During his time at Manchester City, De Bruyne has won:
- 6 Premier League titles
- 2 FA Cups
- 5 EFL Cups
- 1 UEFA Champions League
- 3 FA Community Shields
Individually, he has earned numerous accolades including the Premier League Player of the Season award, not once but twice in the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons. His consistent performances have cemented his place as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history.
The Announcement
According to reports from Sky Sports, De Bruyne’s contract is set to end this summer, and he will leave the club he joined in 2015 from Wolfsburg. Over his time at City, he has become synonymous with creativity, vision, and control of the midfield. Pep Guardiola, aware of the impact De Bruyne’s exit will have, is reportedly planning a major midfield revamp to replace the playmaker. Reports from the Daily Mail (Oh god, did we just reference the Daily Mail?) suggest Guardiola has his eyes set on reinforcements to ensure City’s midfield remains formidable. Shock and horror though right? City are already in the midst of a major revamp, so it seems like the curtain has finally called and this maestro must make his final bow before exiting stage left.
De Bruyne’s departure is not just a blow to Manchester City but also to the Premier League as a whole. He has been a symbol of consistency, delivering not only incredible passes and assists but also being a leader on the pitch. As the Premier League continues to evolve, the absence of Kevin De Bruyne will surely leave a noticeable void.
Click on through for Part 2, where we discuss the greatest midfielders in Premier League history and where Kevin De Bruyne ranks among them, because what’s one more addition to the Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard debate right? You can also catch the debate on the StatrDraft Podcast.
Jon Harrison, April 2025
Comments are closed