Manchester City Hero Kevin De Bruyne will leave the club at the end of the season, but the question remains when his real final will be for the dethroned champions
Kevin De Bruyne has admitted that he still does not know if he will play for Manchester City at the Club World Cup. After a decade of service at Etihad, the brilliant Belgian midfielder did not offer a new contract offered by the Blues and his current deal ends at the end of June – scared in the middle of the extensive FIFA tournament in the United States.
De Bruyne is waiting to hear from Pep Guardiola if he is in his plans for the 32 team competition. But he suggested that if his next club thinks go to America with City is a risk that they will not want to take, he will play his last match for City in Fulham on the last day of the Premier League season.
Asked if he goes sick to the CWC, De Bruyne said: “I don't know. For me it will depend on what will happen in the future, you know, depending on which team I go and in which competition I will play.
“Even if the new team doesn't want me to play and don't want to risk what happens. I didn't really talk to the city about it, so I don't know. If they want a conversation, we can do that. But I don't know for sure.”
City fans have appealed to finance a TIFO banner of £ 5,000 that De Bruyne thanked for his service, which they intended to show during the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on 17 May. The 33-year-old was shocked when City told him that he was not in their future plans and in inspired form since he was made public with their decision on social media.
Guardiola confirmed that there will be no U-turn about the decision after De Bruyne had made an invaluable winner for City against Wolves on Friday evening to increase their chances of a top five Finish and Champions League qualification. The former playmaker of Chelsea and Wolfsburg is extremely popular with teammates and fans.
And the Belgian winger Jeremy Doku insisted that De Bruyne is still able to play at the highest level after setting up the winning strike of the midfielder in the Etihad.
Doku said: “It is clearly very sad that Kevin is leaving because I think he still has the qualities to play here – and he has shown it again.
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“Kevin is one of the biggest legends in the history of this club. To see a player from his caliber leaving is sad and I can understand that the fans are sad. I just enjoy every moment I play with him and say that the supporters have to do the same.
“It's a shame he will leave us, but I still play with him in the national team, so that I can still enjoy it. I have only been two seasons, but I have seen what kind of impact he had before I came.”
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