From England, De Bruyne, Manchester City's regret: "Maybe he left too soon" | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne is experiencing one of the brightest moments of his career, and in England, some are beginning to wonder if Manchester City parted with their leader too soon. The BBC raises the question in an in-depth article published today...

From England, De Bruyne, Manchester City's Regret: "Perhaps he left too soon"

"The Belgian is having one of the best starts to a season since he moved to Napoli on a free transfer this summer, which raises the question: did he leave Manchester City a year too early?"

The farewell to City and the blue resurgence

After 16 trophies, over 400 appearances, and a legendary career with Manchester City, De Bruyne bid farewell to the Premier League at the end of his contract last June. A nearly forced separation, which came when the midfielder believed he still had much to offer.

"I was a bit surprised, but I just have to accept it," De Bruyne said last April. "Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level, as I'm showing, but I understand that clubs have to make decisions."

His arrival at Napoli was one of the most prestigious moves of the summer. Antonio Conte strongly wanted a player capable of providing quality and leadership to a team seeking new ambitions after winning the 2023 championship.

Extraordinary numbers: 8 goals and 3 assists in 12 matches

According to data provided by BBC and Opta, Kevin De Bruyne's start to the 2025/26 season is the best of his career in terms of scoring. In total, between Napoli and the Belgian national team, he has collected 8 goals and 3 assists in 12 appearances, for a total of 11 direct goal involvements.

His two penalty goals in Belgium's 4-2 victory against Wales confirmed his excellent form. It is the third time in his career that, after the first 12 matches of the season, he has surpassed double digits in goals and assists: only in the 2019-20 and 2023-24 seasons did he do better.

"City's loss is Napoli's gain"

The BBC highlights how the Belgian has quickly integrated into Serie A, confirming his class even in a very different tactical context compared to the Premier League: "De Bruyne seems to have adapted perfectly to Italian football and, although he hasn't provided any assists in the league yet, he is the second midfielder for chances created. His three goals have been surpassed only by Pulisic and Orsolini, and only a few midfielders have attempted more shots on goal than him."

In Naples, De Bruyne has settled into a balanced offensive system, becoming the focal point of the play and a reference for the young players. His international experience and ability to manage decisive moments have quickly made him a leader in the locker room.

Manchester City misses their former captain

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is not going through its best moment. Six wins, two draws, and two losses in the first ten Premier League matches tell of a solid start but lacking the usual brilliance.

The BBC points out that, despite having beaten Napoli at the Etihad Stadium, "De Bruyne's start to the season suggests he could still have played a key role in Guardiola's team." In the current squad, only Jeremy Doku comes close to his numbers in terms of offensive contribution, but no one can guarantee the same continuity and vision of the game.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.