There will only ever be one Kevin De Bruyne and he cannot be replaced | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne announced today that he will leave Manchester City at the end of this season. With his contract set to expire at the end of this season, he will depart the club he has given everything to when his contract expires. Looking at what De Bruyne has achieved and given to Manchester City, he will leave the club as arguably its greatest-ever player and as one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.

At his best, Kevin De Bruyne was a one-man wrecking ball. Not in the manner of Yaya Toure, but De Bruyne played the game with the ability to make an opponent’s defence rendered ineffective. His passing ability and vision were one of a kind. The pass below against Stoke City during Manchester City’s 7-2 win at the Etihad during the 2017/18 pass best sums up his passing ability and vision. De Bruyne’s ball completely nullified the Stoke defence and set up Leroy Sane for a tap-in. If one pass could sum up the greatness of Kevin De Bruyne that is it.

De Bruyne, at his best, would also chime in with critical goals. He was a two-footed player who was equally as damaging with his left foot as much as his right. His catalogue of goals is spectacular and he did come up with vital goals for his team. His goal at the Bernabeu during Manchester City’s run to the treble in 22/23 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg stands out. When Pep Guardiola’s side needed a hero it was often De Bruyne who stood up to be counted. Only the greatest players do that and De Bruyne comfortably sits in that category.

Kevin De Bruyne gave everything to the cause for Manchester City.

But another attribute of De Bruyne’s game that is often overlooked was his ability to fight through injury for the cause. He famously gave all he could. Manchester City’s chase for the treble in the 22/23 season. He suffered a devastating hamstring injury during City’s 1-nil UEFA Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul. But he’d done all he could to get his team to that point. He paid a physical price to get his team to that point and perhaps he still is.

Kevin De Bruyne missed the first half of last season due to a hamstring injury. But he returned to the pitch for the second half of the 23/24 season. His goal and assist and St. James Park in Manchester City’s famous 3-2 win set the tone for City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title. Pep Guardiola’s side created history and De Bruyne once again played a key role in it. He overcame injury to aid his team’s cause. He did that time and time again for his club, and his drive, coupled with his talent, makes him a Manchester City legend.

Whatever the future holds for Kevin De Bruyne his standing at Manchester City is secure.

Whatever the future holds for Kevin De Bruyne remains to be seen. Esteemed Kompany sources have revealed that Saudi Arabian side Neom SC are prepared to pay De Bruyne an annual salary of €24 million to move to Saudi Arabia. It has also been revealed by Esteemed Kompany sources that clubs across Europe, Asia and the MLS all have an interest in signing the Manchester City legend.

But whatever De Bruyne chooses to do next season his legacy and standing at Manchester City is secure. He is a club and Premier League legend. That can never be taken away from him. Kevin De Bruyne gave all he could to Manchester City and he leaves having won everything at the club. This coupled with his goals, assists and overall play makes him a Manchester City legend and as a City fan you just have to say thank you Kevin De Bruyne for the memories and all you have given to the club.