Nico Gonzalez reveals why Manchester City have made Kevin De Bruyne contract blunder | OneFootball

Nico Gonzalez has heaped praise on Manchester City’s outgoing playmaker De Bruyne and the sheer professionalism with which the Belgian has set an example for new signings at the club.

Gonzalez joined Manchester City from Porto for a reported fee of £50 million in January to bolster Pep Guardiola’s prospects in the number six position depleted for much of the season owing to an ACL injury sustained by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in September.

The 23-year-old’s father, Fran Gonzalez, worked with the Premier League champions as an academy coach during his son’s teenage years and Nico seems to have adapted to life in England quickly since his introduction to the Premier League.

In an interview with DAZN Futbol, Nico has given a peak through the curtain into how a new signing at Manchester City has been helped settle to life at the club by Kevin De Bruyne, who will be leaving the Blues in the summer.

“During my first match (FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient), I injured myself after 15 or 20 minutes. He (De Bruyne) couldn’t stop teasing me about it. I was absent for three days and he’s a real joker,” Nico said, as relayed by Sport Witness.

“What really struck me about him (De Bruyne) is how often I see him in the gym. He’s there every time before training. The fact that a top player like him does that inspires you and puts you under pressure.”

Despite a desire to stay on at Manchester City, De Bruyne was not offered a contract to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium past June, which means he will be leaving the club in the summer after struggling with recurring injuries in the last 12-18 months.

The 33-year-old discussed his disappointment with the club’s decision at length with reporters in the mixed zone after leading City to a crucial 2-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, when he was given a fantastic ovation by the home supporters on his final appearance at the stadium in a Manchester City shirt.

Whilst it is objectively true that De Bruyne is past his imperious prime, Manchester City have come under criticism for their decision to not offer the Belgium international a short-term extension especially given the midfielder’s recent displays since his return from injury.

“I’ve been watching him for so many years, I used to watch a lot of Manchester City games and (for) my father – his favourite player from the last 10 years was from Manchester City – it was Kevin,” Nico told Sky Sports.

“He (Fran Gonzalez) always talked really good about him (De Bruyne) and I’m trying to learn as much as I can in these few last weeks I have with him and it’s an honour to have played with him.”