Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne was withdrawn early in Saturday’s FA Cup final, where Manchester United claimed a surprise victory over their rivals. Speculation about the Belgian’s future has been rife, with talks of a potential transfer to clubs in the Saudi Pro League or MLS expansion franchise San Diego FC. At 32, de Bruyne is facing a career crossroads.
Despite being substituted in the final, de Bruyne had a significant role in City’s season, contributing six goals and 11 assists in 25 appearances. However, at 33 this summer, he may be nearing the end of his career. City has a history of knowing when to move on from key players, as seen with Sergio Agüero, David Silva, and Vincent Kompany, leading to the possibility of bidding farewell to de Bruyne.
With rising star Phil Foden ready to step into de Bruyne’s position, City may already have a plan in place for the midfielder’s departure. Foden played a crucial role in City’s Premier League triumph this season, even being considered a potential Ballon d’Or candidate. While de Bruyne remains one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, injuries have been a growing concern.
De Bruyne has missed multiple matches due to injuries in recent seasons, prompting Guardiola to rely on alternative options like Julian Alvarez and Foden. The decision to potentially reinvest the money paid to de Bruyne in other areas of the squad may be considered by Guardiola. City, despite their FA Cup defeat, remains the dominant force in English soccer, with a history of making difficult decisions for the benefit of the club and facing another one regarding de Bruyne’s future.
The Belgian midfielder’s passing ability has been crucial to City’s style of play, but his increasing injury proneness raises concerns about his longevity. Guardiola may need to weigh the options of keeping de Bruyne or finding a suitable replacement as City continues to strive for success in the Premier League. De Bruyne’s future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain, with the club potentially at a turning point in deciding the fate of their star player. The decision could have significant implications for City’s future success in English soccer.
