During a pre-match press conference, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard disclosed that intense competition for positions led to Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from the club in 2014. Since leaving Chelsea, the Belgian superstar has established himself as one of the world’s finest midfielders.
Kevin De Bruyne: Early Life
De Bruyne joined Chelsea in January 2012 from Genk for a reported fee of £7 million. However, he remained on loan at Genk for the remainder of the season before spending the 2012-13 season on loan at Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. Upon his return to Chelsea for the following season, he struggled to integrate himself into Jose Mourinho’s team, making only nine appearances. Subsequently, De Bruyne joined Wolfsburg, where he successfully rebuilt his reputation in European football.
In the 2015-16 season, Manchester City secured the signature of the Belgian international, and since then, De Bruyne has emerged as one of the premier midfielders in the world.
Frank Lampard, who was still an active player for Chelsea during De Bruyne’s time at the club, shared his perspective on why the Belgian departed. As reported by METRO, Lampard’s insights were conveyed during the press conference:
“Kevin was fighting more for the No.10 position or one of the two wide players.”
“When he was with us in his younger days, we were probably quite well stacked in those attacking areas. Eden [Hazard] was here, [Andre] Schurrle was here, Juan Mata was here, and what I remember from Kevin was a real hunger and desire to come in and play.”
“I don’t personally know the intricacies of what happened at the time between him, the club and the manager but looking back now I respect the fact he did leave to play regular football. You can see that hunger in his game and he’s always wanted to showcase that talent he’s got.”
Can Kevin De Bruyne Help Manchester City Win The Treble?
Kevin De Bruyne will strive to conclude his remarkable campaign on a high note. With 10 goals and 28 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions, the Belgian midfielder will aim to continue his impressive form and create chaos at the Amex Stadium in the last two fixtures of this Premier League season against Brighton. The Sky Blues will come into the match on the back of a 1-0 victory against Chelsea in their last outing.
Furthermore, Manchester City, alongside De Bruyne, are strongly pursuing a historic treble. They are set to compete against Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10 and face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3. Pep Guardiola will be expecting a lot from the Belgian Magician, and he has rarely disappointed in big games.
