In a recent segment with ESPN UK, former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf urged Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne to leave this summer. Leboeuf said,
“What’s going to happen to Manchester City a year from now? With the 115 charges. We don’t know when it is going to fall down.
“For others and for him (de Bruyne), what is going to happen? You have an opportunity to get so much money that you have never, ever dreamt about. That might be the time to go.”
De Bruyne’s Impressive Form In Premier League Football
The 33-year-old had a decent campaign at the Mancunian club as he put in a series of impressive displays for them in the Premier League. De Bruyne registered six goals and secured 18 assists in 26 matches for Man City last season in multiple competitions.
The Belgium international was a constant menace in the final third based on his average of 2.4 shots, 3.3 key passes, 1.9 crosses and 0.6 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He was even accurate when distributing possession in the opponent’s half, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 83.8% in the English first division (stats via whoscored).
Should Manchester City Boss Pep Guardiola Cash In On De Bruyne?
De Bruyne can strike the ball with venom and precision from long range and has got the vision to create a lot of meaningful chances for his teammates to find the back of the net. He is usually quite clever with his movements in and around the opponent’s penalty area.
The Belgian talent proved himself to be a serial match-winner for Man City in the previous campaign. At 33, he could be a player on the decline. However, there is no denying that de Bruyne remains one of the first names in Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet.
His current contract at the Etihad Stadium will run out at the end of next season. Thus, Man City would struggle not to cash in on him if they receive a favourable offer from Saudi Arabia this summer.
De Bruyne’s potential exit could also open up a space for Julian Alvarez to be a regular starter at the Mancunian club in the coming seasons. All in all, Guardiola should consider selling his star midfielder this summer.
