Manchester City hero Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave the club at the end of the season but the question remains over when his actual finale for the dethroned champions will be
Kevin De Bruyne has admitted that he still doesn’t know whether he will play for Manchester City at the Club World Cup. The brilliant Belgian midfielder has not been offered a new contract by the Blues after a decade of service at the Etihad and his current deal expires at the end of June - bang in the middle of the extended FIFA tournament in the United States.
De Bruyne is waiting to hear from Pep Guardiola whether he is in his plans for the 32-team competition. But he suggested that if his next club thinks going to America with City is a risk they don’t want to take then he will play his last game for City at Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.
Asked if he ill be going to the CWC, De Bruyne said: “I don't know. For me, it will depend on whatever happens in the future, you know, depending on what team I'll go to and what competition I'll play in.
“Also, if the new team doesn't want me to play and doesn't want to risk whatever happens. I haven't really spoken to City about it, so I don't know. If they want to have a conversation, we can. But I'm not sure about this.”
City fans have launched an appeal to fund a £5,000 tifo banner thanking De Bruyne for his service, which they plan to display at the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace on May 17. The 33-year-old was shocked when City told him he wasn’t in their future plans - and has been in inspired form since he went public with their decision on social media.
Guardiola confirmed there will be no U-turn on the decision after De Bruyne bagged a priceless winner for City against Wolves on Friday night to boost their chances of a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. The former Chelsea and Wolfsburg playmaker is hugely popular with team-mates and fans.
And Belgian winger Jeremy Doku insisted De Bruyne is still capable of playing at the highest level after setting up the midfielder’s winning strike at the Etihad.
Doku said: “Obviously it’s very sad that Kevin is leaving because I do think he still has the qualities to play here - and he’s shown it again.
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“Kevin is one of the biggest legends in the history of this club. To see a player of his calibre leave is sad and I can understand the fans being sad. I just enjoy every moment I play with him and would say the supporters have to do the same.
“It’s a pity he’s going to leave us but I still play with him in the national team so I can still get to enjoy that. I have only been for two seasons but I have seen what kind of impact he’s had even before I came.”
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