The news that this will be Kevin De Bruyne's last season as a Manchester City player is not a shocking thing. However, this is still a sad story. Not only fans of The Citizens but many other fans will also remember De Bruyne's running at the Etihad.
The compliments for the Belgian midfielder are not enough. Man City will definitely honor him in the coming months. Most people - even opposing fans - would rate De Bruyne as one of the Premier League's greatest players.
At the Etihad, the whole world recognizes the 33-year-old player as a perfect midfielder. De Bruyne has been in both legs with long-range shots that have become a trademark.
The Belgian midfielder has scored 29 goals from outside the box. No player in the past 15 years has scored more goals than De Bruyne in the Premier League from outside the box. deep defensive teams against Man City are often helpless when De Bruyne moves their feet to launch powerful long-range shots.
If David Silva is the one who best suits the style Guardiola applied at Barcelona, De Bruyne has recreated that style in the Premier League. De Bruyne is a combination of controlling play and impressive physical strength.
When it comes to creativity, De Bruyne is absolute. He has led the assist tally since signing with Man City and has shown surprising endurance. The number of big chances he has created in the Premier League for the Citizens is 194 - 65 times more than any other player.
Even under a coach who saw possession as a bonus like Guardiola, De Bruyne was an adventurous player, someone willing to accept the risk of losing the ball to create miracles. Guardiola accepts that because it helps his team win and win titles.
Man City's first Premier League title under Guardiola would not have been possible without the 33-year-old. De Bruyne was the driving force for the whole team to move up when he was named Citizens' Player of the Year 4 times.
This season has witnessed De Bruyne's decline in form as he has been constantly injured. He himself admitted that when he thought that time did not wait for anyone. However, even this season, no player in the Premier League has created regular opportunities like De Bruyne every time he is on the pitch.
In short, De Bruyne will leave the Etihad as a legend.
