Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his disappointment after discovering that the club would not be offering him a new contract, revealing that the decision left him feeling “a bit surprised.” Speaking after City’s 2-0 win over Everton, the 33-year-old Belgian international opened up about his feelings surrounding the situation, admitting that learning of the club’s decision was “not nice.”
De Bruyne, who has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent form in recent seasons, acknowledged that while his performances may not have been at their best this season, he still believes in his ability to contribute at the highest level. He explained:
“There was a little bit (of shock) when I found out I wouldn’t be offered a contract extension. I didn’t have any offer from them through the whole year and the club made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised, but I have to accept it. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing, but I understand that clubs have to make decisions. It was half a week till I reported it out and it wasn’t nice.”
De Bruyne also admitted that the timing of the news was difficult, especially since his family was away on holiday, making the situation even stranger. Despite his age, the Belgium international feels he has more to offer and shared his thoughts with City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano, stating:
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. I know I’m not 25 anymore, but I still feel like I can do my job.”
Although injuries have been a recurring issue for De Bruyne in recent years, his talent remains undeniable, as shown in his stellar performance against Crystal Palace earlier this month. With his contract expiring soon, several clubs are likely to be interested in securing his services, but the challenge will be finding a team able to match his current wages at City.
De Bruyne, however, isn’t ready to call time on his career just yet. He revealed that he’s open to new opportunities, considering both sporting and personal factors, stating:
“I’m open for anything because I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting reasons, family and everything together.”
Before his potential exit, De Bruyne is focused on helping Manchester City secure their Champions League qualification and make a strong finish to the season.
