‘Unique’ De Bruyne one of the greats, says Guardiola

Manchester, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola said Kevin De Bruyne will be remembered as one of the greatest ever players in the Premier League after the Belgian announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

De Bruyne, 33, has been instrumental to City´s rise as the dominant force in English football since joining from Wolfsburg for £55 million ($72 million) in 2015. He has won 14 major trophies at the Etihad, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.

De Bruyne has scored 106 goals and provided 174 assists in 413 appearances for City. “He is one of the greatest midfielders ever to play in this country and for this club - there is no doubt,” Guardiola said on Friday. “We´ve won a lot of trophies and he´s been involved in every single one.”

The City captain´s influence has diminished in recent seasons due to injury problems. He missed five months last season due to a hamstring tear and has started just 21 of City´s 47 matches in all competitions this season despite the struggles of Guardiola´s side to match the standards they have set over the past decade.

But Guardiola hailed De Bruyne´s consistency and durability during his peak years that allowed City to hoover up silverware. “For his consistency, except the last year, year-and-a-half, due to injury problems. The consistency in important games and not important games, every three days being there all the time,” added Guardiola.