Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has named ex-Chelsea star N’Golo Kante and former Liverpool player Fabinho as the two “most difficult” opponents he has faced during his time playing in the Premier League.
The Belgian international will end his association with the Cityzens after a decade when his contract expires next month and, reflecting on the players he has come up against, De Bruyne said:
“In the Premier League, the most difficult, I would say Kante, Fabinho was really strong at his time with [Jordan] Henderson and [James] Milner because they cover so much space and they are so aggressive. But I would say probably these two stood out. They are probably the most difficult in the way that they played. Also because they are different.”
Most Read on Man City News
“Kante is small, but he covers so much space, and he’s a bit tricky. If people are more defensive midfielders, they are more bulky and slower, but Kante is speed and agility, so he’s a very different player to play against.”
De Bruyne has played his final home game
The 33-year-old said farewell to the Etihad after the 3-1 win against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening. He was substituted midway through the second half.
De Bruyne was serenaded throughout the game by the home crowd. The midfielder could have even gotten on the scoresheet but he somehow missed an open goal in the opening 45 minutes. However, nothing was going to spoil his send off.
He may leave City before the Club World Cup
In addition to the final game of the season against Fulham this weekend, De Bruyne could still play three more competitive fixtures for the Cityzens.
The Club World Cup group games versus Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus are all scheduled to take place before his contract runs out. However, De Bruyne suggested after the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace that he would be reluctant to play in the competition as he’d be risking his fitness ahead of a transfer elsewhere. It means the match at Craven Cottage on Sunday may well be the final time we see him in a sky blue shirt.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here