Kevin De Bruyne's Manchester City career is coming to an end very, very soon and there is no guarantee he will start in his final Etihad match against Bournemouth on Tuesday night
Comments
Sport
Pep Guardiola isn't making any promises to Kevin De Bruyne over his Man City send off
Pep Guardiola isn't making any promises to Kevin De Bruyne over his Man City send off
(Image: Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has refused to guarantee that Kevin De Bruyne will start his final home game for Manchester City. De Bruyne is leaving the club when his contract expires this summer.
The Belgian star is set to play at the Etihad in a City shirt for the final time against Bournemouth on Tuesday night. But with City still to secure Champions League qualification, Guardiola insists he will not be guided by sentiment in his selection.
The City boss said: “What Kevin wants is that we win the game to qualify for the Champions League next season. That is what Kevin wants. It cannot be otherwise.
“I’m going to decide the best so that we can have the best chance to win the game against Bournemouth.”
Whatever De Bruyne's role on Tuesday, City are planning to pay tribute after the game to one of the Premier League's greatest players. De Bruyne, winner of six league titles and the Champions League plus a host of other honours during a glorious decade in Manchester, will receive a guard of honour from team-mates and backroom staff before a light show with pyrotechnics.
READ MORE: 'He doesn't like him' – Damning Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola verdict ahead of Man City exitREAD MORE: Kevin De Bruyne sets deadline for major decision on future after announcing Man City exit
Marie and Jon Bell, wife and son respectively of former City player Colin Bell, will also be in attendance for a presentation to the 33-year-old. Next Sunday’s game at Fulham looks increasingly likely to be his last for the club, with De Bruyne not expected to be involved at the Club World Cup,
City have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz as a potential replacement, but have cooled their interest in the Germany star due to the finances involved in a deal for the 22-year-old, who they believe wants to stay in Germany with Bayern Munich.
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne was not offered a new Man City deal
Victory over Bournemouth, in what is a game in hand, would lift City into third in the table heading into their final fixture at Craven Cottage. Defeat would leave them sixth and with just one point separating the teams from third to seventh in a tight battle for top-five places. City have qualified for the Champions League every season since the 2011-12 campaign.
“Of course it’s important,” Guardiola said. “We have been in for the last 14 or 15 years and it is where we want to be – but if we are not there it is because we don’t deserve it, and we will play the Europa League.
“But I’m thinking we’re going to qualify. I control my mind and I think that. The first step is to finish in third position in the Premier League and that is the main target.”
Guardiola needs to lift his side from the disappointment of their defeat by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday. He said: “We played a really good final but not enough to win it and now we have the last two games. We need four points to be in the Champions League next year and this is enough. Everyone has to be aware of that.”
Guardiola insists he has not designated a penalty-taker for the clash with Andoni Iraola's men after Omar Marmoush missed from the spot at Wembley, as top-scorer Erling Haaland surprisingly passed up the opportunity to take the spot-kick with the side trailing.
Guardiola, who insisted that they made that decision on the field, said: “I didn’t talk with them. We train this afternoon. It’s so clear – the taker has to score a goal.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.