Manchester City have missed Kevin De Bruyne this season during his long lay-off. The Belgian wasted little time on his return form hamstring surgery with instant impacts against Huddersfield and Newcastle, and he has more assists than any other player in the squad despite having spent five months on the sidelines. A groin injury is being managed during the international break in the hope
Pep Guardiola can see the best out of him in the big games remaining. That said, it has been frustrating for De Bruyne to pick up some minor injuries on the back of two major ones going back to last season. With his contract up at the end of next season and with interest from the Saudi Pro League in making him a marquee signing this summer, there could be pressure put on De Bruyne's situation. ALSO READ: City stars agree with Pep Guardiola warning amid player pact ALSO READ: Man City come up with alternative solution to manage Rodri request City's stance on De Bruyne De Bruyne remains hugely important to City. Even when not playing this season, he had a major part in the squad meeting in December to improve standards that has led to a 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions and his leadership qualities will be difficult to replace. Then there's the football. Nobody in world
Football can find a pass like De Bruyne and his performances in some of the biggest games last season were a testament to how comfortable he is when the pressure is at its highest. That said, De Bruyne is only capable of being that good when he isn't injured and the record will be a concern. With another international tournament in the summer, when he arrives back for pre-season aged 33 he may need some managing. City have rarely stood in a player's way when they have wanted to leave so if De Bruyne agitated to move that could move the situation on. As it is, it is not uncommon to run down a contract into the final year as they have done before with Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan. There will need to be a strategy beyond that year though given how essential De Bruyne has been to the team. Guardiola has said that Phil Foden could be the long-term replacement, but there will also need to be an eye on the market. De Bruyne's stance on City De Bruyne stood on a platform in the city centre after City's title win in 2022 and declared that he would see out his contract to make it 10years as a Blue. "I've got another three years here, I'm definitely going to stay," he said. "This is where I want to be, where I want to win trophies, this is where we want to go." That contract had been earned in part by De Bruyne commissioning an analytical report into his worth to show City how important he was, and the Belgian will want the very best from his next deal. With a happy family in Manchester, it would take something extraordinary to see him not stay for at least the rest of this contract. Saudi Pro League interest As reported elsewhere , there is interest from
Saudi Arabia in making De Bruyne the biggest name to join the league since
Cristiano Ronaldo . There are certainly the funds there to offer both player and club something extraordinary, and Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte both completed deals to teams there last season so City have experience in dealing with similar negotiations. Convincing De Bruyne to leave will be a bigger hurdling block than finding a price with City, who could even make a profit on a player they signed nine years ago. And it will have to be that way around, for De Bruyne will be kept at the Etihad as long as he is happy to stay.