"I Just Want to Play Football" – Kevin De Bruyne Addresses his Manchester City Future
The Manchester City star opens up about his struggles with injuries, his uncertain contract situation, and his determination to return to top form.
Kevin De Bruyne, one of the most influential players in Manchester City’s history, has addressed questions about his future at the club. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the 33-year-old Belgian midfielder revealed he’s not rushing into any decisions, choosing instead to prioritize his recovery from injury and return to top form on the pitch.
De Bruyne has endured a tough start to the current season, plagued by injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for an extended period. He hasn’t started a match in over two months, with his last appearance being a brief substitute role. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord, the playmaker shared his perspective.
When asked about his future at City, De Bruyne responded candidly:
“Honestly, I don’t know. When I started the season, I knew talks about my contract would happen. I even had a conversation in the summer, but then I got injured. At that point, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to discuss my future.”
De Bruyne emphasized that his primary focus is regaining full fitness and performing at his best again:
“I just want to play football. I’ve put everything else to the side for now. My situation doesn’t make me uncomfortable; there’s no rush to make a decision.”
The Belgian midfielder admitted he initially thought his injury was minor but later realized it was more serious than expected:
“When I came back at the start of the season, I felt great. Then I had a small problem during the Brentford game, but it turned out to be worse than I thought. I couldn’t kick the ball or move properly, which was incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, I’m starting to feel better now.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who recently signed a contract extension himself, spoke highly of De Bruyne’s importance to the team. Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of returning to peak fitness, particularly at De Bruyne’s age.
“He’s not 24 or 25 anymore, so it will take time for him to find his rhythm and play 90 minutes. But once he’s back, Kevin will give us something unique. We need him.”
Guardiola also praised De Bruyne’s honesty and dedication, suggesting the player would make the best decision for himself and the club:
“Kevin will want to leave the club only if he feels he can no longer contribute at the level he expects from himself. He has been phenomenal for us over the past decade.”
De Bruyne’s current injury woes began in a game against Brentford earlier this season, though the full extent of the problem wasn’t immediately clear. The setback forced him to miss several key matches, including City’s recent rough patch of five consecutive defeats across all competitions.
The playmaker reflected on his recovery process:
“I couldn’t move freely or do what I needed to do to play at my best. It’s been a tough and frustrating period, but I’m happy to finally be making progress.”
As De Bruyne focuses on returning to action, speculation about his future at Manchester City will inevitably continue. His contract situation, combined with Guardiola’s faith in his abilities, suggests that the club and player could eventually reach an agreement. However, De Bruyne’s commitment to staying fit and contributing at the highest level remains his top priority.
With De Bruyne’s potential return to full fitness on the horizon, Manchester City will be hopeful that their star midfielder can play a crucial role in turning their season around. Whether he stays beyond this campaign or chooses a new path, De Bruyne’s legacy at the Etihad is already firmly cemented.
