Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne There are a decisive 12 months ahead of him in his outstanding career in Manchester.
The Belgian international has enjoyed cult status at the Etihad Stadium since joining in 2015 and will surpass the 400-game mark for the club in the coming months.
However, speculation continues over his long-term future, with the 33-year-old hinting at the possibility of moving to the Saudi Pro League before retiring.
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His current contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season and City are open to offering him an extension given concerns about his injury history.
De Bruyne missed the first half of last season through injury but returned to play a key role in City’s fourth consecutive EPL title before joining Belgium at Euro 2024.
ESPN FC football expert Craig Burley has weighed in on the debate surrounding De Bruyne’s ageing limbs, with the former Scotland international saying he is concerned about how he will cope with his demanding schedule.
“Kevin De Bruyne did not have a great season (2023/24), especially in the second half when he came back from injury after a six-month break,” he said.
“Personally, I thought he seemed sluggish at the European Championships. Is time catching up with him? You could say he’s been their best player for some time, certainly their most important.”
De Bruyne has previously spoken out in favour of reducing the playing load of top players, particularly in the form of additional international matches, but he is expected to continue playing for Belgium this season.
Pep Guardiola may rotate him more often in the 2024/25 season to keep him fresh for important matches, with the Spanish coach hoping to avoid another setback for De Bruyne.
