When Belgian and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne departed Chelsea for Wolfsburg in 2013 for a mere €22 million transfer fee, few could have foreseen his return to the Premier League two years later, let alone his ascent to become one of its greatest-ever players and perhaps the finest playmaker the league has ever witnessed.
Yet, that’s precisely the trajectory the Belgian maestro embarked upon. Since joining Manchester City in 2015, De Bruyne has been the driving force behind the Sky Blues’ incessant trophy hauls, with his creativity and vision standing unmatched and unsurpassed.
Since he arrived at Manchester City in 2015, De Bruyne has been Europe’s assist leader across the top five leagues, contributing significantly to City’s triumphs, including five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and the historic Champions League victory last season.
The 32-year-old midfielder, a two-time winner of the PFA Player of the Year award, has been pivotal in Manchester City’s pursuit of European glory, culminating in the club’s maiden Champions League triumph last June, a feat that had long eluded Pep Guardiola’s side.
As Man City embarks on another quest for European supremacy, De Bruyne’s influence remains paramount. Since joining the Citizens, only Neymar has provided more assists in the Champions League, a testament to De Bruyne’s impact on the grandest stage of club football.
His performances in crucial matches have been exemplary, exemplified by his contributions in last season’s semi-final against Real Madrid, where he notched up crucial goals and assists. Despite missing a significant part of the 2023/24 season due to injury, De Bruyne’s return has revitalized City’s creative spark, with his astounding statistics since his comeback underscoring his indispensability to the team’s success.
With his return coinciding with Manchester City’s crucial run-in, the Belgian maestro is poised to play a pivotal role in the club’s pursuit of back-to-back Champions League titles.
