King Kevin's reign draws to an end
- davidjwalker1
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
We’re told all good things must come to an end. Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City takes such perceived wisdom into a whole new stratosphere.
After a wondrous 10 years of playmaking and goal scoring excellence, King Kevin's Etihad exit is more aptly described as ‘all great things coming to an end.'
Making comparisons with players from different eras is always subjective. How do you determine who was the best of the best and based on what criteria?
That said – and considering all of the collective achievements and superlative skills of the likes of David Silva, Colin Bell and Yaya Toure – it’d be hard to dispute De Bruyne’s dominant position at the top of the pile.
There’s lies, damned lies and statistics, but the 33-year-old Belgian’s numbers add up perfectly – alongside season upon season of supreme performances – 417 appearances, 106 goals and 173 assists.
With 118 assists in the Premier League, he’s second only to Ryan Giggs’ 162. With 44 more assists than De Bruyne it might be construed that Giggs was the superior player. Nothing could be further from the truth. It took the Welshman 632 games to hit that number – more than double KDB’s 281 appearances.
And then there’s the trophy haul!
With the season not yet at an end, hope springs eternal that he may yet lift the FA Cup at Wembley on May 17th. In doing so it would help salvage what has been an underwhelming season for both club and player alike.
His injuries, advancing years and fatigue – both physical and mental – means the time is right for City to seek to try and replace the irreplaceable.
If the rumours are anything to go by, Kevin could be heading Stateside to the MLS and Inter Miami.
He’d be playing alongside none other than Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup winning captain and record-winning Ballon d’Or recipient!
What a thrill that promises to be... for Messi!
The Ballon d’Or is one of the few personal accolades to have eluded City’s playmaker extraordinaire. It’s only because of the European media’s unhealthy love-in with Messi and Ronaldo, that De Bruyne was denied recognition as the World’s Best Footballer.
He’s twice been the PFA Player of the Year – the most coveted award as it’s voted for by his peers – as well as twice the Football Writers Player of The Year. The fact that he won the latter as a City player – from a body of journalists with red leaning tendencies – also speaks volumes.
Forever the touchstone of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering teams, City supporters made him their Player of the Season on four occasions – not bad going when playing alongside world class teammates such as David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany.
A regular fixture in a variety of ‘teams of the year’ throughout his career, De Bruyne has been selected for the PFA, UEFA, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup et al.
Simply listing De Bruyne’s winner’s medals and achievements would be an article in itself.
A precis looks like the following: Half-a-dozen Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, five League Cups and a brace of FA Cup winner’s medals (hopefully soon to be three) plus two Community Shield victories.
Only an injury sustained on that glorious balmy night in Istanbul on June 10th, 2023 – one that flared up at the start of the 4-In-A-Row season – denied him of playing in UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Champions winning teams.
Runners up medals in the 2021 Champions League and 2024 FA Cup finals don’t really warrant a mention for a serial winner.
Reflecting on a decade of stupendous performances, cultured passing, thunderous and deft goalscoring in equal measure, where does one even begin to pick out a favourite single moment above the rest?
I’m privileged to be able to say I’ve witnessed most of Kevin’s appearances in a City shirt – be it at the Etihad or on City away days. My standout memory came at approximately half-past-four on the afternoon of Saturday, 14th October 2017.
City were already 5-2 up against Stoke City when De Bruyne collected the ball wide out on the right wing, before progressing deeper into the opposition half.
Still 45-yards away from goal and one upward glance later, he executed an exquisitely flighted diagonal pass which curved beyond the shell-shocked Stoke defence.
All scintillating pace and purpose, Leroy Sane burst into what had – seconds before – been an unpopulated space, before doing justice to De Bruyne’s sublime, visionary passing and banging in the sixth goal.
City won 7-2 and were on the way to becoming the one and only Premier League Centurions – a team in perfect rhythm – with De Bruyne as the conductor, orchestrating football history.
A couple of matches before the landslide win, I was in the Colin Bell Stand Level 2, as City beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 in the Champions League. In front of me sat a guy making copious notes and scribbling down diagrams of City’s formation and passing routes.
As the game wore on, I leant forward and politely asked who was he ‘representing’? He said he was there at the behest of Mark Hughes – the then Stoke manager.
De Bruyne had already scored City’s opening goal – his first of the season – with a sensational curling strike from 25-yards out.
The ‘scout’ said he’d be telling Hughes to keep a watchful eye on KDB and close him down at every opportunity.
One wonders if ex-Manchester City manager Hughes, ever received the memo?
The present-day City boss, Guardiola, was fulsome in his tributes to City’s most ‘decorated’ player, referring him to as a ‘global icon of the game’ and ‘one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in this country.’
Ultimately it was Pep’s decision not to offer De Bruyne a contract extension, as the Catalan continues the process of rebuilding a new and much younger squad.
“It was not easy for me to tell him it [his City career] won’t continue,” said Pep.
In an emotional post on social media, De Bruyne wrote, "Whether we like it or not, it's time to say goodbye.
“Football led me to all of you - and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club.
"These people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back. And guess what - we won everything.
"Whether we like it or not, it's time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant for our family. Manchester will forever be on our kids' passports - and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
"This will always be our home. We cannot thank the city, club, staff, team-mates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride."
And what a ride it’s been.
Recruited while Manuel Pellegrini was in his final season as City manager – a move in which one suspects an incoming Guardiola might have had a say – it’s a given there’s a KDB statue on the way.
It’ll go up alongside the pantheon of modern-day greats, those of Silva, Aguero and Kompany, posing the same question when each of them departed – can City continue winning major trophies under Guardiola’s guidance?
History strongly suggests it can be done, but there’ll never be another quite like Kevin De Bruyne.
Dedication
This RBNR article is dedicated to the memory of Justin Chappell (28) and his Dad, Al (72) who passed away within days of each other last month. Fans are asked to honour the memory of the tragic father and son, by participating in 60 seconds of applause in both the 28th and 72nd minutes of Saturday’s game with Crystal Palace at the Etihad.
Thank you.
By David Walker
Twitter @ReadButNeverRed
@djwskyblu
Another brilliant piece David.
Where do I begin on this one the announcement left me very disappointed I was convinced Kev would be offered another year by the club but it was not to be sadly. So we say goodbye to one of the best ever to wear the shirt. Was he better than Silv,Aquero not for me to say but he was certainly up there amongst them. All that's left to say is thanks Kev for so many magical moments. The last home game will be such a sad day I think I will possible shed a tear or two.
#onceabluealwaysablue
Saying goodbye to KDB is going to be a very sad and emotional time .. another beautifully written piece which captures the King, KDB 🩵💪🏻🩵
Put into perspective by the very sad and tragic loss of the Chappells 💔Thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends .. RIP Blues, the clapping on Saturday will be loud for sure 🙏🏻🩵🙏🏻🩵
Thanks Mr RBNR 🩵
So very sad to say goodbye to Kevin but so many memories beautifully reflected in your words David.
A fitting tribute to KdB as well as Justin & Al Chappell. That sublime pass against Stoke will live long in the memory of everyone who was at The Etihad that day. Two other highlights for me: I was fortunate to be at Wolves the day he hit 4 goals (including the 3rd fastest hattrick in PL history), as well witnessing his free kick against Bournemouth that heralded Bernardo Silva's second career as a draught excluder. He will undoubtedly be sorely missed, but I have no doubt City will be back stronger and hungrier next season.