By Martin Graham
As the final whistle blew at the Etihad Stadium, the iconic sound of Seven Nation Army echoed through the stands. Fans adapted the tune to chant Kevin De Bruyne’s name, honoring the midfielder who is nearing the end of a remarkable decade with Manchester City. On what was his second-to-last appearance at home, the 33-year-old took a slow walk around the pitch, visibly emotional as he acknowledged the supporters for one of the final times.
De Bruyne netted the only goal in City’s 1-0 win over Wolves, a result that may help secure a spot in next season’s Champions League. Speaking after the match, he admitted he was unsure about what lies ahead and shared his surprise over not receiving a new offer from the club. He insisted his recent displays prove his ongoing value, saying he’s delivered consistent performances over the last month despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
City boss Pep Guardiola praised the midfielder, pointing to his decisive contributions in recent games, including a comeback against Crystal Palace and the match-winner against Wolves. Guardiola described De Bruyne as irreplaceable and said he had been central to the club’s long-term success. He thanked the Belgian for everything, highlighting not just his skill but also his emotional bond with the fans.
The Belgian international has gathered an impressive collection of 16 trophies since joining from Wolfsburg, and many believe his influence remains strong despite recent injury troubles. Although his pace and pressing may have declined, he demonstrated his finesse once again with a composed finish from a Jeremy Doku assist. The Etihad crowd gave him a standing ovation as he made way for Phil Foden late in the match.
Former defender Micah Richards shared his view that De Bruyne could still compete at the top level. He acknowledged the physical decline that comes with age but argued that the midfielder’s intelligence and control of the ball remain intact. Richards, speaking as a supporter, felt the veteran still had one more season to offer.
De Bruyne’s final appearance at home will take place against Bournemouth, with trips to Fulham and Southampton completing the league campaign. His time at City could end on a high if the team lifts the FA Cup after the upcoming final against Crystal Palace.
In statistical terms, De Bruyne remains among the best. Only Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure have more Premier League goals for City after turning 30. He has also reached 250 goal involvements under Guardiola, a feat matched only by Lionel Messi. Jamie Carragher believes De Bruyne remains superior to many top players and suggested the player still sees himself at the highest level of European competition.
Despite all of this, financial factors may have guided the club’s stance. Injuries have limited De Bruyne to 43 league appearances over two seasons, and he remains one of the top earners in football. From a business angle, the club may have seen extending his contract as too risky. Still, for many – including Carragher – De Bruyne deserves a statue for his contributions and is viewed as possibly the greatest player in City’s history.
