The captain left by Kevin De Bruyne was “surprised” to say his career in Manchester City was over as he thinks he can still perform at the highest level.
Belgium’s creator turns 34 in June, but, unlike his 30th Liverpool rivals, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, he has not been offered the chance to extend his 10-year career in Etihad.
De Bruyne believes City was wrong on that front and thinks the club season was up to the standard – they are in a battle just to secure the Champions League football, despite the 2-0 win in Everton – he may have been asked to stay.
“I haven’t had any offers all year. They just made a decision,” he said.
“Of course, I was a little surprised, but I just have to admit it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level as I’m telling, but I understand the clubs have to make decisions.
“Maybe if the team didn’t fight and I came back as I did this year and I lay down as normal, then maybe they make another decision.”
De Bruyne said he has made no decision for his future as he is focusing on the race to secure a five-top place to extend the City race in the Champions League in a successive 15th season.
He has already been associated with Major League Soccer movements in the United States, but he still has models to play at the highest level he can as long as he can.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. Of course I know I’m not 25 more, but I still feel like I can do my job,” he added.
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Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry take a look at some of Kevin de Bruyne’s assists and praise acclaimed in the midfield as he approaches an exit to Manchester City at the end of the season.
“I am open to nothing. I have to look at all the picture. I am looking at sports, family, everything together, what has the greatest meaning for me and my family.
“I like to play football. I like to compete. That’s what I feel, so I can’t say I want to leave because I still feel that whenever I’m in training I want to beat the boys.
“I feel like I’m doing really well and that’s why I’ve also played a lot lately.”
While De Bruyne has not excluded to remain in the Premier League, his last matches feel like a farewell tour and he was applauded at Goodison Park, where City won for successive ninth – and the last – Time thanks to the very late goals by Nico O’REILLY and Mateo Kovacic.
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Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Micah Richards and Izzy Christianen argue how good Kevin de Bruyne is and if they will include them in their Premier League XI at all times, after the midfielder announced that he will leave Manchester City.
At least, he looked like one of the few players trying to inject life into a show that was inanimate and had no intensity and any true threat of purpose until the 84th minute.
“Something something really rare to get out and get a applause from another team, so I just want to say thank you for them. I think they value the way I play,” De Bruyne said.
“The way Everton plays is difficult. In defense they are healthy and we tried to break it, but it was difficult.
“We had difficulty going forward, especially in the first half. We need two late goals, but I think we did well.”
