Departing captain Kevin De Bruyne was “surprised” to be told his Manchester City career was over as he feels he can still perform at the highest level.
The Belgium playmaker turns 34 in June but, unlike his mid-30-something rivals at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, he has not been offered the chance to extend his 10-year career at the Etihad.
De Bruyne believes City have erred on that front and feels had the club’s season been up to standard – they are in a battle just to secure Champions League football despite the 2-0 win at Everton – he may have been asked to stay.
“I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision,” he said.
“Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions.
“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision.”
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring Man City’s first goal against Crystal Palace
De Bruyne said he has not made any decisions about his future as he is concentrating on the race to secure a top-five spot to extend City’s run in the Champions League into a 15th successive season.
He has already been linked with moves to Major League Soccer in the United States, but it appears he still has designs on playing at the highest level he can for as long as he can.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I’m not 25 any 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 heaped praise on the midfielder as he nears a Manchester City exit at the end of the season.
“I’m open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family.
“I like to play football. I like to compete. That’s what I feel so I can’t say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I’m in training I want to beat the guys.
“I feel like I’m doing really well and that’s why I’ve also played a lot lately.”
More to follow…
