Mika Richards believes Man City may be wrong in allowing Kevin de Bruin to have a free transfer, but Jamie Rednap says the “genius” Belgian International can still offer much in the Premier League.
Midfielder De Bruin said emotional farewell to his supporters after appearing in the final city at Etihad Stadium in his 3-1 Premier League victory at Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
The next destination for the 33-year-old is unknown, and Richards feels he is still a major asset on Pep Guardiola’s part next season.
“To ensure that this type of player is free, you can’t sit right,” Richards said on Sky Sports.
“He has a lot more to offer this football club.
“I could see him in a deeper role without the numbers he once had. But on the ball, things always dominate the ball anyway. He could still work with the ball.
“But they made a decision. That’s not intended. Wherever he goes, he does exactly what he’s been doing for the past decade. He still has a lot to offer at the highest level.
“He’s a superstar and an absolute superstar.”
Belgian International DeBruin has scored 108 goals in 421 matches for the city since joining Germany’s club Wolfsberg in 2015.
During his ten years of stay, he became City’s most successful player, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cups.
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Thierry Henry, Virgil van Dyke and others look back at what makes Kevin de Bruin so special
“He lets football talk,” Richards said. “He’s a very shy character, but I’ve seen him over the years and saw how humble he is and how great he is.
“He deserves him to be sent off. Everyone who played with him talks high about him and doing what he did in the Premier League is just sensational.”
There are soccer players and legends. He is a legend. He is a Man City legend and a Premier League legend.
Can De Bruyne stay in the Premier League?
Kevin De Bruin says goodbye to the Etihad crowd after his final home game in Manchester City
Richards fellow critic Jamie Rednap labels De Bruin as a “genius” and believes he could remain in British football beyond this season.
In April, Sky Sports News reported that Aston Villa had internal discussions about the potential moves of Debruis, but four MLS clubs, Inter Miami, Chicago Fire, NYCFC and DC United, enquired about the players’ professional and economic expectations.
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Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruin has not ruled out the possibility of a move to another side of the Premier League
“I asked him, ‘What’s next? What do you think?'” Rednap, interviewing Debruin on Monday for Sky Sports, said: “I asked him, ‘What’s next?’ And he said, “It’s probably the Premier League, but I don’t know.”
“There was no category called “Absolutely not” so who knows? Not only is he a great player, but he also has the ego of wanting to prove himself.
“I can’t wait to see what his next move is,” he added. “He might go for a deeper role.
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Kevin De Bruin says he’s “maybe” talking with Premier League clubs when he answers questions about his future after Manchester City lost to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final
“If there are few Premier League clubs, I’m going to be surprised and appealing because a lot of people can’t afford him.
“There are football players, there are legends, he is legend, he is an absolute legend of this football club, and a Premier League legend.
“We use the word ‘amazing’ a lot. What’s great does not do justice to him. He is a genius. ”
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Kevin De Bruin was given a deserved send-off from Manchester City fans after being replaced by the club’s final home game
In the photo: de Bruyne’s farewell to Etihad…
He’ll be overlooked – Pep pays homage to Kevin de Bruin
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Pep Guardiola gave his post-game response after Man City took another step to strengthening football opportunities in the Champions League next season, giving him the gratitude Kevin De Bruin received from his fans
Guardiola, meanwhile, called it a sad day.
The city was in tears as De Bruyne was honored on the big screen. Sergio Aguero, Mike Summerby, Fernandinho, Eimeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sain, Pablo Zabareta, Joe Hart, Riad Marez and Vincent Copany were among the greats and former players of the club that specialised in Montage.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Guardiola said: “There are things you can’t buy, honestly.
“What’s important is the feelings of him, his family and our fans,” he added. “Everyone saw how much the people of Manchester City are connected to him and his family, and how much love did they see? [they have].
“The title is great, everything he accomplished, but there is nothing else when he leaves ten years later with so much respect and gratitude.
“The club will make a decision, I’m part of it, but it’s a sad day and he’ll be overlooked, there’s no doubt about it.”
It was true that we felt something, that was his day we wanted to win for him. The atmosphere we had since we arrived was there.
The city has chilled interest in Florian Wiltz. They are looking for a long-term successor to De Bruin, but Guardiola has admitted that filling his boots is not an easy task.
“Like Sergio (Aguero), such players are unique and he has set the most important goals in history…
“Ten years are a lot of games, lot of titles, lot of moments. I summarise how much love there is today. It’s so lovely, really good.”
