'i've Shown I Can Still Play Here' - Is De Bruyne Leaving Too Soon?

As nan White Stripes deed Seven Nation Army pumped retired complete nan Etihad Stadium speakers astatine full-time connected Friday night, Manchester City supporters sang nan sanction of leader Kevin de Bruyne to that very tune.

The midfielder is bidding an affectional farewell aft 11 trophy-laden years astatine nan club, and nan Belgian soaked up nan acclaim by taking nan agelong way astir nan transportation earlier heading down nan tunnel.

The 33-year-old will beryllium disappearing for bully erstwhile his City statement expires successful nan summer, but present he was capable to bask different deserved infinitesimal successful nan limelight - his penultimate crippled astatine nan Etihad.

De Bruyne struck nan only extremity successful nan 1-0 Premier League triumph against in-form Wolves, which whitethorn guarantee City play Champions League shot adjacent season.

The midfielder said last month he was amazed not to beryllium offered a caller statement - and wanted to make a constituent astir his abilities aft nan game.

"I don't cognize astir nan early unfortunately," a serious-looking De Bruyne told Sky Sports. "I person shown I tin still play here, different I don't do what I do these past 4 aliases 5 weeks.

"A batch of team-mates person spoken to me, they are sad besides that I person to go. It goes for illustration this successful life, but nan measurement I americium performing is nan measurement I should be.

"I conscionable effort to play arsenic good arsenic I can. I person 1 crippled near here. I effort to do my occupation arsenic ever and I did that. I americium proud of what I americium doing."

De Bruyne will undoubtedly spell down arsenic 1 of nan Premier League's champion midfielders erstwhile he departs successful nan summer.

The erstwhile Chelsea and Wolfsburg subordinate has stacked his trophy furniture by winning each location is to triumph astatine City - an awesome haul of 16 trophies.

A succession of injuries person taken their toll, and De Bruyne's power connected nan transportation appears to beryllium waning by not being nan pass-master of old.

But he showed a glimpse of what he is still tin disconnected by converting a cool, first-time decorativeness from Jeremy Doku's cross.

The skipper was afforded a opinionated ovation erstwhile he was replaced by Phil Foden pinch six minutes to go, and was fixed a pat connected nan caput by Guardiola aft coming off.

"Just convey you," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "His publication successful nan crippled against Crystal Palace erstwhile we were 2-0 down and he delivers, and coming nan extremity again.

"I americium happy that it is finishing that way, and we person 1 much crippled successful nan Etihad.

"I want nan champion for Kevin truthful it cannot beryllium imaginable to person done these galore years without him. He has been an unthinkable subordinate - but nan business is what it is.

"It's almost intolerable to switch this benignant of player. It is not conscionable nan performance, it is what he intends to nan bosom for our fans for many, galore years. The occurrence we person belongs to nan players."

Guardiola added: "I americium beautiful judge it is not easy for him but nan extremity was massively important for america - it lifted our spirits.

"He does not person to beryllium anything. I cognize his quality, his level."

De Bruyne's last location crippled will travel against Bournemouth connected 20 May, pinch distant matches to play astatine Southampton and Fulham.

And he tin guarantee a dream ending if City hit Crystal Palace successful nan FA Cup last astatine Wembley.

"Maybe he is still bully capable to play here," said erstwhile Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

"Maybe he hasn't nan press, but value - he believes he tin still play astatine nan apical level. He has said he is playing injury-free now.

"Age catches up though pinch you, and your assemblage can't do what you want to do. But he keeps nan shot and his shot intelligence is still there. He is telling nan nine 'I tin still play astatine this level'.

"I americium talking arsenic a fan, and I americium a instrumentality of KDB. Something successful maine conscionable says 'one much year' - he tin still do it. Maybe it is conscionable a business decision."

Does Richards person a point?

De Bruyne has scored 30 Premier League goals since turning 30 years old, pinch Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure nan only players to people much for City pinch 41 apiece.

He became nan first subordinate since nan awesome Lionel Messi to registry 250 extremity involvements nether Guardiola, pinch 92 goals and 158 assists successful 9 seasons.

Meanwhile, Wolves will beryllium gladsome to spot nan backmost of De Bruyne arsenic nan midfielder has now scored six goals and provided 5 assists successful 11 convention games against them.

But complete nan past 2 seasons, nan Belgian has made conscionable 43 Premier League appearances because of a bid of injuries.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said De Bruyne is still "levels supra nan elite players successful nan world", adding: "He doesn't deliberation he has vanished astatine nan apical level.

"He still thinks he tin play astatine nan apical level of European football. I thought possibly he would spell to Saudi Arabia aliases America, but aft proceeding him speak, it sounds for illustration he isn't fresh for that.

"He is 1 of nan highest-paid players successful world shot and has been injured a lot. It has been difficult to warrant giving him a caller woody from a business constituent of view. He is still a prima subordinate but he is not going to play each week.

"Let's talk astir nan statue - for maine he is Manchester City's top ever player."