While Kevin De Bruyne is preparing to make an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening, it hardly matters that a promised statue of the former Midfielder of Manchester City still has to be founded.
Admiration for the 34-year-old Belgium International, who now has his trade for the Serie A champions Napoli, has long been in Steen in the eastern corner of Manchester.
City manager Pep Guardiola was visibly moved when De Bruyne said the club an emotional farewell last season after an unforgettable decade that brought 422 performances, 108 goals and 16 major trophies.
But the tears have long been dried and Guardiola has sworn to set aside the feelings that will inevitably accompany the return of De Bruyne while the club organizes Antonio Conte’s Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday evening. Given that the Belgian has already scored twice in three games for his new employer, both times from Dead-Ball situations, that seems wise.
What did Pep Guardiola say about Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Manchester City?
“After the game,” Guardiola replied with a bitter smile when asked if he looked forward to being reunited with his former indictment.
‘Of course it is nice for him to come back. I am not surprised [by De Bruyne’s encouraging start in Italy]. Players at that level adapt so quickly; Players at that level do not need much time to adapt and perform well.
“He has [given Napoli] His incredible talent, vision, pass, goals in the last third part. He is unique. ”
If the Spaniard was wary, he simply has reason. It is difficult to think that De Bruyne is something left to prove in Manchester, and yet, despite all the warmth and fun of his farewell, it was clear that the club’s decision not to grant him a new contract was not with him.
What did Kevin De Bruyne say about leaving Manchester City?
“It is actually more businesslike for them, they have just made a decision based on that,” De Bruyne said when the decision was made public in April. “It wasn’t really a long conversation, it was exactly what they told me, and then there is nothing. I have to accept the situation, even if I feel that I can still do well.
“It was clear that I was a bit surprised, but I just have to accept it. To be honest, I still think I can perform at this level, as I show.”
It would be wrong to throw De Bruyne’s return to his spiritual house as a revenge mission. It is only 120 days since the departing Belgian stood at the Etihad voyage height and stated: “Manchester is at home.”
The emotions of that afternoon, and everything that preceded it, will still feel relatively raw and, as De Bruyne made clear for the world cup qualification of Belgium against Kazakhstan earlier this month, the experience will not be easy.
“I know it will be strange,” said De Bruyne. “City is my club, and that will never change.”
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