Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has made it clear that, in the event that Kevin De Bruyne leaves the team in the near future, finding a replacement would be “almost impossible.” With growing interest from Saudi Arabia and his contract expiring in 2025, City may soon face the daunting task of replacing one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever midfielders. De Bruyne, 32, has been one of the most influential players during Guardiola’s golden era.
Why it’s hard to replace De Bruyne De Bruyne has been Guardiola’s creative heartbeat since joining City in 2015. He combines elite vision, passing range, and goal contributions in a way that few players in world football can match. He is a one-of-a-kind talent because he can set the pace, give assists that are perfect by an inch, and score crucial goals. The rarity of his skills can be seen in Guardiola’s admission that he cannot be replaced because it would be “almost impossible.” Statistical Impact: De Bruyne has been the driving force behind multiple domestic trebles, Champions League success, and more than 100 assists in the Premier League alone. Tactical Flexibility: He is indispensable in Guardiola’s fluid system because he excels in multiple roles, such as a No. 10, a deep-lying playmaker, or even a false nine. Big-Game Mentality: His performances in crucial matches, like his masterclass against Real Madrid in the 2022-23 Champions League, demonstrate that he cannot be replaced. Possible Solutions in the Event of De Bruyne’s Exit While no one player can match De Bruyne’s impact, Guardiola and City may need to consider other options: Internal substitutes Phil Foden: The England star has advanced to a more central role and may now have more creative control.
Bernardo Silva: Bernardo Silva is another versatile playmaker who can break down defenses, but his style is different from De Bruyne’s. Mateo Kovai and Matheus Nunes: More defensive, but they might be able to redistribute creative responsibilities. Tactical Modifications City’s system could be modified by Guardiola to rely less on a single playmaker and instead spread out creativity among multiple players (wingers like Jérémy Doku or Jack Grealish taking on more playmaking responsibilities, for example). a shift away from direct through balls, De Bruyne’s specialty, and toward a more possession-based strategy. Market Transfer Options Baer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is a young, dynamic attacking midfielder with a lot of potential. An elite dribbler and creator, Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) is difficult to elude. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimares has a different look, but he could give the midfield control. However, none of these alternatives would be an exact replacement, as Guardiola suggests.
