Kevin De Bruyne has brought his time at Manchester City to an end. The Belgian midfielder, one of the team's pillars over the past decade, has announced that he will leave the club at the end of this season. His departure not only represents the exit of an exceptional footballer, but also the symbolic closing of a golden era under Pep Guardiola's leadership.
With De Bruyne goes City's brain, the player who set the pace, who delivered impossible passes, and who appeared at key moments. For Guardiola, this is as much an emotional loss as a sporting one, since the Belgian was not only one of his favorite players, but also one of the leaders in the locker room. Thus, his departure forces the coach to rethink his system and look for a reliable replacement.
It will be a busy summer in Manchester
De Bruyne's departure marks the beginning of a summer that is expected to be intense at the Etihad. Manchester is preparing for a renewal, in a club that, despite its success, needs to adjust the squad after the poor year they've had. For this reason, it is not ruled out that along with De Bruyne, other important names such as Bernardo Silva could also leave, who has hinted on several occasions at his desire to take on new challenges.
With a market full of opportunities and rivals strengthening, City needs to reinvent itself without losing competitiveness. Guardiola will have to make key decisions to keep his team at the top, and for that, he is aiming high on his wish list. The coach wants immediate quality solutions and, at the same time, is looking for players capable of adapting to his play style.
Pep's big dream
According to "Relevo", Pep Guardiola's biggest desire to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne is Dani Olmo. The Spanish midfielder, who returned to Barça last summer, has always been liked by the Catalan coach.
Olmo, trained at La Masia, knows well the play style Guardiola proposes and would fit naturally into City's system. In this sense, Pep sees him as the perfect heir to De Bruyne, both for his technical qualities and his competitive maturity.
His level in recent matches is a concern
Despite the expectations caused by his signing, Dani Olmo has not managed to shine in his return. Injuries have been a recurring factor that has prevented him from having continuity. In addition, in decisive matches he has not shown his level. In fact, these factors have fueled some criticism, although the club still trusts his potential.
For now, it seems unlikely that Barça will be willing to sell him, unless they go through a very delicate financial situation. His profile is valued by Deco and Flick, and only a massive offer or urgent need could open the exit door for him. City's interest is real, but convincing Barça will not be an easy task.