Kevin De Bruyne is one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Having started his career in England at Chelsea, the Belgian star put his struggles at Stamford Bridge behind him when joining Man City in 2015 as the midfielder went on to win everything at the Etihad Stadium, racking up 417 appearances at City, producing 107 goals alongside 177 assists.
De Bruyne’s Man City career is set to come to an end this summer and it remains unclear where the 33-year-old will go next.
Remaining in England has not been ruled out by De Bruyne and maybe a return to Chelsea could be on the cards as putting that wrong right could motivate the Belgian superstar after previously struggling to make it in London.
Ashley Cole details Kevin De Bruyne’s struggles at Chelsea
De Bruyne spent two years at Chelsea between 2012 and 2014, which was during a time when Ashley Cole’s career at the West London club was coming to an end.
Chris Sutton thinks De Bruyne is not good enough to play for a top Premier League club anymore, but if an offer from Chelsea arrives, the Belgian star may consider it having failed to make it at Stamford Bridge previously, with his struggles now shared by Cole.
Speaking on the latest episode of Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic?, the former left-back stated that De Bruyne did not understand what it took to reach the next level in his career at Chelsea and that his experiences abroad helped him to discover it.
“So I worked with him at Chelsea. He was obviously really… Not worked with him, played with him super young, but maybe didn’t understand what it took to get to the next level,” Cole said.
“To get to a Lamps level. He wanted to get there, but I don’t think he could get there at that moment. Him, Lukaku, Mo Salah, you know, when you look at the careers they’ve all had now, sometimes it just takes that little break where they go, all right, not your time now.
“Go abroad, continue your trade. You learn, you grow, you develop. And then to now go from where he was at Chelsea to where he is now, you know, on the brink of leaving City.”
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What is the latest on Kevin De Bruyne’s future
With Man City pushing for a place in next season’s Champions League and with the FA Cup up for grabs, De Bruyne will be fully focussed on these goals at present and is likely to decide his future during the summer.
Don Hutchison has suggested Liverpool as De Bruyne’s next destination, but remaining in the Premier League is unlikely given the midfielder’s relationship with Man City.
The perfect place for the 33-year-old to move next would be to the MLS, and more specifically, Inter Miami. The American franchise have shown interest in De Bruyne and a link-up with Lionel Messi would create moments the Man City captain would never forget.
