Ahead of the summer transfer window, Pep Guardiola will have to make several big decisions to rebuild his squad that could very well split opinion within the Manchester City fanbase.
But Guardiola’s fearless approach to the game is what has made him a resounding success — going back to the Catalan’s time at Barcelona where he shipped elite players like Ronaldinho and Deco out during his debut season in management.
The six-time Premier League winner has already taken a controversial decision, with Pep Guardiola sanctioning Kevin De Bruyne’s exit at the end of the season.
Kevin De Bruyne is arguably City’s greatest-ever player and with him being a free agent in the summer, journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed in his report that Liverpool have made an offer to sign him while Napoli are seriously keen as well.
Coming across the speculation, Manchester City fans fear the prospect of De Bruyne donning a Liverpool shirt next season.
Man City fans fear Kevin De Bruyne will sign for Liverpool
One fan claimed Manchester City will be to blame as a whole if De Bruyne joins Liverpool and not the player himself, writing: “I know I’m not being objective about this but if that happens, I’m going to put all the blame on the club and none on Kev, I’m sorry, but he was literally dumped and I just love De Bruyne too much not to support him wherever he goes.”
Another Manchester City fan admitted that De Bruyne potentially becoming a Liverpool player is something they would dread to see: “100%, will not be able to handle KDB to Liverpool, genuinely would lose my mind.”
A third supporter claimed Pep Guardiola and every member of City’s board should be sacked even if the report is true, stating: “If those KDB to Liverpool links are real, absolutely every single member of our board and Pep should be sacked tomorrow morning.”
A fourth supporter claimed that De Bruyne, who cost £54.5 million is still good enough to play at the highest level and he should have been offered a new contract: “The board should open their eyes and see that maybe the person they claimed isn’t good enough really is good enough considering top teams are after him.”
But fifth Manchester City fan had a different viewpoint and claimed that he would “think less” of De Bruyne if he signed for Liverpool: “I get the club have disrespected him [by not giving De Bruyne a new contract] but the fans haven’t, I’d think less of him for taking this, even if he did support them as a kid.”
Finally, a sixth supporter called out the Manchester City fans who would be fine with De Bruyne playing for Liverpool, saying: “City fans who are being okay with KDB going to Liverpool are simply plastic fans. And I don’t care if you’re ‘wishing him the best playing in Europe.’ If you’re seeing your legend playing for a rival club and being okay with it, then you’re not a true fan. Go touch some grass.”
It’s safe to say that if the move does happen, a majority of City fans could be up in arms about it.
Kevin De Bruyne is a Liverpool fan
Chicago Fire are frontrunners to sign De Bruyne, which would be a relief to the Manchester City fans who detest the idea of him signing for Liverpool.
De Bruyne is interested in Chicago Fire’s project as well.
However, De Bruyne admitted he supported Liverpool growing up and that Michael Owen was his idol.
| KEVIN DE BRUYNE RECORD VS LIVERPOOL | |
| APPEARANCES | 20 |
| WINS | 5 |
| LOSSES | 10 |
| DRAWS | 5 |
| GOALS | 4 |
| ASSISTS | 9 |
Initially quizzed about his position as a youngster, the midfield maestro replied: “Striker.”
De Bruyne added: “Well, that’s why Michael Owen was my idol. Obviously, we played seven-a-side and you play like, the ‘keeper and then a 3-1-2 and I was really small and I was quite quick at the time.”
“I was quite a bit similar until I was 15, 16 and then I played more in the midfield already at 13,14 and the I grew quite a bit and my family were Liverpool supporters and Michael Owen was similar so that’s where it comes from.”
