Kevin De Bruyne suggested his Manchester City team-mates do not want him to leave the club after scoring the only goal in Friday’s crucial 1-0 win over Wolves.
De Bruyne netted in the 35th minute as City earned a fourth straight Premier League win and tightened their grip on a Champions League qualification spot.
It could be De Bruyne’s final goal at the Etihad Stadium, with City only having one more home game – against Bournemouth on May 20 – before he leaves as a free agent.
When it was announced his contract would not be renewed last month, boss Pep Guardiola said it was a “club decision”, and De Bruyne has reiterated that he did not want to go.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Friday’s game, De Bruyne outlined his belief that he can still contribute at the top level.
“I try to play as much good football as I can,” he said. “I know that I only have one home game left, but I just try to do my job and that’s what I did today.
“A lot of team-mates have said that it’s sad I have to go too, but that’s just how it sometimes goes in life.
“I don’t know what the future will be, but I know that I can still play here.
“I am still enjoying it, and we still have a job to do. It was a hard game today, but we found a way to win. Now we can just relax a bit and see what the other teams do.”
City are now two points clear of Newcastle United, four ahead of Chelsea and Nottingham Forest and seven above Aston Villa, with all of their rivals for a top-five finish in action between Saturday and Monday.
Guardiola’s team face Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham in their final three league games of 2024-25, while they will take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17.
“It has been a tough year, but we are finding a bit of a groove,” De Bruyne said. “We are winning the games that we need to, so let’s hope we can end the season like that.”
De Bruyne has now scored 30 Premier League goals since turning 30 – the only players to score more for City aged 30 or older are Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero (41 each).
The Belgian also has 11 goal involvements in 10 Premier League appearances against Wolves (six goals, five assists), the joint-most of any player alongside Mohamed Salah.
In his own post-match interview with Sky Sports, Guardiola rejected suggestions City could yet keep De Bruyne, though he also described the midfielder as irreplaceable.
“We will just say thank you. What can I say? We’re happy that he’s finishing this way, we only have one more game with him at the Etihad,” Guardiola said of De Bruyne.
“I want the best for Kevin, it would not be possible without him… what we have done in the last nine years. The situation is what it is.
“We cannot replace these players. It is not just their performances, but also how they belong in the hearts of the fans.”
