After a decade as a central player for Manchester City, he chose to go to Napoli, largely because of the reputation of manager Antonio Conte. While some flourished under the Italian manager’s leadership. (Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund) – the truth was different for Kevin de Bruyne.
In recent days, after Antonio Conte’s exit, it has become clear that things are not as they should be for the Belgian star.
“Wants to talk”
Kevin De Bruyne has a contract with Napoli for one more season. But the Belgian’s immediate future is not entirely decided.
Kevin de Bruyne! “I’m glad Conte left Napoli”
“Some things have been said – that we should play in a certain way – but that has not happened,” Nieuwsblad says in connection with his attendance at the KDB Cup with his children. “Football should be fun for me. I missed it under Conte”
The statistics are not what we are used to from De Bruyne: barely 5 goals and 2 assists in Serie A. “We played defensively all season, in a 5-4-1. If you only score once or so per game… We were also very low in the beginning. Our top scorer had 10 or 11 goals (Rasmus Højlund counted 12, ed.). Then you know that you can’t just rely on the numbers. In terms of level, I thought it was pretty good.”
Kevin De Bruyne was once the world’s best attacking midfielder
After ten years at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne moved to Napoli last summer. The 34-year-old’s first season in Italy was partially ruined by an injury, and the Belgian made 21 appearances, recording five goals and four assists. The 34-year-old has been named player of the year three times (twice the Premier League and once the Bundesliga), he has won the Premier League six times with Manchester City and taken home a Champions League trophy.
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The attacking midfielder’s deal expires in 2027. But the fact that he will stay after the summer is not written in stone.
“I have one year left on my contract, but I have to talk to Napoli
“A lot is said, just like last year. That we’re going to play in a certain way, that we’re going to do different things – but a lot of that didn’t happen, and that’s a shame. I want to enjoy it when I play football.
Recently, it became clear that coach Antonio Conte is leaving Napoli. It’s not something De Bruyne mourns about.
“We played very defensively. If you’re trying to win every game by a one-goal margin in a 4-5-1 formation, then you’re playing a certain type of football,” he says.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that Massimiliano Allegri will be the new Napoli coach. He was recently sacked by Milan.
Next up for De Bruyne is the World Cup with Belgium. On the national team, the star is listed for 117 international matches, where he has scored 36 goals.
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When asked if the future lies elsewhere, Kevin de Bruyne answers not particularly cryptically: “I have family in the United States”
