How can Kevin De Bruyne be replaced? No one at Manchester City ever wanted to consider that, and even now that it is a fact, it is still difficult.
The unfortunate thing for De Bruyne is that, compared to when he was at the height of his abilities, he is much more replaceable now. The Belgian commissioned a data business to create a list of alternatives for his most recent contract extension, which showed how much City would have to spend on the transfer market. However, no players had the same skill level as De Bruyne.
That may still be the case, but the fall of the 33-year-old has brought others closer than before. Although the announcement of his leaving was made last week, it has been coming for some time.
As a result, City is not just starting the process of finding a replacement for De Bruyne. Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen is a top candidate to fill those golden shoes. Although the standard disclaimers about City not being held hostage in the market apply, it would be shocking if they didn’t recruit someone for this role during the summer transfer window.
However, it is questionable exactly what they are supposed to perform. Which parts do you cover if you are unable to cover all De Bruyne did?
What Pep Guardiola wants in terms of his vision for the game must be the answer. This season, the City manager has been outspoken about “modern football” and the trend that his team has not adopted.
“Today, modern football is the way that Brighton, Newcastle, and Bournemouth play,” he declared at the close of the previous season. “Liverpool have always been like that, like we were.”
There are many of strong midfield players on those teams, including Aston Villa, who would surely help the City midfield this year. Guardiola has gone back to the returning Ilkay Gundogan since the 2023 choice to move towards midfield runners—which led to the additions of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes—hasn’t worked.
Even while Guardiola calls these teams “modern,” he maintains that if City wants to succeed once more, they must adhere to their own values. Joining Liverpool’s and Bournemouth’s game isn’t the same as playing at their own speed.
That dictates the type of player City should go for to take De Bruyne’s place, and Guardiola will have no shortage of candidates he believes are most qualified to do so. His team and his strategy are being supported, and he has no shortage of midfield players who he admires.
Hugo Viana will receive praise for starting early before replacing Txiki Begiristain as the recruitment manager in July, but De Bruyne’s replacement should focus more on how the person in charge of the masterplan feels about the position than on how either individual views it.
Guardiola deserves to have a significant influence in the acquisition of a player who is so important to his goals since he has been backed to turn City around after a disappointing season.
