A new era is coming.
Kevin De Bruyne said after signing for Manchester City in 2015: "I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe have some titles."
In hindsight, that sounds very modest considering the success the player has achieved with the club in the last nine years.
No doubt, De Bruyne has been one of City's best signings ever. The Belgian has been the main man for the Blues in the last several seasons, helping the club win four successive Premier League titles and six titles in seven years.
Add the Champions League trophy to the mixed alongside several other domestic trophies and the Belgium international stands head and shoulders above most other City players. In fact, it could be argued he has been the most important City player of the modern era.
When City signed the midfielder for a then club record £55m fee, much was expected of him. Yet, not many would have expected him to become the beast he has been for several years at the club now.
Playing alongside the likes of David Silva, Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero, all of whom are club legends, De Bruyne has featured prominently in the most successful era of the club. In fact, he has led it.
The potential to do big things was there for all to see with 112 chances created for Wolfsburg in the 2021/15 campaign, one more than Eden Hazard at Chelsea and second only to Dimitri Payet at Marseille in the whole of Europe. So it was clear City had a gem on their hands when they splashed the cash for his signature.
However, every player's time comes to an end at some point. Like key players Yaya Toure, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan before him, De Bruyne's time at the Etihad Stadium is coming to an end.
The onus is on the club to make the transition a smooth one. At 33 years old, the Belgian is nearing the end of his playing days. His current deal with the club is set to expire next summer.
Whether he stays one or two more seasons, or decides to move to the East and enjoy a final windfall in his career, City cannot be left unprepared to move on.
Fortunately, his long layoff early last term allowed Pep Guardiola to experiment with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez. That worked out quite well with Foden having his best season yet at the club and winning the Player of the Year award.
That doesn't mean De Bruyne could be discarded. The Belgian showed his quality with several big goals and assists in some key games towards the end of the campaign. Despite spending about five months out, he still returned to provide an impressive 18 assists and scored six times.
Although De Bruyne still came to prove just how important he remains, scoring and setting up goals to help City retain their title, Foden is now the man for the future as far as the number 10 position is concerned. Julian Alvarez will play a supporting role in that regard, to keep City ahead of the chasing pack.
Source - bitterandblue.sbnation.com