My team-mates are sad that I have to go – De Bruyne on impending Manchester City departure

Kevin De Bruyne reiterated his belief that he can still cut it in the Premier League and said his team-mates were sad that he “had to” leave Manchester City.

The Belgian scored the only goal tonight as City moved up to third with a hard-fought, and somewhat fortuitous, victory over Wolves in what is set to be De Bruyne’s penultimate game at the Etihad Stadium after the club opted not to offer him a new contract.

He lapped up the adulation from the home fans at the final whistle with a slow walk around the pitch but insisted afterwards he was trying not to get emotional about his impending departure.

He told Sky Sports: “I just try to play as good as I can. I have one game left here but I just try to do my job like I’ve always done.”

“I’ve got one game left here, I’m proud of what I’m doing.”

Kevin De Bruyne reflects on his achievements at Manchester City as his time at the club nears its end pic.twitter.com/ubg0I6vaJ4

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2025

Team-mates don’t want De Bruyne to go

De Bruyne said he had received plenty of love within the dressing room as well, adding: “A lot of team-mates have spoken to me. I think they’re said that I have to go but sometimes it goes like this in life.

“The way I’m performing and acting like a good team-mate, it’s how everyone should be. I want to win the games.”

De Bruyne has been linked with a move to the United States – Chicago Fire were the latest MLS club to be mentioned this morning – but the 33-year-old feels he can still play in the English top flight.

“I showed I can still play here [in England],” he said. “Otherwise I don’t think I could do what I have done over the past four or five weeks.”

Kevin De Bruyne strikes for Manchester City in his penultimate match at the Etihad! pic.twitter.com/PefJBewv9S

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2025

We’re finding a bit of a groove – De Bruyne

Tonight’s victory was City’s fifth in a row in all competitions but was not without a touch of fortune, in-form Wolves hitting the woodwork twice through Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha.

“It was a hard game,” said De Bruyne. “We know it’s been a tough year but we are finding a bit of a groove and we’re winning the games we need to win at the moment so let’s hope we can finish the season like that.

“Now we can just relax a bit and see what the other teams do this weekend.”