Pep Guardiola asserts that Kevin De Bruyne will recognise when it’s time to leave Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has emphasised that Kevin De Bruyne will be entirely truthful with himself when it comes to deciding on his future at Manchester City.

The Belgian midfielder’s impressive ten-year tenure at City could potentially conclude at the end of the current season when his contract runs out.

De Bruyne, 33, is considered one of the finest midfielders in Premier League history; however, his form has noticeably declined over the past 18 months.

In a second consecutive season plagued by injuries, he has only completed the full 90 minutes seven times, starting in 12 out of 25 league matches, netting two goals while providing six assists.

He faced criticism for his underwhelming display in Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Liverpool, the Premier League leaders.

This was the kind of crucial match that once showcased De Bruyne’s brilliance, amidst ongoing speculation linking him with a lucrative transfer to Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League.

Guardiola has discussed his strong bond with the player, who joined City a year prior to his arrival.

When asked on Tuesday whether that relationship would influence De Bruyne’s decision about his future, Guardiola replied: “Nothing is going to change regarding that. We know each other very well, and our honesty towards each other is important.”

“In this situation, it’s up to him to make the call; that’s the key factor.

“He is entirely honest with himself, weighing what he feels and what he’s capable of in the next phase of his life. He turns 34 in the summer, and he must make a decision, similar to what David Silva faced.”

De Bruyne is among several senior players at City whose futures are uncertain, especially following the team’s unexpected inability to challenge for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.

Guardiola acknowledged that the growing demands of the fixture schedule make it essential to bolster the squad for next season, which could involve retaining players like De Bruyne.

“The club needs to bring in new signings, but we also have to retain as many of our current squad as possible,” he stated.

“With the (Club) World Cup approaching and the following season on the horizon, the challenges will only intensify. We will require a slightly larger squad next year.“