“NO WAY” Chris Sutton says £55m Man City star is not good enough to play for Liverpool or AArsenal
At the start of the season, Manchester City had ambitions of going toe-to-toe with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal in yet another gripping Premier League title race. Having established themselves as the dominant force in English football over the last decade, Pep Guardiola’s side were expected to be firmly in the hunt for more silverware. After all, the Cityzens had come out on top in nearly every recent title race, with only Liverpool’s 2020 triumph interrupting their seven-year run of domestic supremacy.
However, the 2024/25 campaign has not unfolded as planned. Rather than pushing for a record-extending Premier League crown, City find themselves battling just to secure a top-four finish and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. It’s a scenario few predicted, but one that has become reality largely due to the club’s passive approach in last summer’s transfer market.
Despite clear signs that the squad was aging, City made minimal changes, failing to inject the freshness and energy that have defined their success in previous seasons. That decision is now being scrutinized, as several key players have shown signs of physical and mental fatigue, and performances have dipped as a result.
Chris Sutton Questions De Bruyne’s Top-Level Relevance
One player whose decline has been particularly noticeable is Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro has been a cornerstone of City’s golden era since joining from Wolfsburg for £55 million in 2015. Over the past decade, he has consistently delivered world-class performances, cementing his place as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history.
But now, at 33, De Bruyne is showing signs of wear and tear. Injuries have taken a toll this season, limiting his availability and affecting his impact on the pitch. While still capable of producing moments of brilliance—like his vintage display against Crystal Palace—his consistency has waned.
As De Bruyne prepares to depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, questions loom about his next move. The midfielder recently hinted that staying in England remains a possibility, sparking speculation about a potential transfer to another Premier League giant.
Don Hutchison voiced his desire to see the Belgian end his career at Liverpool, believing he could still offer value at Anfield. However, former striker Chris Sutton strongly disagrees, claiming that De Bruyne no longer has what it takes to start for the likes of Liverpool or Arsenal.
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off!, Sutton said: “It’s based on his recent performances. So I get their decision. Will he stay in the Premier League? Can he stay in the Premier League? I don’t think that, if you looked at the top teams, Liverpool or Arsenal, I don’t think that he would cut it at either of those two clubs.”
A New Chapter Awaits—MLS the Ideal Final Destination?
As De Bruyne approaches his 34th birthday this summer, the Premier League may simply no longer be the right environment for him. The intense physical demands of English football could prove too much at this stage of his career, especially for a player who has suffered multiple injuries in recent years.
While his legacy at Manchester City is firmly intact, there’s a risk that an underwhelming final season—or a move to a domestic rival—could tarnish the iconic status he’s earned. For that reason, a move abroad could be the wisest choice, both for personal and professional reasons.
One destination that keeps cropping up is Major League Soccer, with Inter Miami emerging as a particularly appealing option. The Florida-based club has been making headlines with their ambitious project, led by global icon Lionel Messi. For De Bruyne, joining a team like Inter Miami would offer a fresh challenge in a less demanding league, while allowing him to continue playing at a competitive level.
More importantly, it would also provide the chance to share a pitch with Messi—an opportunity few players would pass up—and to further elevate his global brand in a growing football market like the United States.
De Bruyne’s Premier League Legacy Is Untouchable
Regardless of what the future holds, Kevin De Bruyne’s contributions to Manchester City and the Premier League as a whole should not be overlooked. He has been instrumental in transforming City into a European powerhouse, winning multiple league titles, domestic cups, and playing a key role in the club’s historic treble-winning season.
His vision, passing, and leadership have made him one of the most influential midfielders of his generation. And while the curtain may be closing on his time in England, his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats is already secured.
For Manchester City, this summer signals the end of an era—but also the beginning of a new one. As the club seeks to rejuvenate its squad and rediscover its title-winning formula, De Bruyne’s farewell will mark both a poignant goodbye and a necessary turning point.
