Pep Guardiola has said that no player can replicate the “incredible” Kevin De Bruyne after the departing Manchester City midfielder starred in the 5-2 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
De Bruyne, who confirmed last week that he will leave the club at the end of the season, scored a free-kick that started City’s fightback from two goals down and provided an assist for Mateo Kovacic later in the game.
“The gratitude I have for him is huge,” City boss Guardiola said.
“De Bruyne is incredible and I know that what he can deliver. I am happy because he is helping us. With the ball he was so, so clever, and then the goals, and the assists. He helped us a lot to win the game.”
The 33-year-old said he remains unsure over where his career is headed once he leaves City and revealed his family is “a bit scared” about the future.
The playmaker has been linked with a switch to the MLS or the Saudi Pro League but he suggested that he was yet to decide his next move.
“I’ve been here so long, my family has been here 10 years, my kids were born in Manchester and it’s been their whole life here — it’s going to be something different for them,” De Bruyne said after the final whistle on Saturday.
“I think they are a bit scared. It’s a bit unknown because we don’t know what’s going to happen for the moment but I want to enjoy playing good football, like I did today. I’ll be fine. If I can play football and my family is happy, I’m good.”
De Bruyne has scored 71 goals and notched 121 assists over 10 seasons with City — and Guardiola knows it will be tough to replace his talisman.
One youngster, James McAtee, made his mark on Saturday with a goal but the Spanish coach believes it is too early to put too much pressure on his shoulders.
“No one can do what Kevin has done,” Guardiola added. “I don’t want to put one second of pressure on Macca [McAtee], he has played not many minutes but I know the quality that he has in the final third. He scored one goal, he could have scored four.”
De Bruyne said he feels he still has plenty left in the tank.
“It’s been a hard year,” the Belgium international told TNT Sports. “Having a hernia wasn’t fun but now I would say I’m basically pain free for the last six weeks.
“Playing with pain was hard but now I feel free. I’m able to do a lot of training sessions and I feel I can do a good job.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen but I want to play on so we’ll see where I can end up.”
City are fourth in the Premier League after Saturday’s rout while Palace lie 11th. Both sides are in the FA Cup semifinals.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report
