Kevin De Bruyne has aimed another dig at Manchester City after his match-winning performance against Wolves.
City beat Vitor Pereira’s in-form side 1-0 on Friday night thanks to De Bruyne’s first half strike in a major boost to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
The Belgian picked up the Player of the Match award in what was his penultimate game at the Etihad Stadium after he announced last month that he would be leaving the club following a decade when his contract expires.
He had expressed his dissatisfaction at that decision following City’s recent win at Everton, claiming he was open to joining another Premier League side – and he let his feelings be known again on Friday.
‘I showed I can still play here (in the Premier League) otherwise I don’t do what I have done in these last four or five weeks,’ he said shortly after the Wolves clash.
‘Obviously I know I’ve got one game left here (at the Etihad) but I just try to do my job like I’ve always done and I did that today, so I am proud of what I am doing. I give everything and I want to win the game.’
Kevin De Bruyne has aimed another dig at Manchester City after their win against Wolves
De Bruyne put in a match-winning display and his first half strike settled the contest on Friday
De Bruyne’s contract is up at the end of the season after 10 decorated years with the club
De Bruyne also opened up further on his upcoming exit and claimed his team-mates were upset that he would be bringing his decorated City stint to a close.
‘A lot of team-mates have spoken to me and I think they are also sad that I have to go but sometimes it goes like this,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Guardiola refused to be drawn on the issue as he said: ‘We have another game here with him. Hopefully, there will be another goal. It lifted our spirits.’
Speaking last month following City’s win over Everton, the 33-year-old – who has scored 108 goals for the club and won 19 trophies – had been questioned on whether he would consider staying in the top flight.
‘I’m open for anything, anything, just for because I have to look at the whole picture,’ De Bruyne explained.
‘I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family.
‘I don’t know what that is, because it depends on when you speak to people and what they say about projects or something, like I said, I still feel like I can play at a good level, but then after I’ll have to make a decision once I really know a little bit more.’
Meanwhile, De Bruyne had also aimed an initial dig at City about his upcoming exit.
De Bruyne will have one more home game at the Etihad before his City career comes to an end
‘I have not had any offer the whole year, they (City) just took a decision,’ the Belgian added.
‘Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. It’s fine. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing. I understand clubs have to make decisions.’
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Manchester City 1-0 Wolves: Kevin De Bruyne’s first half strike secures crucial win for hosts
He went on to hint that the choice of the club not to offer him a new deal was as a result of the difficult season City have endured.
He said: ‘It’s also basically why they’ve made the decision, because the whole team have struggled.
‘Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision. I don’t know — they told me what the decision was and I can’t say what they think on the inside.
‘I still think I’m in good shape, I played way more than I did last year, except the hernia. I feel good and the rhythm is coming.’
