Manchester City are facing a two-year Champions League ban for violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play. It was a second offence and worse than the first. Despite the ban, it is likely the CAS will rule in favour of Manchester City, as that just seems to be the way things go.
But there is still enough fear that Manchester City won’t play in the Champions League for 24 months. Even then, it could be longer if the Cityzen cannot reach the competition three years from the start of the ban.
There is also a fear running through the club’s fanbase, although supporters won’t freely admit it, that top stars could leave. One of those stars is attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who would instantly improve any side that he joins.
De Bruyne has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season and Manchester City’s only consistent player. Remember when Manchester City lost a two-goal lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineaux?
Their capitulation came after Pep Guardiola removed De Bruyne from the game. Manchester City were no longer attacking and potentially dangerous going forward with 10 men.
They were under caution the rest of the way until Wolves came back to win 3-2. That loss ended Manchester City’s chances of retaining their league title. That game at Molineux is just a small example of De Bruyne’s importance to a mentally weak team.
De Bruyne leads the league in assists once again this season. His 16 assists are four more than Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold giving the midfielder 62-career Premier League assists.
Despite his excellence since joining Manchester City, De Bruyne is still 100 assists off of career assist leader Ryan Giggs. It is a number that De Bruyne is unlikely to reach due to his age (28; he turns 29 in June) and injury record.
De Bruyne has accounted for 24 of Manchester City’s 68 goals in the Premier League. The figure is good for 35.3% of Manchester City’s goals this term.
One of the worries Manchester City will have is clubs raiding the squad if the transfer ban is upheld. De Bruyne would certainly be the most prized asset Manchester City possess. If added to a team such as Liverpool, it would make the team even stronger having a midfielder of such attacking quality.
Тhe likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich would be head over heels to add the Belgian to replace their ageing midfielders. Regardless of Manchester City’s issues with the Champions League, they have an upper hand keeping most of their stars like De Bruyne.
The Belgian playmaker is valued at £135 million by Transfermarkt. Most clubs will be priced out unless De Bruyne wants to leave and pushes through a move. De Bruyne still has three years left on his contract and could have further opportunities to add to his 62 Premier League assists.