"It's Been Quite Sad" - Kevin De Bruyne Opens Up On Mass Manchester City Exodus

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has shared his thoughts on the eye-catching string of departures from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

In the build-up to City’s Champions League final against Chelsea in 2021, Pep Guardiola had famously referenced the importance of a dressing room shake-up to keep the squad on their toes.

The Catalan’s rationale was that with new players expected to be hungry to make their respective marks at the club, those already in the side would have to up their game to stay in contention for a first-team spot.

Kevin De Bruyne boards Manchester City's jet for pre-season (Image: Manchester City/IG)

Guardiola had also emphasised that higher levels of drive would ultimately prove to be key in the team’s hunt for silverware.

It seems as if the Spaniard has put this theory to the test ahead of the 2022/23 season.

First things first, a host of players have departed the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Kevin De Bruyne was a goalscorer in the first-leg (Sportimage / Alamy)

However, the biggest headlines have understandably surrounded the key exits of the likes of Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

On the other hand, Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega have all joined the Premier League champions.

Aside from Fernandinho - who has returned to boyhood club Athletico Paranaense - the aforementioned trio have all moved to either Arsenal or Chelsea.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne

With the acclaimed quartet playing a sizable role in Manchester City’s dominance during Pep Guardiola’s reign, the club have lost a significant chunk of experience and pedigree from their ranks.

Kevin De Bruyne, who signed for the Blues in 2015, gave his thoughts on the sales made by the Premier League champions this summer.

“I don’t know about that (the changes being a good thing) - sometimes it’s good to have the same team around you, but also you need to change things at times,” the Belgian said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

“It all depends on the end of the season how things are. We’ve done so well with this team. In the past new faces have come in and others have gone but we’ve still found a way to win titles.

Kevin De Bruyne has bemoaned the hectic footballing calendar.

"So hopefully we can do that again this year. There’s been a lot of change this year. It’s been quite sad but some of the players who’ve gone - I had a good relationship with them.

"In one way I can understand why it sometimes happens in football but the other part is sorry to see them go.

"But some of those who have gone will be friends for life and we wish them all the best - apart from when we play them for 90 minutes!”

While it is undeniable that Manchester City have lost a fair amount of quality from their side, Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be one of the senior figures to lead this new-look side to glory next season.