Pep Guardiola gave an eyebrow raising response when asked why Manchester City have not offered legendary playmaker Kevin De Bruyne a new contract.
The 33-year-old will depart City this summer upon the expiration of his current deal after the Etihad Stadium outfit opted against giving the Premier League legend fresh terms.
De Bruyne arrived at City from German side Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then club record £55m and has gone on to be one of the stars of Guardiola's era of success for the blue half of Manchester.
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The Belgian has scored 108 goals in 418 games for City in all competitions, the latest of which was the winner in last night's 1-0 victory against Wolves.
In his time at City, De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and the Champions League when Guardiola's side won the Treble in 2023.
De Bruyne has expressed surprise upon not being offered a new deal to remain at City.
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And the Belgium international believes he still has what it takes to play at the highest level for City, despite not knowing currently where he will be playing his football beyond this summer.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win over Wolves, he said: "I don't know about the future unfortunately.
"I have shown I can still play here, otherwise I don't do what I do these last four or five weeks."
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De Bruyne added: "A lot of team-mates have spoken to me, they are sad also that I have to go. It goes like this in life, but the way I am performing is the way I should be.
"I just try to play as well as I can. I have one game left here. I try to do my job as always and I did that. I am proud of what I am doing."
Guardiola was also interviewed after last night's win and the City boss was asked if there was any way that De Bruyne's time at the club could be extended.
And he appeared to suggest that he does not feel De Bruyne is at his best anymore, though he paid tribute to the player he has been for City over the past decade.
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He responded: "I want the best from Kevin so it cannot be possible.
"It cannot be possible to have done this many years without him, so he has been an incredible player, but the situation is what it is."
He added: "It's almost impossible to replace this kind of player. It's not just the performance, it's what he means in the heart for our fans for many years.
"The success we had belongs to the players and he is one of them, absolutely."
Topics: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Football, Champions League
John McDougall