Signing Kevin De Bruyne a great opportunity for Chelsea but there is one problem
Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave Man City at the end of the season (Credits: IMAGO/Conor Molloy / Avalon) William Gallas fears Chelsea are asking for trouble if they make a move for Kevin De Bruyne in the summer transfer window. The Manchester City legend is set to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season after 10 trophy-laden years. De Bruyne is available on a free transfer with his City contract set to expire at the end of the month. And while he may be due to turn 34 in June, one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders is far from short of options. A move to MLS has been touted but De Bruyne, himself, has suggested he would be open to remaining in England. Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. On Friday, De Bruyne’s former Chelsea teammate, Mohamed Salah, cheekily suggested there was a space waiting for him at Liverpool, but a return to Stamford Bridge has also been suggested. The Belgium international spent a brief spell at the west London club earlier in his career but failed to convince Jose Mourinho he was worthy of a regular starting place in his team. Kevin De Bruyne and Cole Palmer were teammates at Man City (Picture: Getty) Why Kevin De Bruyne failed at Chelsea Kevin De Bruyne only made two Premier League appearances during the course of his two years at the club between 2012 and 2014. Much was expected of him when he signed from Genk, but the intense competition for places and a reported falling out with Jose Mourinho triggered a premature departure. Speaking back in 2023, his former teammate Frank Lampard opened up on why it didn’t work out for De Bruyne at the Blues. He said: ‘I’ve always liked Kevin as a player,’ said Lampard at his pre-match press conference. ‘I liked him when he was with us at Chelsea and we were team-mates and I like him now as a top-class midfield player. ‘When I think back to his time at Chelsea, at that time we were mainly playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, and I was playing a bit deeper as one of the two sixes. Kevin was fighting more for the No.10 position or one of the two wide players. ‘So I wouldn’t say we were particularly in competition for a place in the side, but you could see his quality. ‘Kevin’s a fantastic player and he’s become a top, top player for Manchester City over the past few years. He’s certainly going to be one of many threats we will have to plan for. ‘When he was with us in his younger days, we were probably quite well stacked in those attacking areas. Eden [Hazard] was here, [Andre] Schurrle was here, Juan Mata was here and what I remember from Kevin was a real hunger and desire to come in and play. ‘I don’t personally know the intricacies of what happened at the time between him, the club and the manager but looking back now I respect the fact he did leave to play regular football. You can see that hunger in his game and he’s always wanted to showcase that talent he’s got. ‘He’s gone from strength to strength, he’s had an incredible rise as a player and I love watching him play. To get the numbers he gets, through goals and assists from midfield is fantastic and his range of passing is amazing. If it’s not the best in the league, it’s certainly right up there.’ Gallas, meanwhile, can understand the attraction for Chelsea, particularly given their relative inexperienced squad, but fears his potential signing would have a negative impact on Cole Palmer. He told Live Casinos: ‘The issue is having two playmakers in the same position, it might harm the development of Cole Palmer because he would have to play out wide again. ‘It happened when they were both at Manchester City, that’s why we saw Palmer move to Chelsea and look at what he has done since. ‘It would be exciting to see De Bruyne back at Chelsea, but it would be a very difficult situation for the manager.’ Cole Palmer has endured a difficult run of form (Picture: Getty) Kevin De Bruyne next club odds Napoli 1/3Any MLS team 5/2Any Saudi team 7/1Liverpool 8/1Aston Villa 14/1Chelsea 25/1 Palmer has endured a difficult spell in recent months and struggled to live up to the standards he set during the course of the previous 18 months. Enzo Maresca has considered using him in a more central role recently but Gallas fears that would be a big mistake. ‘Cole Palmer playing up front would be a big mistake by Enzo Maresca, Chelsea need him in the middle of the pitch,’ he added. ‘Chelsea are playing Manchester United who will only be thinking about the Europa League final, so it’s a great chance for Chelsea to get three points and potentially secure Champions League football. ‘Ruben Amorim will not be taking any ri
William Gallas fears Chelsea are asking for trouble if they make a move for Kevin De Bruyne in the summer transfer window.
The Manchester City legend is set to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season after 10 trophy-laden years.
De Bruyne is available on a free transfer with his City contract set to expire at the end of the month.
And while he may be due to turn 34 in June, one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders is far from short of options.
A move to MLS has been touted but De Bruyne, himself, has suggested he would be open to remaining in England.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
On Friday, De Bruyne’s former Chelsea teammate, Mohamed Salah, cheekily suggested there was a space waiting for him at Liverpool, but a return to Stamford Bridge has also been suggested.
The Belgium international spent a brief spell at the west London club earlier in his career but failed to convince Jose Mourinho he was worthy of a regular starting place in his team.
Why Kevin De Bruyne failed at Chelsea
Kevin De Bruyne only made two Premier League appearances during the course of his two years at the club between 2012 and 2014.
Much was expected of him when he signed from Genk, but the intense competition for places and a reported falling out with Jose Mourinho triggered a premature departure.
Speaking back in 2023, his former teammate Frank Lampard opened up on why it didn’t work out for De Bruyne at the Blues.
He said: ‘I’ve always liked Kevin as a player,’ said Lampard at his pre-match press conference. ‘I liked him when he was with us at Chelsea and we were team-mates and I like him now as a top-class midfield player.
‘When I think back to his time at Chelsea, at that time we were mainly playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, and I was playing a bit deeper as one of the two sixes. Kevin was fighting more for the No.10 position or one of the two wide players.
‘So I wouldn’t say we were particularly in competition for a place in the side, but you could see his quality.
‘Kevin’s a fantastic player and he’s become a top, top player for Manchester City over the past few years. He’s certainly going to be one of many threats we will have to plan for.
‘When he was with us in his younger days, we were probably quite well stacked in those attacking areas. Eden [Hazard] was here, [Andre] Schurrle was here, Juan Mata was here and what I remember from Kevin was a real hunger and desire to come in and play.
‘I don’t personally know the intricacies of what happened at the time between him, the club and the manager but looking back now I respect the fact he did leave to play regular football. You can see that hunger in his game and he’s always wanted to showcase that talent he’s got.
‘He’s gone from strength to strength, he’s had an incredible rise as a player and I love watching him play. To get the numbers he gets, through goals and assists from midfield is fantastic and his range of passing is amazing. If it’s not the best in the league, it’s certainly right up there.’
Gallas, meanwhile, can understand the attraction for Chelsea, particularly given their relative inexperienced squad, but fears his potential signing would have a negative impact on Cole Palmer.
He told Live Casinos: ‘The issue is having two playmakers in the same position, it might harm the development of Cole Palmer because he would have to play out wide again.
‘It happened when they were both at Manchester City, that’s why we saw Palmer move to Chelsea and look at what he has done since.
‘It would be exciting to see De Bruyne back at Chelsea, but it would be a very difficult situation for the manager.’
Kevin De Bruyne next club odds
Napoli 1/3
Any MLS team 5/2
Any Saudi team 7/1
Liverpool 8/1
Aston Villa 14/1
Chelsea 25/1
Palmer has endured a difficult spell in recent months and struggled to live up to the standards he set during the course of the previous 18 months.
Enzo Maresca has considered using him in a more central role recently but Gallas fears that would be a big mistake.
‘Cole Palmer playing up front would be a big mistake by Enzo Maresca, Chelsea need him in the middle of the pitch,’ he added.
‘Chelsea are playing Manchester United who will only be thinking about the Europa League final, so it’s a great chance for Chelsea to get three points and potentially secure Champions League football.
‘Ruben Amorim will not be taking any risks and that should help Chelsea.’
