Kevin De Bruyne

Wirtz had a slow start to life at Liverpool after his move in the summer, not registering a goal or assist in the Premier Leagueuntil the start of December, but he has now started to pick up in terms of form.

Phil Foden's resurgence, emerging from the wreckage of last season, is becoming a major story of Manchester City 's campaign.

Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace during the window, reflected on his battles with the Belgian and admitted the midfielder often operated several steps ahead.

The Belgians could have secured their spot in next summer's tournament with a victory in eastern Europe but now have to get a result against Liechtenstein on Tuesday to secure qualification.

The 34-year-old pulled up moments after converting a first-half penalty in Napoli's 3-1 win over Inter Milan on Saturday. He immediately clutched his right leg and was substituted in discomfort.

The former Manchester City star left the pitch in tears just moments after scoring the game's opener from the penalty spot.

The former Manchester City man was nerveless from the spot, stepping up and coolly converting, nut as he wheeled away in celebration, the 34-year-old almost immediately pulled up.

Antonio Conte has sounded alarm bells in the wake of Napoli's dismal 6-2 defeat by PSV, warning the side's nightmare in the Netherlands could be the start of a deeper crisis.

Two Kevin De Bruyne penalty kicks for two Welsh handballs consigned Craig Bellamy's men to defeat in Cardiff, in a huge blow to their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification.

Much has been made of the negative effect the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne at Napoli has had on Scott McTominay this season.

Hojlund struck twice for Denmark as they thrashed Belarus 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier, taking his tally for club and country to seven goals already this season.

Outside the Villa Stuart in Rome, where he was completing his medical, one Napoli fan had skipped visiting his newborn son in hospital to jostle for a view of his latest hero.

SIMON JONES: The 19-year old is emerging as one of the brightest midfield talents produced by the Netherlands in recent years with comparisons already being drawn with De Bruyne.

De Bruyne was looking to bounce back from a nightmare first match in Europe with his new side in what was his first match since a clash with manager Antonio Conte at the weekend.

The stories are almost as tasty as the spreads. Not for the first time, Jonny Marsh, the chef to the Premier League's biggest names, is rustling up a feast.

The Belgian's arrival has apparently caused a 'rift' in Antonio Conte 's team because the entire system has been adapted to suit him - but only to mixed effect.

Conte was asked about De Bruyne's reaction in his post-match press conference, with the Napoli boss offering a blunt response to the Belgian as he explained his substitutions.

NATHAN SALT AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM: Rasmus Hojlund will - rightly - be sick of being in Manchester after a display that will have given him flashbacks to life in the red half of the city.

Haaland's managed it in 49 games. Ruud van Nistelrooy's next on 62. Lionel Messi : 66. Of the assorted others, Cristiano Ronaldo took 91 and Thierry Henry 103. Some company he's beating.

Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne endured a disappointing start on his first return to the Etihad since moving to Serie A this summer.

Relive all the action from Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Napoli in the Champions League through Daily Mail Sport's live blog.

It's amazing what you can find in the unwanted pile at English Premier League clubs these days.

There is a cracking story from the Norway dressing room, weeks after Erling Haaland had committed to signing for Manchester City three years ago, that encapsulates both aspects of his being.

It was late in the evening on Monday, August 11 when Angus Kinnear, Everton's impressive new chief executive, looked at his watch and felt a sinking feeling.

The former Spain international spent 13 years overseeing unprecedented success at the Etihad Stadium and a crucial component to the appointment of Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City haven't seen a year like this since the guy who now wears the armband turned up on day one wearing bright pink shorts, bemused at the drizzle and a biting July wind.

The Belgian superstar announced his departure from the club where he achieved his greatest feats on the pitch ahead of the end of last season, with the 33-year-old departing on a free transfer.

Pep Guardiola has never been shy about his love for midfielders. As he said back in 2018: 'If I could play with 11 of them, I would.'

Nine new first-team faces have joined since January, seven of those under the age of 26, but to what extent City truly embark on a new era depends on who leaves the club before September.

The Belgian was confirmed as a Napoli star and hailed as 'King Kev' earlier this month as City showed him the door following a decade of impeccable service.

The 33-year-old, who joined Napoli earlier this month, is enjoying time off in Southern France after a rollercoaster campaign with Manchester City and Belgium.

City legend De Bruyne, who joined the Serie A champions this month after leaving the Etihad upon the expiry of his contract, wants them to sign a former team-mate.

EXCLUSIVE BY LEWIS STEELE: We came to Munich armed with a burning question and left with an even bigger one. Our jaunt was a mission to find Florian Wirtz and talk to those who know him.

Erling Haaland's leadership stock had continuingly grown over his three years at the Etihad Stadium and, with Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker leaving the club, City needed a shake-up.

Jadon Sancho is now of interest to an Italian club. Sancho spent last year on loan at Chelsea after falling out of favour at Manchester United. He scored 5 goals while at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola broke down in tears as the playmaker waved goodbye to the Etihad following his final game there as a City player last month on the back of a decade-long stay in Manchester.

He impressed Enzo Maresca and started seven of Chelsea's final nine Premier League games as they finished in fourth place, securing Champions League qualification.

De Bruyne is leaving the Etihad Stadium after 10 years of legendary service, with his contract up. It comes on the same day that City announced the signing of Tijjani Reijnders.

Aidan O'Brien had just seen Ryan Moore deliver Minnie Hauk to a thrilling victory in the Oaks, edging out her stablemate Whirl in a driving finish. O'Brien's reaction, however, had a different tone.

EXCLUSIVE BY LEWIS STEELE: We came to Munich armed with a burning question and left with an even bigger one.

EXCLUSIVE BY KIERAN GILL: It is worth discussing the KDB Cup, and how Pep Guardiola's spying of Romeo Lavia in 2018 may have contributed to this £30million signing seven years down the line.

Here, our City expert JACK GAUGHAN answers the big questions facing Manchester City this summer.

De Bruyne looks poised to complete a move to Napoli, with the club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealing the Belgian has bought a villa in Italy, despite apparent Premier League interest.

The 33-year-old made his final Premier League appearance for Manchester City at Fulham on Sunday after a glittering 10-year spell, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Kevin De Bruyne announced last month that he will leave Manchester City this summer upon the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to his decade-long stay at the Etihad.

Since the retirement of Vincent Kompany in 2019, City's club skippers David Silva, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker have all been chosen by team-mates rather than the manager.

JACK GAUGHAN: The 33-year-old is set for his final Premier League appearance for Manchester City at Fulham as the dethroned champions look to clinch a Champions League spot.

De Bruyne's Man City career will conclude on Sunday when they travel to Fulham with the aim of sealing their place in the Champions League, with the Belgian then set to decide his next club.

Stockport native Rebecca, 24, joined Foden's teammates for City great Kevin de Bruyne's leaving party in Manchester on Wednesday.

Jack Grealish was the last to leave the celebrations as Kevin De Bruyne threw a stylish night out for his Man City team-mates and their loved ones as he prepares to bid farewell to his adopted home. 

City have endured a campaign to forget after falling far beneath their typical perch atop the Premier League table and finding themselves third in the league.

The club opted against renewing his contract, meaning the midfielder will depart the club after a decade that saw him win the likes of the Champions League and six Premier League titles.

Kevin de Bruyne's farewell game at the Etihad Stadium was abruptly cut short when the Belgian was subsituted after team-mate Mateo Kovacic was sent off against Bournemouth.

JACK GAUGHAN AT ETIHAD STADIUM: One last spin of the Manchester City's favourite record. Crackles in places these days but still transports its public back to life-altering days when time stood still.

Kevin De Bruyne shockingly missed an open goal from just yards against Bournemouth on his final Manchester City home appearance, crashing the ball against the bar from close.

Kevin De Bruyne is the second best passer that Pep Guardiola has worked with during his managerial career, according to the Manchester City boss himself.

JACK GAUGHAN: Late October 2023, on the touchline of a Cheshire grassroots pitch, Kevin De Bruyne is watching his young son Mason. Minding his own business, as usual.

De Bruyne, who is leaving the club when his contract expires this summer, is set to play at the Etihad Stadium for one last time in a City shirt against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

JACK GAUGHAN: The central midfielder, who turns 34 next month, couldn't finish his decade at City with a trophy after the 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final.

There were unforgettable scenes as Crystal Palace made history at Wembley Stadium on Saturday... but not every player was able to join in the jubilant on-pitch celebrations.

Kevin De Bruyne is the ultimate professional who will do whatever the manager asks, but he deserves to play at Wembley and end his Man City career with a medal round his neck.

The Belgian midfielder last month revealed that he will be leaving the Etihad after a trophy-laden decade when his contract expires at the end of the season. He has attracted interest from across Europe.

JACK GAUGHAN: City have long since hoped to lure Wirtz to the club and are pressing ahead with attempting to secure a deal in light of Kevin De Bruyne's departure after 10 years.

With Kevin De Bruyne leaving the former Premier League champions at the end of the season, Guardiola has been preparing another swoop into the market to strengthen his side.

De Bruyne, whose Manchester City contract is set to expire on June 30, will be available on a free transfer and has attracted a wealth of interest from top clubs across Europe and Saudi Arabia.

He will bring an end to his decade at Man City at the end of the season, after being told by director of football Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano that his contract would not be renewed.

Our expert JACK GAUGHAN has read your questions and this is what he can reveal from summer signings to the Abdukodir Khusanov mystery and the plan for the club's wonderkids.

The 33-year-old revealed last month that Manchester City director of football, Txiki Begiristain and CEO, Ferran Soriano, informed him that his contract would not be renewed.

Wirtz had been touted as a replacement for the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne and the reigning European champions were also interested in the 22-year-old German international.

OLIVER HOLT: I thought of Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne when I heard Monday morning's confirmation of Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

De Bruyne's penultimate game at the Etihad Stadium finishing with him having scored the winner against Wolves but the he doesn't know if his stay will extend beyond the Premier League season.

Kevin De Bruyne has aimed another dig at Manchester City after his match-winning performance against Wolves.

De Bruyne, 33, confirmed last month that he will be moving on from City at the end of the season, bringing to an end his 10-year stay at the Etihad.

MAN CITY 1-0 WOLVES - JACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM: City's dip and subsequent fight for the Champions League might have driven lesser men to the beach though.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY AADAM PATEL IN EINDHOVEN: The first sign of Malik Tillman's status here comes at the customs desk in Eindhoven Airport.

When victory was sealed with a 3-0 win against Charlton, the club's Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds maintained his oft-repeated declaration that 'our goal is to make the Premier League.'

THE SHARPE END: Time for a little game of Guess Who? Kevin De Bruyne made it clear that the decision to leave Manchester City in the summer was not quite as mutual as it first seemed.

One of Manchester City's Premier League rivals have held initial talks over signing midfield general De Bruyne - who will leave the current champions in the summer - according to a report.

Speaking to the written media on Saturday evening, De Bruyne revealed that he was shocked and surprised when he was informed that his contract would not be renewed.