A new name arises in Manchester City’s search to replace Kevin De Bruyne | OneFootball

The time is coming when. Manchester City will have to replace Kevin De Bruyne. You only had to watch De Bruyne play against Real Madrid on Tuesday night to see that we are nearing the end of De Bruyne’s illustrious City career. The Belgian international’s work rate couldn’t be faulted but he did struggle to keep up while he was on the pitch. The Manchester City legend does appear to be in the final stages of his career at the Etihad.

Replacing Kevin De Bruyne will be no simple task. It isn’t a stretch to say he has almost been the best midfielder to play either in the Premier League or in world football for the past decade. Finding a player who can step into the void he will leave in Pep Guardiola’s squad is no easy task. If it can be achieved at all. Now it seems that a new name has been linked with Manchester City as a potential replacement for their club legend. That is Atalanta’s versatile attacker Charles De Ketelaere. While he isn’t an established star he does have the talent and potential to develop into the player Manchester City could utilise to replace De Bruyne.

Giuseppe Labellarte has relayed a report from Graeme Bailey for TBR Football that Manchester City have an interest in signing Atalanta attacker Charles De Ketelaere. Furthermore, the TBR Football report indicates that Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne are on the same page regarding De Bruyne’s future. It is also included in the TBR Football report that the new MLS franchise, San Diego FC, is interested in signing De Bruyne. This alignment has allowed City to proceed with finding a potential replacement for De Bruyne as per TBR Football’s report.

Charles De Ketelaere is a player who does fit the profile of a potential Manchester City signing, and he has the necessary attributes to add to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Charles De Ketelaere has impressed with his play for Atalanta. The Belgian international is a versatile player who can play in a variety of roles. As per transfermarkt.com, he has played on the left and right wing, plus as an attacking midfielder and upfront for Atalanta this season. That versatility would be appealing to Manchester City. But it’s his play and talent, coupled with that versatility, that makes him a player that would add a lot to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

In 36 appearances in all competitions this season Charles De Ketelaere has scored 11 goals and contributed 11 assists. Those are outstanding numbers for the Belgian playmaker. De Ketelaere’s eye for a goal and a pass does stand out in his play. But he also possesses tremendous dribbling ability. Those attributes make him a valuable attacking weapon for Atalanta. De Ketelaere is also an intelligent player and that also stands out when watching him play. He also has the physical attributes to play at the highest level. While De Ketelaere isn’t lightning quick he does possess the ability to accelerate quickly. That does help him beat defenders. All told, it’s easy to see why Manchester City would have an interest in signing Charles De Ketelaere.

The time is coming for Manchester City to replace Kevin De Bruyne. Charles De Ketelaere is a player who could step into that void. He did have a failed spell at AC Milan before he landed at Atalanta. But that experience may have been the best thing for his career. He now looks be a more complete player due to that experience. His career in a way does mirror that of Kevin De Bruyne’s before he signed for Manchester City. Perhaps De Ketelaere may follow in De Bruyne’s footsteps and one day arrive at the Etihad.