Kevin De Bruyne’s anticipated exit from Manchester City this summer has ignited widespread debate about his legacy in Premier League history.
While there’s no denying his extraordinary passing talent, declaring him the greatest midfielder of all time feels premature.
Critics point to his lack of pace and agility, and suggest that he has often been outshined by former teammate David Silva, whose elegance and creativity arguably surpassed De Bruyne’s.
Additionally, De Bruyne’s defensive contributions are minimal, as he rarely tracks back—drawing comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s well-known defensive vulnerabilities.
Despite frequently operating near the opponent’s goal, his scoring record is not particularly outstanding.
This has led some to question why so many are quick to place him among the all-time greats, especially when legendary midfielders like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Patrick Vieira, and Roy Keane have left behind such impactful legacies.
The author suggests that this rush to crown De Bruyne may be driven by recency bias. Because he’s performing at a high level right now, fans and analysts may be overlooking the achievements of past icons who helped shape the game.
In a separate but related critique, the author vents frustration over the current state of VAR, using the recent Chelsea vs. Tottenham clash as an example.
They argue that VAR is sluggish, often ineffective at correcting obvious errors, and poorly interpreted by referees and pundits—including Wayne Rooney.
The piece concludes that VAR, in its current form, does more harm than good, raising serious concerns about its long-term viability in football.
