LONDON: Two years ago, former Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce interrupted Kevin De Bruyne’s post-match interview after he had inspired Manchester City’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win at St. James’ Park — and joked the midfielder would soon be joining the Magpies.
Newcastle host the Premier League champions again on Sunday, now in a position to attract top players following the takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
But, having been instrumental in their four Premier League titles in the past five seasons and pursuit of a first Champions League success, it is hard to see the brilliant Belgian leaving City anytime soon. And maybe he never will.
While the Abu Dhabi-owned club have undergone a squad evolution this summer with four key personnel from their trophy-laden era having departed, including former captain Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling, De Bruyne enters an eighth season as their current longest-serving player.
Having extended his contract until 2025 — when he will be 34 and have spent 10 years at City since he signed from Wolfsburg for $65 million — he admits he could end his playing career at the club.
“It could be,” he told Arab News exclusively. “I signed my contract until 2025 and my thinking is that I will probably do that contract — and after we will see what happens.
“It changes all the time, football doesn’t it? I’m starting my eighth season here now and that’s a long time, you see a lot of people come and go. Everyone gets older and everyone gets changed some time. Fortunately, I don’t have to go yet, so I’m OK. I’m happy and I’m still having fun.”
With a skillset that entwines exquisite assists and glorious goals, De Bruyne certainly has that joie de vivre on the pitch.
Yet, despite now being widely lauded as the world’s best in his position and named both the English PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season twice in the last three years, he is reluctant to revel in the accolades and adulation.
When De Bruyne does finish, there may well be a statue in his honor at the Etihad, standing proudly alongside other heroes, such as compatriot Vincent Kompany, Spaniard David Silva, and City’s record scorer Sergio Aguero.
He said: “I honestly don’t care. I hope whenever I leave that people look at all the good times and enjoyed the football that I played — and that’s more important than having a statue. I try to be the best version I can be and try to be consistent. I’m at the age now where it’s not really about progressing in many aspects but trying to be the best player I can be every week.
“It’s not like when I was 20 and you want to develop a lot more. I see everything differently now and just want to do whatever I need to win games.
“The ambition is to win — that’s what pushes me to be the best I can be. If the team wins and plays good and I can do the same, that’s what I want to do.”
This is indicative of De Bruyne’s humility and relaxed approach to awards or gushing praise from his peers.
“It just shows the consistency. It’s all about trying to have fun and do a good job, and when people decide about awards or how good you are, they decide, and I accept. You just want to be the best version of what you can be, and the way I look at that situation is other people decide about these things.
“As a player, you reflect on what you have done in your whole career maybe later. At the moment I don’t have the time to think about that, but I’m happy you know and that’s one of the main things. To be happy with what you do, with my family, with my kids and, if you enjoy all that, then that makes it even better.”
With a goal and two assists in his side’s opening two victories, De Bruyne and City have started the season in style and now bid for a sixth successive league win against Newcastle after scoring 20 goals in the other five.
Having pipped Liverpool to the title by a point on the final day last season with a dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa — coming back from 2-0 down with just 15 minutes left — they are now chasing a third successive league title too.
Only Manchester United have achieved this in the Premier League era, from 1999-2001 and then 2007-09.
“If we manage that, it would be something nice,” said De Bruyne. “It’s hard to compare teams. It’s a different era, different players, and different teams.
“But I think you understand as a team how hard it is to push yourselves to these limits when you do what we have done.
“People take it maybe for granted that we win so many games — and they think it’s normal. But it’s really not that easy to do what both teams, City and Liverpool, have done — to get so many points and so many wins.
“We work incredibly hard and, especially with the league getting tougher every year and so many teams with a lot of qualities, that makes it even harder.”
City, though, have proved under Pep Guardiola in recent seasons that they relish a challenge. So too does De Bruyne, who feels fit and fired up. “Summer was good, and I started now in good shape, so let’s hope it continues. But I never put any targets on myself. I don’t think it makes sense.
“You can play good games without having any assists or goals. I know people talk about it, and it’s important, but it’s not that important for me.
“When you are close to the records, you try, but it’s not something at the beginning of the season where you think I want to get more than that.”
That said, many expect De Bruyne to break the record of 20 assists in a season he holds jointly with Thierry Henry, especially with Erling Haaland now leading City’s attack following his $60 million move from Borussia Dortmund.
The Norwegian opened his goal account with two at West Ham but had just eight touches, including an assist for Ilkay Gundogan’s goal, in last weekend’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth.
De Bruyne has no doubt City will adapt to Haaland’s strengths and that the striker will flourish, saying he sees similarities with his Belgian teammate Romelu Lukaku.
“He’s a little bit like Rom, but everyone is still so unique, so it’s all good,” he added.
“Playing with different players is a little bit different at the start, but we have played with strikers before. We have had Kun (Aguero), and I played with Wilfried Bony before and with Rom in the national team. So we know what to do with strikers and without.”
Manchester City enjoying ‘best version’ of Kevin De Bruyne
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Manchester City enjoying ‘best version’ of Kevin De Bruyne
- With a goal and two assists in his team’s opening two victories, the Belgian has started the new Premier League season in style as City visit Newcastle on Sunday
- When De Bruyne does finish, there may well be a statue in his honor at the Etihad, standing proudly alongside other heroes
DP World ILT20 season 3 to begin Jan. 11 next year
Dubai: The third season of the DP World International League T20 will begin on Jan. 11 next year, organizers have announced.
The 34-match tournament will run for a month with the final to be played on Feb. 9.
The season three window announcement follows the hugely successful second season, which concluded with the MI Emirates lifting the iconic DP World ILT20 trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the Dubai International Stadium in the final on Feb. 17 this year.
The broadcast numbers for season two received a major boost with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world via the linear and online platforms of tournament broadcast rights holder Zee Network, and its broadcast syndication partners in different territories.
Season two also saw a major increase in crowds across the three tournament venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. There was a phenomenal increase in crowd numbers across the three sites, with a cumulative increase of almost 300 percent in comparison to the first season of the tournament.
Season three will once again provide spectators at the three stadiums and fans from around the world — using the Zee Network and partner platforms — enthralling cricket action with a lineup of world-class T20 talent and exciting entertainment offerings for fans from all age groups.
DP World ILT20 CEO David White said: “We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 season three. The window has been finalized after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for season three with an aim of making the league even bigger and better.
“Season two was a massive success in terms of all relevant metrics and helped further strengthen the league’s reputation, making it one of the most sought after T20 leagues for players, fans and broadcasters from around the world. Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for season three has turned out to be the most suitable.
“The DP World ILT20 is also proving to be a successful platform for the development of the UAE players as seen in their recent outstanding performance in the ACC Premier Cup in Oman, which helped them qualify for the prestigious Asia Cup (2025, T20 format) for the first time in eight years. Most of the players who excelled in Oman had gained invaluable experience and exposure in season two.
“The cricket fans in the UAE and those who travel to our wonderful destinations Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah from across the globe will have a lot to look forward to in season three. We have a series of exciting announcements lined up as our six world-class franchises and their coaching staff put their heads together for retention of players while eying new local and international talent for season three signings.”
Championship leader Wehrlein eyes first home win as Formula E returns to Berlin
- The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit for rounds 9 and 10
- Berlin holds historic significance as the only city to host a race in every Formula E season to date
DUBAI: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Berlin’s iconic Tempelhof Airport street circuit this weekend, May 11-12.
As season 10 reaches the midway point, round 9 and 10 will be the third double-header of the season and are set to intensify the battle for the title.
With a decade of racing history, all eyes are on the 22 drivers to recreate the excitement of the past 18 races in the German capital, a highlight of which was a remarkable 362 overtakes in last season’s event.
Notable contenders include ABT Cupra’s Lucas di Grassi — eager to take his maiden win of the season in front of his team’s home crowd — and Antonio Felix da Costa, two of only three double winners in Berlin.
Jaguar TCS Racing are aiming to replicate their memorable 1-2 finish from season 9 while Maserati MSG Racing’s Maximilian Gunther has high hopes for his home race.
TAG Heuer Porsche seek to consolidate their lead with Pascal Wehrlein in the Drivers’ Championship standings on what is home territory for both driver and team.
Berlin holds the distinction of being the only city to have hosted a race in every Formula E season — a total of 18 races. With Tempelhofer Feld as the host venue for all but one season, the track presents a familiar yet demanding challenge and, with an updated layout, the opportunities are wide open.
The second season of the GEN3 era has already yielded fierce competition, with the first eight rounds crowning seven different race winners. No fewer than 11 drivers have celebrated on the podium and, currently, seven different teams are represented in the top 10 of the drivers’ standings.
As the championship gears up for the second half of the year, the current drivers’ standings are as follows: Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche leads the pack — the only driver with two wins under his belt so far this season; he is closely followed by Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy, who boasts a win and four podiums, leaving him only seven points shy of the lead.
Currently in third is 2023 World Champion Jake Dennis, of Andretti Formula E. He is followed by round 6 winner Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E and Mitch Evans, Cassidy’s teammate at Jaguar TCS Racing, in fourth and fifth respectively.
Maximilian Günther of Maserati MSG Racing and DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne are currently sixth and seventh, with Sam Bird of NEOM McLaren Formula E in eighth. Stoffel Vandoorne, after a season-best performance in Monaco, sits in ninth in the other DS Penske machine, while TAG Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa rounds out the top ten.
Al-Hilal has to delay title celebrations as Al-Nassr beats Al-Okhdood
- Marcelo Brozovic’s 91st minute winner means the leaders can wrap a 19th Saudi Pro League championship against Al-Hazem on Saturday
RIYADH: A stoppage-time goal by Marcelo Brozovic secured a 3-2 win for Al-Nassr against gallant Al-Okhdood on Thursday night at Prince Hathloul Stadium, which means a delay for Al-Hilal’s crowning as Saudi Pro League champions.
Al-Nassr had led 2-0 at half time before the home team mounted a spirited second-half comeback to square the match, a result which would have handed the title to leaders Al-Hilal with four matches left.
The win raised the Yellows’ points tally to 77 points, nine behind their Riyadh rivals. Al-Hilal can wrap up a record-extending 19th championship on Saturday night with a win or draw against Al-Hazem in Riyadh.
Al-Nassr took the lead through Brozovic after only seven minutes and a comfortable win was on the cards when Cristiano Ronaldo made it 2-0 only eight minutes later.
However, goals by Hassan Al-Habib on the hour mark and Saviour Goodwin 10 minutes later looked to have earned the 15th-placed team a vital point in their battle against relegation.
In the unlikely event they fail to win against Al-Hazem, Al-Hilal will have another chance on May 17 against Al-Nassr in the Riyadh Derby at Al-Awwal Park Stadium.
Time running out for Arsenal as Man City hunt Premier League glory
- Arsenal, boasting a superior goal difference, need City to stumble but the signs are not promising
- Newcastle and Chelsea are both making a late-season charge for a European place, helped by Manchester United’s slump
LONDON: Arsenal have barely put a foot wrong in the Premier League in 2024 but, as the title race approaches the finish line, they desperately need a favor from Fulham, who host relentless Manchester City this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who travel to Manchester United, are one point clear at the top of the table with two matches to play but Pep Guardiola’s men, crucially, have a game in hand.
Nottingham Forest will take a huge step toward safety if they beat in-form Chelsea, who are battling Newcastle and Manchester United for a European spot.
Here’s a look at three talking points ahead of the action.
When the 2023/24 fixture list came out, Sunday’s trip to Manchester United would have seemed a tricky task for Arsenal, but it is not looking that way now.
The Gunners, chasing their first Premier League title for 20 years, are likely to have been dislodged from the top of the table by the time they kick off at Old Trafford on Sunday.
That is because second placed City, in the hunt for a historic fourth straight Premier League title, are in action at Fulham the previous day.
City are unbeaten against the London side in 21 games in all competitions.
Arsenal will be confident they can beat a sputtering United team, who appear increasingly likely to miss out on European football next season after their embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.
City’s game in hand is next week at Tottenham, where they have never even scored a goal in the league, but Spurs’ form has deserted them and Erling Haaland is back to his marauding best.
Arsenal, boasting a superior goal difference, need City to stumble but the signs are not promising.
Newcastle and Chelsea are both making a late-season charge for a European place, helped by Manchester United’s slump.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are in pole position to take either a Europa League or UEFA Conference League spot, depending on results in the last few rounds of the Premier League and in the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United.
They could even finish in fifth spot if Tottenham implode further.
Sixth-placed Newcastle, who host Brighton on Saturday, have won five of their past seven league games.
Free-scoring Chelsea were well off the pace just weeks ago, but a run of one defeat in their past 12 league games has given them hope of salvaging a troubled season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men travel to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest knowing a win will keep alive their hopes of a European spot.
Nottingham Forest learned this week that an appeal against their four-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules had been unsuccessful, but they are still close to securing top-flight safety.
If Forest better Luton’s result against West Ham they will be on the brink of securing a third straight year in the top-flight.
It has been a rollercoaster season for Forest, who were charged with improper conduct by the Football Association earlier this month after the club criticized VAR Stuart Attwell on social media following their defeat to Everton.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo said he had “already moved on” after the failed appeal over their points deduction.
They are favorites to avoid the drop but if results go against them this weekend, they could yet face a shootout for survival with Burnley on the final weekend.
Fixtures
Saturday (1400 GMT unless stated)
Fulham vs. Man City (1130), Bournemouth vs. Brentford, Everton vs. Sheff Utd, Newcastle vs. Brighton, Tottenham vs. Burnley, West Ham vs. Luton, Wolves vs. Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea (1630)
Sunday
Manchester United vs. Arsenal (1530)
Monday
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool (1900)
McIlroy on PGA subcommittee set for direct PIF merger talks
- A framework agreement released last June has not been finalized, the board needing to approve such a move
- McIlroy said that while he is not returning to the tour policy board, he was brought into the subcommittee to provide knowledge and perspective
WASHINGTON: Rory McIlroy revealed details on Thursday about a new PGA Tour subcommittee created to conduct direct talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) about finalizing a merger deal.
Players Tiger Woods, Adam Scott and McIlroy will be on a seven-person PGA Tour Policy Board transaction subcommittee created to sit across the table from the financial backers of LIV Golf and hammer out terms to unite the tours.
A framework agreement released last June has not been finalized, the board needing to approve such a move, and talks have stretched well beyond the initial deadline of last December.
“There’s a window of opportunity here,” McIlroy said. “I think that window closes ever so slightly every day that passes by, so I would say time is of the essence, absolutely.”
Others on the subcommittee would include PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Fenway Sports Group boss John Henry, who led an investment group of US sports team owners that created a $1.5 billion for-profit entity PGA Tour Enterprises.
McIlroy said that while he is not returning to the tour policy board, he was brought into the subcommittee to provide knowledge and perspective.
“A different perspective, maybe more of an international perspective,” he said. “My insight is more the position of where the global game is and where it could go.”
McIlroy also has relationships on both sides of the table, including with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
“I feel like I’ve got good relationships on both sides there and hopefully I can bring something to the table, try to provide some insight and value and see if we can get this thing done,” McIlroy said.
Woods, a 15-time major winner, was among those said to disagree with McIlroy about the future direction of the sport. McIlroy said that there is no strain on their relationship even though they don’t totally agree on a path forward.
“Friends can have disagreements or not see eye to eye on things. I think that’s fine,” McIlroy said. “We had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes just about a lot of different things. No, there’s no strain there.
“I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don’t think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship.”
McIlroy said the subcommittee has already had meetings to plan the way forward in negotiations.
“I’ve already had calls with that group. I had a really good hour and a half Zoom with those guys on Sunday. We went through a 150 page doc about the future product model and everything,” McIlroy said.
“Yeah, I’m not on the board, but I’m in some way involved in that transaction committee. I don’t have a vote so I don’t have, I guess, a meaningful say in what happens in the future, but I feel like I can be helpful on that committee, and that was sort of a compromise for not getting a board seat.”
McIlroy said the big issue about him returning to the board in place of Webb Simpson, who was leaving but now is staying, was regarding improper process, not his viewpoints.
When noting PGA-LIV potential deal stumbling points on Wednesday, McIlroy cited American players possibly not wanting to have greater worldwide travel for tournaments compared to mostly US-based events now and what punishment might be required for those who jumped from the PGA Tour to LIV while others declined them and stayed loyal to the established circuit.
