Summary

  1. Postpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 4 April

    And that rounds up our Kevin de Bruyne to leave Man City reaction.

    Time for me (Joe) to hand over to Ben. Something about him having a higher FPL score than me...

    Ben, make sure Gianni's asked about Gabriel replacements!

  2. 'One of the best players in the Premier League'published at 14:22 British Summer Time 4 April

    Everton v Arsenal (Sat, 12:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was also asked about Kevin de Bruyne, who he worked with at Manchester City: "I rank him up there. He is one of the best players in the Premier League. [I've] Never seen a player that can deliver that precisely at that high speed."

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - Q&A with FPL expert Giannipublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 4 April

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Keep sending your questions in for FPL expert Gianni Buttice.

    We'll be switching up the live in 10 minutes!

  4. 'De Bruyne is one of the best Premier League midfielders ever'published at 14:17 British Summer Time 4 April

    Brentford v Chelsea (Sun, 14:00 BST)

    Brentford

    Brentford manager Thomas Frank was asked what his reaction was to Kevin de Bruyne leaving Manchester City: "A little bit shocked is probably the right way to say it. I can only praise him. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League ever. There are a few good ones, eh? But from the more central, offensive players like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard - iconic England ones - I think De Bruyne is up there.

    "I think he is a top player, almost a complete player in many ways and I think he has been crucial for Man City's success in the last years."

  5. 'One of the best midfielders in the Premier League'published at 14:14 British Summer Time 4 April

    Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Manchester United

    Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has paid tribute to Kevin de Bruyne after the midfielder announced he was leaving Manchester City at the end of the season: "That is easy, he was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

    "The time passes to everyone so it is a natural thing. He improved the league.

    "He was on the wrong side of Manchester so I wish him good luck. It was a pleasure to see him in Portugal a lot of times."

  6. Postpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 4 April

    Coming up in just over 20 minutes will be our FPL hour debut.

    And we'll have all our usual manager team news answers then.

    Quickly though, let's see what some other Prem bosses have had to say today about Kevin de Bruyne.

  7. What you might've missedpublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 4 April

    If you're just joining us... where have you been?! Kevin de Bruyne has announced he's leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. This is what you might have missed:

    You can watch The Football News Show to get even more reaction. Click 'watch live' at the top of the page.

  8. When will De Bruyne play his last game for Man City?published at 14:04 British Summer Time 4 April

    Pep Guardiola said he wasn't sure if Kevin de Bruyne would play the Club World Cup for Manchester City.

    According to BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone, De Bruyne is eligible to play in the group stage but would not be eligible for the knockout stage.

    The Premier League will have two transfer windows to allow City and Chelsea to sign players before the tournament

    The window will open between 1 June and 10 June, then close for five days before running again from 16 June until 1 September.

    But with today's announcement, it looks likely that he could leave before the tournament to pursue his career elsewhere.

    If that is the case, his final game in City colours will come against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 25 May.

    His last match at Etihad Stadium will be against Bournemouth on 18 May. If City do make it to the FA Cup final, that game will be be moved to another date.

  9. Postpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 4 April

    That's all from Pep Guardiola.

  10. 'I knew days ago about De Bruyne departure'published at 14:01 British Summer Time 4 April

    Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on if he was surprised by the news that De Bruyne would be leaving: "I knew it. I knew it days ago."

    On whether he still believes he has the ability and fitness to play at the highest level: "I wish, from the bottom of my heart I wish. I want him to be happy, I want to make him happy. He is going to be 34-years-old soon, I always say to my players if you still have the desire and hunger to play then play because once it's over it is over.

    "You still have to enjoy every morning, every training and wake up and play. You still have to be happy and have to have the nervousness, the tension - you have to."

  11. get involved

    Get Involved - De Bruyne to leave Man Citypublished at 13:58 British Summer Time 4 April

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    De Bruyne was a majestic player, just superb. You could argue he has stayed a season too long and Pep made a massive error in not keeping Palmer who was his obvious successor. But in a way, legends deserve to write their own exit script.

    Anon

  12. 'Kevin is a special person and special player'published at 13:55 British Summer Time 4 April

    Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked if he could shed any light on the conversation he had with De Bruyne this week: "No. Kevin is a special person and special player and special people are treated in a special way. It is one decade together. Do you know how many games together, meetings, training sessions and how many good and bad moments we had together.

    "Being involved for one decade - every single day we were together. It is an emotional moment and it was not easy for me to tell him it won't continue. These situations are always so difficult because emotions are there. Everybody knows.

    "We are going to enjoy the last two months here together but of course emotionally it is tough, it is difficult."

  13. Guardiola unsure of De Bruyne's Club World Cup availabilitypublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 4 April

    Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on whether De Bruyne will be part of the squad for the Club World Cup: "It's a good question, I don't know. I think he has to decide. Honestly, I don't know. I think the club have to talk to him or he has to say what he has to do.

    On whether it would be a fitting end to his City career: "Of course. It would be the first time to play this competition and at the end of three games he is still under contract until 30 June but after that if we go through, I don't know. I cannot answer because it is an answer I think Kevin has to tell and after that - the fact if it is legally possible or not."

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - De Bruyne to leave Man Citypublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 4 April

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Very classy statement from a fantastic player. Only wish he'd played for Liverpool. He's leaving as a legend at city and deservedly so.

    Anon

  15. Postpublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 4 April

    All that to come.

    I had volunteered to be our new FPL guy - but ever since I wasted my Assistant Manager chip on Ruud van Nistelrooy, editor Murray Burnell hasn't been answering my calls.

  16. get involved

    Get Involved - Q&A with FPL expert Giannipublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 4 April

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    That's right, at 14:30 BST we’re turning the live page into a Fantasy Premier League special.

    So get your questions in for FPL expert Gianni Buttice ahead of gameweek 31.

    Got a selection dilemma?

    Stuck on your next transfer?

    Confused about how to approach the upcoming double gameweeks?

    Considering triple captain?

    He’s here to help.

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  17. FPL chat coming up!published at 13:44 British Summer Time 4 April

    I get your frustration, Ben, so how about this for a plan?

    From 14:30 BST we're going to move on from Kevin de Bruyne reaction and fully focus on team news with a Fantasy Football twist.

    Remember that Friday a few weeks back where we had great fun roasting my FPL team? Well it was so successful we want to try a new Fantasy Premier League format.

    Except this time we've brought in an expert...

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 4 April

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    It’s very sad about KDB but please can we have more manager conference updates. It’s vital I get my fantasy football team right this weekend and while KDB may be the greatest premier league midfielder of all team, he hasn’t a chance of getting into my team this weekend.

    Ben

  19. De Bruyne is one of the all-time greats says Guardiolapublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 4 April

  20. KDB through the yearspublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 4 April

    Kevin De BruyneImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Arriving at Selhurst Park where he made his Manchester City debut - 12 September 2015

    Leroy Sane of Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrate with The Premier League TrophyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    De Bruyne celebrates with Leroy Sane after winning the title - May 6, 2018

    Kevin de Bruyne with the Champions League trophyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Celebrating with the Champions League trophy in Istanbul - June 10, 2023