Kieran Trippier and Dominic Solanke reacts to Phil Foden Manchester City Exit
Credit: Imago
Phil Foden’s England team-mates Kieran Trippier and Dominic Solanke have reacted to a Man City farewell message posted on his social media.
The City midfielder was an unused substitute as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, which all but confirmed their place in the Champions League next season.
Omar Marmoush opened the scoring with a ridiculous 35-yard strike, which swerved and dipped past Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the top corner.
Bernardo Silva and Nico added goals for the hosts, before Bournemouth found a late consolation through Daniel Jebbison.
Omar Marmoush Man City
Omar Marmoush scored a screamer against Bournemouth (Credit Imago)
Foden bids farewell to City team-mate
Foden has had a poor campaign for Man City, with the midfielder only starting 20 out of the Manchester side’s 37 Premier League games so far.
The England international managed 27 goal contributions last season, as he won the PFA Player of the Season award, but in 2024/25 he has just nine to his name.
Games Goals Assists
27 7 2
Phil Foden’s Premier League stats 2024/25
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However after the summer break, the 24-year-old will have no choice but to step up, as Kevin De Bruyne leaves Man City.
The match against Bournemouth was De Bruyne’s last home game in a City shirt, and Foden paid tribute to the Belgian on social media.
He took to Instagram to post a number of photos from the post-match celebrations, with the caption saying: “An evening celebrating @kevindebruyne.”
Foden’s international team-mates Kieran Trippier and Dominic Solanke liked the post, to show their appreciation.
View Instagram Post
Foden must step up
Football Insider Verdict
It has always felt as if Foden was going to be De Bruyne’s natural replacement, when the veteran midfielder moved on from Manchester.
In fact, last season it felt like the passing of the torch had already taken place, with the 33-year-old only managing 18 games due to injury.
However, since his European Championships campaign with England, Foden has struggled to hit the same heights as before, looking a shell of the player he was.
Of course, this is someone who has had very little rest over the past few years, and after breaking through at just 17, he has played a lot of football for his age.
Foden will be free of De Bruyne’s shadow next season, but it is yet to be seen whether he can recover his form to step up and fill the void of a Man City legend.
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Kevin De Bruyne said his goodbyes to Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne said his goodbyes to Manchester City as he played for the final time at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola breaking down in tears as the club paid tribute to the Belgian
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne receives applause and the thanks of his manager Pep Guardiola as he leaves the field in the second half of the Premier League match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Pep was emotional as De Bruyne said goodbye to the club
Kevin De Bruyne bid an emotional farewell to the Manchester City fans on Tuesday evening, with Pep Guardiola unable to hold back tears as it was unveiled that a statue will be erected in honour of the midfield maestro.
De Bruyne played for the last time when City triumphed over Bournemouth 3-1, getting subbed off after a solid 70-minute display, thus closing the chapter on his resplendent ten-year stint wearing City blue.
The departure was met by raucous applause as Guardiola made tactical adjustments following Mateo Kovacic’s sending off, introducing Nico Gonzalez for the final 20 minutes. The crowd stood and belted out De Bruyne’s name, even after he missed an open goal earlier in the game.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is thrown into the air by teammates after the Premier League match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
De Bruyne has been at City for over ten years
Post-match, the Belgian legend exited arm in arm with his family and three kids while the supporters lingered to show their appreciation. A heartfelt video featuring tributes from City icons played out on the jumbotrons, drawing tears from an emotional Guardiola.
When De Bruyne finally took the mic, he declared: “Manchester is home, it is where my kids were born. I came here with my wife to stay for a long time, didn’t expect it to be ten years, to do what we’ve done as a club. We’ve won everything, we made the club bigger and now they’re going to take over.
“I wanted to play with creativity, with passion, I wanted to enjoy football and I hope everybody enjoyed it. Everybody from inside and outside of the club made me so much better than I was before, its been an absolutely honour to plat with these guys. I’ve made friends for life, I’ll be back for sure.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City with his wife, Michèle De Bruyne and children during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
His wife Michèle and their three children were there to support
He went on: “You just want to do well and win and when you win you want to win more. We’ve had six parades that have been incredible, to witness everything and all the moments with these teammates. It’s been a pleasure.”
Speaking directly to the fans, he expressed: “They’ve been so welcoming from the beginning but to have a full stadium supporting my family and me. Who can have 50,000 people waiting to say goodbye – it is indescribable. Thank you very much.”
When asked about his feelings towards having a statue erected in his honour, De Bruyne responded: “It means I’ll always be part of this club and I’ll represent a small piece. Whenever I come back I’ll be able to see myself standing around so I’ll always be here.”
Before addressing the crowd, he shared with Sky Sports: “It has been unbelievable to have the ten years I’ve had with everything that’s happened. It’s been an unbelievable ride, an absolute pleasure”.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 20: A fan of Manchester City holds up a banner for Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Fans were showing the love for De Bruyne throughout the game
He further added: “I want to bring joy to people, play offensive football, I want to have fun and I think we had a lot of fun in these ten years. Obviously you win, you lose sometimes but it was a joy working really hard and creating something for this club.”
De Bruyne’s departure was officially announced in April, following months of rumours as his contract neared its end. He made the switch to Manchester from Wolfsburg back in 2015 for a then record-breaking fee and has since cemented his status as one of the club’s all-time greats.
The Belgian ace has bagged six Premier League titles during his stint at the Etihad and clinched the Champions League in 2023. His dazzling individual performances have earned him a host of awards, including being named PFA Player of the Year twice in a row.
Speculation is now rife about De Bruyne’s next move, with the midfield maestro not dismissing the possibility of staying in Europe – or even the Premier League. Initially, he was tipped for a transfer to the MLS, but he’s adamant about continuing to play top-tier football.
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