Kevin De Bruyne looking to hand over responsibility to the next generation

Kevin De Bruyne looking to hand over responsibility to the next generation Kevin De Bruyne has been talking to the media ahead of Belgium’s clash with Italy in the Nations League. The Napoli midfielder stated how, unlike Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, he had no thoughts about skipping the Nations League matches. Instead, De Bruyne revealed how he hopes to be part of the transition to the new generation of Belgian football talent. De Bruyne said ‘ I want to be here and help the team, but the younger players will also have to take more responsibility ‘. De Bruyne, alongside Courtois and Romelu Lukaku, is one of the last remaining players from the sides golden generation of the 2010s. With Axel Witsel having retired from international football and Thomas Meunier not selected, De Bruyne and Lukaku are the natural leaders of the side. De Bruyne hinted that he is likely going to end his time with the national team after the next European championships in 2028, although he wasn’t quite ready to commit to this. De Bruyne is in his second season with Napoli since leaving Manchester City. His time in Serie A has been blighted by injury, with the 35-year-old only playing 21 games last season, with five goals and four assists. So far this season he has played six games and looks to be fit again, even if his level has not been as high as he hopes just yet. In those six games he has one goal and one assist, with Napoli sitting down in ninth in Serie A. GBeNeFN  |  Ben Jackson