Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Chelsea will not pursue 33-year-old Kevin De Bruyne this summer despite previously targeting Virgil van Dijk.
Enzo Maresca has made clear that he wants to inject experience into his squad but will not chase Kevin De Bruyne once his Manchester City contract expires in June. De Bruyne, 33, is available on a free transfer, yet Chelsea have decided to focus their resources elsewhere rather than invest in the Belgian playmaker.
Kevin De Bruyne leaves City with a glittering résumé. Over ten seasons at the Etihad, he amassed 416 appearances, netted 107 goals and provided 177 assists across all competitions. In the 2024–25 Premier League campaign, he featured in 24 matches, contributing three goals and seven assists. De Bruyne’s haul of six league titles and a 2023 Champions League winners’ medal underline his pedigree.
Despite that, Maresca and his recruitment team are wary of De Bruyne’s fit alongside emerging talents such as Cole Palmer. Balancing a seasoned playmaker with dynamic youth has proven tricky. Chelsea’s boss believes fresh legs and long-term upside will better serve the squad’s evolution than another veteran midfielder.
Champions League qualification will heavily influence Chelsea’s summer budget. With five sides battling for three remaining spots in Europe’s elite competition, securing a top-four finish is crucial. Maresca has stressed that any significant signing will hinge on the revenue boost provided by Champions League football next season.
Before Virgil van Dijk agreed his new deal with Liverpool, Chelsea monitored the Dutch centre-back’s availability. At the time, the 33-year-old had impressed with his blend of leadership and consistency. By April 2025, Van Dijk had chalked up 230 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, scored 20 goals, supplied eight assists and marshalled the defence to 116 clean sheets.
Van Dijk’s contract extension, which runs until June 2027, ultimately put an end to Chelsea’s pursuit. The club’s hierarchy concluded that retaining their captain—and commanding a reported £400,000-per-week wage—made him off-limits. Van Dijk’s aerial dominance, combined with his tactical intelligence, has kept him performing at the highest level well into his thirties.
Rather than targeting big-name veterans, Chelsea will prioritise players with substantial first-team experience under their belts. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, closing in on 100 Premier League appearances and already a regular England call-up, ranks highly on the Blues’ list of potential recruits. Maresca values game time above age when plotting his summer business.
Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, retains lofty ambitions. The two-time PFA Player of the Year insists he has plenty to offer at the top level. Interest from Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League has emerged, but several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, have held internal talks over a possible free-transfer swoop. Wherever he lands, De Bruyne will carry an enviable track record of excellence into his next chapter.
