Kevin de Bruyne has undoubtedly been one of Manchester City’s greatest signings, with the Belgian midfielder contributing to six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups and one Champions League triumph. Unfortunately, his influence has waned over the last twelve months and injuries have prevented him from nailing down a regular starting spot, limiting him to just 13 appearances by mid-January.
The former Wolfsburg man is undoubtedly a popular figure in the dressing room, and City fans are extremely fond of the 33-year-old, yet the club appears unwilling to offer him a new contract. He has been part of a historic and record-breaking period for the club, and it’ll be tough to say goodbye to one of the Premier League’s greatest creators.
Why San Diego?
De Bruyne currently earns £400,000 per week, limiting the number of potential suitors for the Belgian international. He was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, although this proved to be merely speculation. The veteran is unlikely to move to La Liga with Barcelona enduring financial issues whereas PSG just doesn’t feel like the right fit.
The MLS has emerged as a potential destination. Although he has been linked with a move to Inter Miami, where he would be able to list Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez amongst his teammates, San Diego FC have emerged as major frontrunners. The franchise is set to make their long-awaited Major League Soccer debut when the 2025 campaign gets underway at the end of February. Their inaugural fixture will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park where they take on 2024 MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy. As you would expect, the newcomers are outsiders with the majority of the bookmakers for this contest, however, De Bruyne’s arrival may shift the odds in favour of the expansion side.
A move to California’s second-largest city would also suit De Bruyne’s lifestyle with San Diego widely regarded as an excellent place to raise children. As a father-of-three and a dedicated family man, the former Chelsea midfielder would enjoy the laid-back way of life. His kids would likely find it much easier to acclimatise to the US than Saudi Arabia.
Although there may be some concerns surrounding De Bruyne’s ability to adapt to the unbearable heat and potentially sweltering conditions, the MLS has introduced measures to help players with the humidity. Furthermore, many of San Diego’s home matches will kick off at 7:30pm local time, with the domestic action taking a break for the Leagues Cup throughout July, a competition for which De Bruyne could be potentially rested.
Would De Bruyne’s Arrival Increase Interest in Major League Soccer?
The MLS has been striving for global relevance and De Bruyne’s arrival would be viewed as a significant coup for the league’s newest franchise. It would provide a strategic uplift for the competition which has recently been boosted by ‘Messi-mania’ with record attendances and a notable rise in sponsorship revenue.
The competition previously relied upon ageing pros, often European, to improve the visibility of Major League Soccer, yet, there has been a notable shift towards developing players instead. This transition should also improve the fortunes of MLS clubs in competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions League, which has typically been dominated by Mexican clubs. Seattle Sounders’ unexpected victory in 2022 defied the outright betting odds and was the only MLS success since LA Galaxy triumphed in 2020.
The expansion of the legal sports betting industry in the US has resulted in increased handle for both competitions, yet with the legal wagering total for the 2023 season topping $26.7billion, NFL continues to lead the way when it comes to betting. Several new sportsbooks have launched products in the last twelve months, aiming to capitalise on this growing trend. They tend to offer a vastly improved range of wagering options allowing football fans to take control of their own betting experience. Creating a more favourable scenario by opting for teaser bets is one such example, whereas markets such as alternative spreads and rushing props allow NFL enthusiasts to create bespoke bets for every single game throughout the regular season.
Although attendances remain healthy across the board, competitions such as NFL and MLB eclipse the MLS in terms of popularity. This is reflected in both viewing and streaming figures, with Super Bowl LVIII becoming the most watched telecast in history with an average of 123.4million viewers. NFL also boasts far greater revenue and is the number one choice for US bettors.
De Bruyne’s arrival is likely to add an extra layer of interest and could tempt many City fans to sign up for Apple TV and become regular viewers of Major League Soccer. His style should work well in America, although he would need to adjust to the February-November schedule and if he arrives mid-season, he will need a few games to get up to speed and avoid any further injury setbacks.