While Kevin De Bruyne still has a number of years ahead of him doing what he does best, he is now 30 years old, and there will come a time when Manchester City need to think about replacing him.
They might already have a few options within the club, such is their depth, but if they do fancy keeping that Belgian touch at the club going forward, then Charles De Ketelaere could be the man for the job.
Currently shining at Club Brugge, the midfielder has already picked up four caps for his home country, which is impressive considering how many options Roberto Martinez has at his disposal.
Either way, there is one man, Trond Sollied, a Norwegian manager who knows Belgium well from managing there for about nine years throughout his career, who believes Manchester City would be the ideal move for De Ketelaere down the line.
He told De Standaard: “De Ketelaere is fantastic. The big clubs should see that, right? Otherwise you are blind. He can go anywhere. I don’t think City need him right now. They already have so many, but they do play a system that would suit him like a glove.
“Kevin De Bruyne must have been surprised when he saw him train for the national team. De Ketelaere looks like a smart boy to me. His father is a doctor, so he must have learned something.”
We’ll have to wait and see which direction Manchester City decide to go when De Bruyne eventually decides to move on from the Etihad, but few would argue against De Ketelaere’s potential to be the right man.
Some, however, believe it’s too soon for a move, like Marc Degryse, who recently voiced his opinion that a club like Leicester City could be the ideal move for the 20-year-old.
King Power Stadium and then the Etihad? He wouldn’t be the first player to have followed that path…
