PEP: KEV'S UP WITH DE BEST

PEP GUARDIOLA says it will be virtually impossible for Manchester City to replace Kevin De Bruyne.

- BY DAVID ANDERSON

The Belgian midfielder will leave this summer after a success-filled decade at the Etihad, and Guardiola says he is unique as a player.

City will move on, because no single player is bigger than a club, but Guardiola sees no one in his squad who offers De Bruyne's qualities.

The City boss said: “The club has to move forward, move on, and replicating this kind of player is so difficult.

“But, yeah, these are the qualities and things we now have to find.

“Of course it's difficult. People said Erling Haaland came in to replace Sergio Aguero, but Sergio was irreplaceable for so many things, and it wasn't just about the goals.

“Sergio gave something that is unique, and Erling also will be unique.

“But Sergio scored to create the most important moment in the club's history - that goal in that moment everybody knows, against QPR.

“Some things can't be substituted, because they are so important.

“I would love to be eternal here - and Sergio and Kevin - but it's not possible.