De Bruyne denies he ever considered leaving Napoli

Speaking from Belgium's camp, the midfielder shuts down summer exit rumours and gives an update on his form, from a goal on the opening day to three full 90 minutes in a row.

by Gennaro SanninoTuesday 22 September, 20:47 CET· 1 hour ago

De Bruyne con la maglia del SSC Napoli — Foto: football-italia.net

"I never considered leaving Napoli this summer, I didn't talk to anyone about it." Kevin De Bruyne said this just hours before Belgium's first match since the World Cup, personally putting to rest for the first time the rumours of a possible departure that circulated during the transfer window.

The rumours stayed exactly that in his words — no destinations, no figures. De Bruyne simply closed the subject, in a summer when Napoli still posted a negative transfer balance and added no reinforcements in midfield, despite promises of hunger and desire from the dressing room.

On his own form, De Bruyne said he was satisfied. He had already registered a goal and an assist on the opening day of the season, in a 0-2 win away to Genoa. "I think my level is good; I was pleasantly surprised by my form as early as the start of August," he said, explaining that he resumed training in early August and felt "immediately fit". Not every game has been a full 90 minutes as a starter so far, but the last three have been. He drew the comparison with himself: "Compared to my peak ten years ago, it might be slightly different, but I think that's normal."

Available to van Bommel

With new head coach Mark van Bommel, De Bruyne put himself at the team's disposal: "I told van Bommel I'm here to help. I feel good both mentally and physically, so I just wanted to keep going like this." He added that he had received pressure of the opposite kind over his Belgium future: "A lot of players asked me to stay. I don't want to think too much about the future, but for me it wasn't a problem."

I never considered leaving Napoli this summer, I didn't talk to anyone about it.

His reassurances come at a delicate moment for Napoli, who sit ninth with 7 points from five games and are coming off a draw in Florence, where De Bruyne himself faded and his position in midfield has again become an open question for Allegri. Saying he never thought about leaving is one thing; making an impact on the pitch again is another — the guarantee of staying doesn't by itself answer the questions about the team.

Napoli return to action on 10 October against Frosinone at the Maradona, when Serie A resumes after the international break. De Bruyne, with Belgium playing their first match back from the World Cup, will arrive at that game with more international minutes in his legs — whether that's enough to bring back the player seen in Genoa remains to be seen.