As if seeing Manchester City potentially clinch the title isn’t bad enough for Jose Mourinho, Kevin De Bruyne’s part in their success makes it even more awkward for him.
Mourinho let De Bruyne leave Chelsea in January 2014 — and Mohamed Salah, now starring at Liverpool, a year later.
‘I think it shows Salah’s and my strength,’ said the City midfielder. ‘If you have confidence in yourself, as long as you’re physically and mentally right, you can make it.
‘Everyone needs to find a system and playing style that suits you more. We’ve both found somebody who suits us more than it was before.’
De Bruyne spoke to Mourinho just twice in six months before leaving Stamford Bridge, having ‘lost his joy’ at Chelsea.
‘In the 10 years I’ve been playing, nine-and-a-half years have been up and half a year has been a bit down,’ said the 26-year-old Belgian. ‘That was an experience where I learned maybe the most out of how football goes.’
When City won 2-1 at Old Trafford in December, their loud celebrations sparked a tunnel bust-up, but there will be no holding back if City are crowned champions today.
‘The volume is always up,’ said De Bruyne. ‘If people take it badly, then I’m sorry. If you lose, you lose. You have to take it.’