As the sun sets on Kevin De Bruyne’s illustrious tenure at Manchester City, with the Belgian maestro announcing his departure at the end of the 2025 season, the football world is reflecting on a prediction that has aged like milk left out in the summer heat. Back in 2015, when City shelled out £54.5 million to bring De Bruyne from Wolfsburg, pundit Paul Merson didn’t hold back, labeling the transfer fee “pathetically overpriced.” A decade later, with De Bruyne’s trophy-laden legacy etched in the Etihad’s history, that verdict stands as a comedic misstep, a testament to how even the sharpest minds can misjudge a diamond in the rough.
Picture the scene: August 2015, Manchester City flexing their financial muscle to secure a 24-year-old midfielder who’d floundered at Chelsea and found his feet in Germany. Eyebrows were raised, and Merson, a former Arsenal star turned outspoken analyst, was among the loudest skeptics. “I think Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne are pathetically overpriced,” he declared, zeroing in on De Bruyne’s £54.5 million tag. “They have spent £54.5m on De Bruyne – and he’s a player they don’t really need. That position wasn’t on their hit-list.” To Merson, it was a baffling splurge, a luxury buy for a squad already brimming with talent. He even speculated that Samir Nasri, a key figure at the time, would be sidelined—a prediction that missed the mark as De Bruyne carved out his own indelible space.
Fast forward to today, and the numbers tell a story Merson couldn’t have foreseen. Over 400 appearances, 106 goals, 174 assists—these aren’t just stats; they’re the heartbeat of a dynasty. De Bruyne’s vision, his pinpoint passes threading through defenses like a needle through silk, have powered City to six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and a cabinet full of domestic honors. That “pathetically overpriced” signing turned into one of the shrewdest investments in football history, a player who didn’t just fill a role but redefined it. “He’s a player they don’t really need” became a punchline as De Bruyne proved indispensable, a linchpin in Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine.
Merson’s take wasn’t entirely baseless at the time. De Bruyne’s stint at Chelsea had been a flop—nine appearances, no goals, a quiet exit to Wolfsburg for £18 million. His resurgence in the Bundesliga hinted at potential, but £54.5 million was a leap of faith few saw paying off so spectacularly. Merson wasn’t alone in his doubts; the transfer raised questions across the football sphere. Yet, where others saw risk, City saw reward. “I like the signing of Fabian Delph, but I think Sterling and De Bruyne are pathetically overpriced,” Merson added, giving a nod to a more modest acquisition while dismissing the blockbuster moves. Delph became a useful squad player, but De Bruyne? He ascended to a level where comparisons to Scholes, Giggs, and Bergkamp feel apt, not forced.
The irony deepens when you consider Merson’s grading of City’s transfer window—a B-minus, tempered by the “money they had to pay.” That grade looks laughable now, as De Bruyne’s contributions dwarfed the fee, turning millions into memories of title-clinching assists and long-range screamers. His announcement this week that he’ll leave City as a free agent marks the end of an era, but also a chance to marvel at how wrong the naysayers got it. From the moment he stepped onto the Etihad pitch, De Bruyne silenced doubters with every flick, every goal, every trophy. Nasri, whom Merson thought would suffer, departed in 2017, while De Bruyne stayed and soared.
Reflecting on this, it’s a lesson in football’s unpredictability. Merson, a seasoned pro with a keen eye, saw a gamble where City saw genius. His words, once bold and biting, now echo as a humorous footnote to De Bruyne’s brilliance. The Belgian didn’t just prove his worth—he redefined value in the modern game, blending artistry with efficiency in a way that left rivals reeling and fans in awe. As he prepares to bid farewell, the £54.5 million price tag feels like a steal, a bargain for a player who delivered far more than anyone, least of all Merson, could have imagined. What was “pathetically overpriced” in 2015 is, in 2025, hilariously underappreciated—a legacy that turned a pundit’s scorn into a decade-long laugh.
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