City’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Thursday evening meant the back-to-back Champions surrendered the league crown to Liverpool.
Yet, the Belgian, who starred with another impressive display at Stamford Bridge – bagging a sensational 30-yard free-kick to equalise – was naturally disappointed but called for perspective, switching his focus to the two other competitions on offer: the FA Cup and Champions League.
Having already lifted the Carabao Cup for a third successive year, De Bruyne stood defiant, asserting his side can still make history with a glittering, trophy-laden campaign.
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“I think we have still got big chances in the FA Cup and Champions League,” he said.
“Imagine if we come out after winning these cups… it will be an unbelievable season! We have got a lot to play for and look forward to it.
“I think in comparison with a lot of other teams we are doing alright.
“We are still second so that means after Liverpool, we are the second-best team.
“We knew it was impossible [to catch them after lockdown]. You are always disappointed when you don’t win but I think we are honest enough to say Liverpool were better this year.
“I think we worked really hard, we played really well but we weren’t good enough and that’s no problem for us to admit.
“[Against Chelsea] I think we made some mistakes and to make mistakes against a team like Chelsea is not the best.
“After the mistakes, they scored the goals – that’s it. We didn’t play badly but at the end of the day, too many mistakes cost us.
“If everything goes to plan for us then I think we still have 13 or 14 games so we still have a lot to play for and a lot of objectives.
“We are going to play the games and try to win the games. I think we are professionals and we need these games to get more physique, to get more rhythm, to get more intensity and it will be very important to keep focused.
“Obviously, with all the objectives that we still have, there is no time for us to get down and we will take the games seriously.
“I think we have always shown we will be good professionals.”
Despite the defeat at Stamford Bridge, De Bruyne wrote his name into the history books once again, bagging his 10th league goal of the season to reach double figures for goals and assists for the first time in his Premier League career.
Totalling 16 assists, the Belgian has now been directly involved in 26 goals in 29 league games, marking the 2019/20 campaign as his most prolific so far.
However, ever humble, the midfield maestro insists he only has eyes for team success rather than individual acclaim.
“I never have any (personal targets),” he added.
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“I try to help my team win the game and that’s the main thing.
“What comes after is alright but statistics are not the main importance.
“It is not me who decides (on individual awards). Two years ago, I was second and we won the title 20 points ahead so I don’t know how people decide.
“I think I have a chance. It is not me who decides and I think I can make my own analysis of how this season has gone. Whatever you get in the end is nice but we will see.
“I try to help my team win titles and whatever happens afterwards for me, I will take it in my stride.”
