Micah Richards believes that Man City may make mistakes as Kevin de Bruyne is allowed to transfer free of charge, while Jamie Redknapp said Belgium International can still offer a lot in the Premier League.
Midfielder De Bruyne sent an emotional farewell to supporters after his final city in the Premier League 3-1 Premier League defeat at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
The 33-year-old's next destination is unknown, and Richards thinks he can still be a major asset for Pep Guardiola next season.
"It's not the right thing to have such a player leave for free," Richards said on Sky Sports.
“He has a lot to offer for this football club.
“I can see that he plays a deeper role, without the pressure he used to be.
"But they made the decision, and it wasn't what to be, and I hope that wherever he went, he would do what he had been doing for the past decade. He still had a lot to offer at the highest level.
"He is a superstar, an absolute superstar."
Since joining the German club Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne has scored 108 goals in 421 games.
During his 10-year stay he became the city's most successful player, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
"He made his football talk," Richards said. "He was a shy character, but I've been meeting him for years and it's great to see how modest he is, he's his great player.
"He deserves it. Everyone who plays with him talks to him and what he does in the Premier League is just a sensation."
There are football players and legendary figures. He is a legend. He is a legend in the human city and a legend in the Premier League.
Can De Bruyn stay in the Premier League?
Richards' fellow expert Jamie Redknapp labeled de bruyne as a "genius" and thought he could stay in British football after the season.
In April, Sky Sports News reported that Aston Villa discussed De Bruyne’s potential moves internally, while four MLS clubs, Inter Miami, Chicago Fire, NYCFC and DC United asked about the players’ professional and financial expectations.
Redknapp, who interviewed De Bruyne for Sky Sports on Monday, said: "I asked him, 'What's next? What do you think?' He said: "Maybe it's the Premier League, but I don't know".
"There is no category of 'absolutely not', so who knows? Because not only is he a great player, he also has a self and wants to prove himself.
"I can't wait to see what his next step is," he added. "He might play a deeper role.
"It would be fascinating because I would be surprised if there weren't a few Premier League clubs and a lot of people would be able to afford him and say 'I want him for a few years. He can still do something for us.'
“There are football players, there are legends, he is a legend – the absolute legend of this football club and the Premier League legend.
"We often use the word 'Great'; a great man cannot make him just, he is a genius."
In the picture: Debruin bids farewell to Etihad...
He'll be missed - Pep pays tribute to Kevin de Bruyne
Meanwhile, Guardiola was present when De Bruyne showed up
The city shed tears as the tribute to De Bruen on the big screen. Sergio Aguero, Mike Summerbee, Fernandinho, Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart, Riyad Mahrez and Vincent Kompany are one of the club's and former players.
Guardiola said to Sky Sports after the game: “Honestly, you won’t be able to buy it.
"What matters is the emotion for him, his family and our fans," he added. "Everyone sees how many people the City people are connected with him and his family, and how much they love.
“The title is good, he has achieved everything, but when you leave with such respect and gratitude 10 years later, there is nothing else.
“The club will make a decision and I’m part of it, but it’s a sad day and he will miss it, no doubt.”
Indeed, we felt something, and it was the day he wanted to win for him. The atmosphere has been there since we arrived.
City has sought a long-term successor interest for Florian Wirtz, but Guardiola admits filling his boots is not an easy task.
“Like Aguero, a player like this is unique, and his scoring is the most important goal in history…
"Ten years are a lot of games, a lot of champions and a lot of moments. Today I summarized how much love there is, and that's really great, really good."