Manchester City: De Bruyne can become world's best under Pep
Manchester City’s club record signing Kevin De Bruyne has all the promise of becoming one of the world’s best under Guardiola.
The Belgian ace is rapidly asserting himself as Manchester City‘s standout player thus far this season.
A £55 million acquisition from VFL Wolfsburg last summer, De Bruyne has notched 18 goals and 16 assists in 48 games for the Blues.
Guardiola has compared the ex-Chelsea man to former charge Lionel Messi: “Messi is on a table on his own. No-one else is allowed. But the table beside, Kevin can sit there.”
Whilst the playmaker may not reach the heights of the five time Ballon d’Or winner, there is no reason that De Bruyne can’t reach establish himself amongst the world’s best.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City (L) celebrates scoring his sides third goal with Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City (R) during the Premier League match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The former German Footballer of the Year winner is flourishing is his freer role in Guardiola’s system. Allowed to dictate the tempo of the game, De Bruyne is the puppet-master in the Manchester City midfield.
A wonderful partnership with the equally-talented David Silva is emerging. Naturally, comparisons have been drawn between the pair and the one-time Barcelona partnership of Xavi and Iniesta.
De Bruyne enjoyed a stellar debut season last term. Although his progress was curtailed by injury as the season wore on.
Should he stay fit, there is no reason the Belgian ace can’t push for individual titles.
BBC Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer has long lauded the attacking ace:
“Without the ball he is very good; with the ball he is just superb. He starts a lot of moves off and is so clever. He is so comfortable, so in control. He started so many good things for them.
“It’s absolutely superb from De Bruyne. He sees a picture before everyone else, he is a second or two ahead of everyone on that pitch.”
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
De Bruyne has everything to reach a similar level to the likes of former Spain star Xavi, if not surpass the ex-Barca legend.
Still only 25, the Belgium international has just as much ability to control a game with his inch-perfect passing and spectacular vision. However, unlike Xavi, De Bruyne is also a regular goal threat.
A master set-piece taker, as seen during the weekend win at AFC Bournemouth, De Bruyne has notched double-figures in goals for the past few seasons.
As Guardiola continues to build his side around the creative talents of De Bruyne, it is evident that the 25-year-old is only flourishing under the added pressure.
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