Manchester City is once again leading the Premier League, and much of the credit goes to Erling Haaland, who has already scored two hat-tricks this season. Yet, the Norwegian striker is quick to praise the “man behind the curtain,” Kevin De Bruyne. In Haaland’s own words: “I know I’m getting the perfect pass. Not to say other players aren’t great, but with him, you just know the ball will come.” The charm of De Bruyne’s precision is undeniable, and even a quick glance at the stats proves his value: De Bruyne is the only player in Europe’s top five leagues to have created more than 20 big chances this year (24), and his 11 Premier League assists are the most during this period.
A Perfect Partner for Finishers
De Bruyne is the dream partner for any striker, so much so that Haaland jokes he’d be willing to “live with De Bruyne on a deserted island.” The Belgian midfielder’s admirers include football legends like Seedorf, Henry, Lampard, Cafu, Kane, Klopp, and even rising star Yamal, who admitted he hopes to play alongside De Bruyne one day. While personal biases may fuel some of this praise, the rankings from 442 lend De Bruyne additional credibility. Before the new season kicked off, the publication ranked him as the best midfielder in Premier League history, ahead of icons like Gerrard and Lampard.
A Smart Investment Turned Into Gold
When City splashed €76 million to bring De Bruyne in from Wolfsburg in 2015, the British press mocked the move, branding it as “City paying a record fee for Chelsea’s reject.” Nine years later, the deal has proven to be a masterstroke. With six Premier League titles, four Premier League Assist King titles, and two Premier League Player of the Year awards, De Bruyne has cemented himself as a Premier League legend. City, meanwhile, can proudly proclaim, “Manchester is blue,” and bask in the glory of their treble-winning campaign.
Resilience Born from Struggles
While De Bruyne’s story is one of success, it wasn’t always easy. His struggles at Chelsea, where he became the sixth-choice midfielder, could have derailed his career, but instead, they became the fuel for his comeback. De Bruyne’s tenacity was clear even at 19, when he wasn’t afraid to criticize senior teammates for laziness. It was this leadership quality, combined with his willingness to ask for a transfer from Chelsea, that ultimately saved his career. De Bruyne didn’t wait for success; he fought for it.
Consistent Performer in Big Matches
In recent seasons, De Bruyne’s ability to deliver in big matches has been nothing short of remarkable. In the 2021-22 season alone, he scored against Manchester United, Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. He even netted four goals against Wolves. The 2022-23 season saw him continue this trend, as he tormented Dortmund, United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. While Haaland may be the goal-scoring machine, De Bruyne’s consistent brilliance in key moments is the hallmark of a true superstar. His only misfortune? Injuring himself in yet another Champions League final—a bittersweet reminder of his “perfect imperfection.”
The Future of De Bruyne at City
At 33, De Bruyne remains indispensable to City’s success. Despite being tempted by lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, De Bruyne has chosen to stay at City, saying, “I believe we’ll negotiate with City. I just want to feel good and play great football.” It’s rumored that City is already preparing a new contract for their midfield maestro. While it’s uncertain if De Bruyne will end his career at City, for now, his presence is an irreplaceable asset to Pep Guardiola’s side. Without De Bruyne, City’s machine wouldn’t run quite as smoothly—a testament to his enduring value.
Copyright Notice:
Datavictory copyrights this specification. No part of this specification may be reproduced in any form or means, without the prior written consent of Datavictory.
Link:
