There’s no doubting Kevin De Bruyne is an amazingly talented player. But so far in his Manchester City career he hasn’t had that sensational year that separates him from the rest and has him winning major club and individual honours.

That could all change this season as long at the Belgian maestro manages to stay clear of injuries.

In his first season he only managed to make twenty two starts, while last term he made ten more starts for the Citizens. That run of extra games saw him supply eighteen assists, which was double the nine he made in 2015/16.

His eye for a pass and his ability to craft that pass into a goalscoring opportunity for a teammate is sensational. No other player in the English Premier League created more assists than De Bruyne last year.

Yet he still seems to find himself in fellow Belgium international Eden Hazard’s shadow.

I think that’s because you can directly attribute the Chelsea man’s form with his club winning the Premier League trophy (on two occasions). City have failed to secure the top flight crown in England whilst Kevin has been at the Etihad.

Hazard also scores more and seems to have that knack of dictating big, important fixtures.

At twenty-six years of age, De Bruyne is coming into his peak years. It’s true he needs to add more goals to his game and he needs to be the conductor that helps bring the league title back to the blue half of Manchester.

Hs six goals during the last campaign wasn’t good enough. He might suggest that his eighteen assists show he’s unselfishly creating for others instead of scoring himself but I still think he can be more ruthless in front of goal.

To that end De Bruyne might also ask for more attacking duties. City boss Pep Guardiola often used the playmaker in a deeper role and that may have frustrated his main creative talent.

Guardiola has brought an exciting style of football to Manchester and De Bruyne should continue to thrive under the Spaniard’s guidance.

Pep has stated his admiration for the Belgian on more than one occasion:

“I think he is a special player — an outstanding player.”

“He makes everything. Without the ball he’s the first fighter, and with the ball it’s clear he sees absolutely everything. He decides what he has to do in the right moment every single time.”

Pep wants to keep De Bruyne happy as he believes that will give him a consistently brilliant star.

With the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in front of him, Kevin knows that he has two strikers at the club that will put away whatever chances he provides them. If he can add goals to his game and can take important games by the scruff of the neck then he might be unstoppable next season!

Priced at a lowly 20/1 by some bookies to become player of the year, it might be worth sticking some money of the Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

Posted on July 31st, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article