Kevin De Bruyne shrugs off Zlatan tag but admits he’s in form of his life despite Man City struggles
KEVIN DE BRUYNE believes he is in the form of his life — despite Manchester City’s disappointing title defence. The Belgian has put his injury woes behind him and been a shining light for Pep Guardiola’s team. KDB’s performances have drawn comparisons with French legend Zinedine Zidane, the man who will try to knock City […]
KEVIN DE BRUYNE believes he is in the form of his life — despite Manchester City’s disappointing title defence.
The Belgian has put his injury woes behind him and been a shining light for Pep Guardiola’s team.
KDB’s performances have drawn comparisons with French legend Zinedine Zidane, the man who will try to knock City out of the Champions League in his job as Real Madrid boss.
Midfielder De Bruyne, 28, shrugs off such suggestions — though he does believe he is at the right club where he can continue to prosper for years to come.
And that is a huge boost for the Etihad fans, who have seen hopes of a third straight Prem crown blown away by Liverpool.
Asked about the similarities to Zidane, KDB said: “I don’t know about that.
“It’s nice when people say this kind of stuff, it means I am doing good and that’s about it.
“Maybe yes, I am playing my best football but it’s so difficult.
“It depends how you look at football. If you look at my football in general, as a complete player, I probably am.
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“But some people like more the purity of football, some people like the statistics. It doesn’t matter. I feel good, I feel I can help my team.”
Plenty has happened to De Bruyne since he made his full City debut in September 2015 against tomorrow’s opponents West Ham.
He scored that day but suffered a surprise and rare defeat to the Hammers.
Since then he has won six major trophies, with the Champions League all that is missing.
KDB told Sport360: “I feel comfortable here because I’m happy here.
“I play at one of the best teams in the world, one of the best leagues in the world. My family is settled, my kids are happy. So it makes it more comfortable.
“If one of these things wasn’t in place it would give you stress but I don’t have that stress at the moment. I feel relaxed and I feel I can focus on what I need to do to be ready.”
When David Silva leaves in the summer, the City captaincy will once again be up for grabs.
De Bruyne was in the frame last year after Vincent Kompany departed and will almost certainly be this time around.
He has led by example during the good times and the bad and hopes his younger team-mates can learn from him.
The former Chelsea player said: “That’s how I play. I still have a lot of energy and I think it’s important for the way we play.
“We play pressing and if I give the example the team will follow. That’s the only thing I believe.
“Now I’m like one of the older players and you have to set the example.
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“The way you play on the pitch shows what the intentions are.
“Everyone makes mistakes, nobody is perfect, but I always try to do the things I need to do. I know the young guys will follow.
“I think it’s the right way to show yourself as a professional and help the team, to help push them as winners.” And City still have plenty to play for.
They face Aston Villa in next month’s Carabao Cup final, aiming to win it for a third successive year, and play Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 either side of Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round.
Dad-of-two De Bruyne said: “If you want to play for a team like City then you want to win.
“I think it’s something I had always. I was even worse when I was younger — I always wanted to win and think about it more after the game.
“Before you had family of your own, it was just football. Now sometimes it’s easier to deal with.
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“If you lose a game or play badly, then you go home and see your kids and it’s a different feeling.”
City have had to get used to that feeling more this season — yet despite six league defeats he does not feel that much has changed.
He added: “We work very hard and know other teams are really good. If you do what you have to do and lose, sometimes that’s just the way it is.”