After moving to Manchester City this summer for a club-record $80 million, Kevin de Bruyne is proving his worth.
In 18 matches for City, the Belgian has scored nine goals and assisted on eight more. Thanks to De Bruyne’s stellar play, the club sits top of the Premier League, is in the semifinal of the League Cup, and has advanced out of the group stage in the Champions League.
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While De Bruyne has become an instant fan-favorite at the Etihad, he has also earned the praise of his teammates, including fellow summer-signing Raheem Sterling.
After playing with Luis Suarez at Liverpool, Sterling said De Bruyne has a similar impact in the side to Suarez, able to score or create goals any time he touches the ball.
Every top team needs a player who scores and assists goals so regularly as Kevin does. That’s what big players do and we’re happy to have him at this football club.
With Suarez, once he got in and around the box, you knew what he was capable of doing. Usually it ended with a goal. It’s the same with Kevin. He looks for other players. Look at the assists he’s got already, and he’s got goals in him regularly as well.
While Suarez is thought of as a more natural goalscorer, De Bruyne’s nine goals in 18 matches for City has proven the Belgian is much more than just a playmaker.
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De Bruyne set a Bundesliga record with 21 assists last season at Wolfsburg, but now playing alongside the likes of David Silva in the midfield, he has more freedom to take chances himself. Still so early in his City career, De Bruyne is proving to be well worth the price tag.
