Player Focus: De Bruyne Making Immediate Impact Upon Premier League Return

Looking back to Manchester City’s 6-1 thumping of Newcastle on Saturday, one was not surprised to see Sergio Agüero draw the plaudits from fans. The Argentine’s five-goal haul in the space of 20 minutes - albeit with half time sandwiched in between - was the fastest in Premier League history. Agüero had just nine touches in that time to put the Magpies backline to the sword on an afternoon where he was rightly awarded the WhoScored man of the match award having gained a rating of 10. 

It wasn’t just Agüero who secured a perfect 10 in the demolition job though, with Kevin De Bruyne also achieving the feat. The Belgian signed for City at the end of August in what was a lengthy transfer saga that ultimately culminated in the Citizens parting with a club-record £55m to secure the 24-year-old’s services. That isn’t to say the Premier League favourites overspent on De Bruyne. The Belgium international registered more assists (20) than any other player in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season, while only Arjen Robben (8.45) gained a better WhoScored rating than the former Wolfsburg star (7.95) in the Bundesliga last season. 

The German outfit were understandably keen to retain the services of their creator-in-chief, but once City made their interest clear; Wolfsburg were always likely to struggle to hold onto De Bruyne. After a less than impressive spell with Chelsea - De Bruyne made only three league appearances for the Blues before being loaned and subsequently sold to Die Wölfe - he was keen to prove a point to his former employers in the Premier League. In such a short space of time, the creative star has begun to do just that. 

At the time of writing, only David Silva (8.04) has gained a better WhoScored rating than De Bruyne (7.93) of all City players. The latter has quickly readjusted to the rigours of English football following his time in Germany, having netted three goals and assisted a further two in England’s top tier this term. The playmaker has been directly involved in a goal in four of his last five competitive appearances for City. 

Any concerns over whether he would fit into the attacking system under Manuel Pellegrini have been quickly dismissed following a blistering start to life at the Etihad Stadium. Granted, the results have not been ideal - City have lost three of the seven games De Bruyne has featured in so far - but his individual displays have been impressive - defeat to Spurs aside - as his WhoScored rating suggests. 

There was a worry that he would limit Silva’s influence in the final third, but that so far has proven to be ill-founded, though the duo have made just three appearances together, with the thumping of Newcastle the first time De Bruyne and the Spaniard have started a league game in the same XI. While victory over the Magpies is hardly a telling indicator as to whether the duo will impress alongside Raheem Sterling in City’s attacking triumvirate given their woeful Premier League form, it offered a glimpse into how effective a pairing De Bruyne and Silva can be. 

David Silva has been directly involved in a Premier League goal more frequently (1 goal every 59.9 minutes) than any other player to contribute to three or more league goals this season. De Bruyne (1 goal every 67 minutes) is second on that list. Of all City players to register at least 250 minutes of Premier League action, only Silva (every 24.7 minutes) is playing a key pass more frequently than De Bruyne (25.8 minutes).

Furthermore, it’s the Spaniard once more who is playing a successful pass in the final third more regularly (1 every 2.5 minutes) of those to register at least 250 minutes of top-flight action this term. De Bruyne podiums in third (2.9 minutes) with Arsenal’s Mesut Özil (2.8 minutes) sandwiched between the City pairing. 

Of course, there remains a concern that Silva and De Bruyne will encroach on other another’s area in the final third given the duo’s inclination to play in more central areas. Both thrive playing behind the striker, but given Silva’s form thus far; his position in the number 10 role is not expected to come under threat from his new teammate anytime soon. Against teams such as Newcastle, De Bruyne’s insistence on cutting inside is unlikely to be exploited, but against better teams; City could come unstuck with the lack of protection afforded to the right-back. 

Given Aleksandar Kolarov’s tendency to press forward at any possible opportunity, with Fernandinho or Fernando expected to cover for the Serbian, this opens up the possibility for the Citizens to be caught out on their right flank, with De Bruyne excepted to line up on that side of the offensive trio behind Agüero. If the Belgian can maintain a form of positional discipline and carry out his defensive responsibilities - a WhoScored weakness of De Bruyne’s is ‘defensive contribution’ - Pellegrini can lay claim to the argument he has at his control the most effective attack in the Premier League. 

This may limit his offensive influence, but the player’s adaptability and quality in the final third means this is unlikely to hinder his overall impact. Most fans breathed a huge sigh of relief once the De Bruyne transfer saga finally came to a head at the end of August, such were the column inches filled surrounding the transfer. The move, though, is quickly proving to be worth the wait and hefty fee, such has been the Belgian’s immediate impact for City in their quest to land their third Premier League title.

Can Kevin De Bruyne maintain his flying start to life at the Etihad Stadium? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below