The latest Manchester derby by Kevin de Bruyne ended with a draw in the 0-0 draw in Old Trafford on Sunday – but the emblematic midfielder of the city was hailed as one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League by Sky Sports Experts after the full -time whistle.
The Belgian, 33, announced earlier this week that he would leave City at the end of the season, pulling the curtain over a decade fate in which he redefined the art of midfielder in English football.
His figures speak for themselves. De Bruyne recorded 118 first league assists – a total improved only by Ryan Giggs – and has the best minutes by Essiste in the history of competition, establishing a goal every 177 minutes.
He was directly involved in a goal or a help every 111 minutes of his career in the Premier League, sheltering him from other big people like Frank Lampard (175), Cesc Fabregas (164) and David Silva (157).
After the 0-0 Sunday draw against Manchester United, Gary Neville described from Bruyne as “the best player that the Premier League has ever seen in his position”.
But Roy Keane was the first to praise the Belgian maestro.
Kevin de Bruyne (Center) played in his last Manchester derby for Man City Sunday
After the match, which finished 0-0, from Bruyne was seen making fans of Man City in Old Trafford
“I think the statistics,” said Keane when he was asked what made Bruyne special. “We are sitting here today frustrated by the lack of goal action and the implementation of the ball at the back of the net. He did it as a midfielder and his assists were absolutely fantastic.
“I think he made everything easy. When he is in possession, he always seems to have total control. Of course, it was difficult for the year or the last two people with injuries. But when he was at his peak, I think as well as any midfielder in the Premier League, especially from an attack point of view. And his statistics there, with the assists, as well as the objectives, are, I think, quite incredible.
When he was asked if De Bruyne had made his first League XI of all time, Keane replied: “I would have it in there.”
Neville went even further – confirming not only that he would choose it in a Premier League XI of all time, but describing it as the best of its role that the League has witnessed.
“He’s not your classic central midfielder or a right winger or a number 10,” said Neville. “He plays in this kind of good pocket. And the players he reminds me of when I look at him are David Beckham and Steven Gerrard in terms of the cross he puts. And these players are among the best players we have ever seen in the Premier League.
“Kevin de Bruyne would also be in my Premier League XI of all time. I think he has been the best player in the Premier League for the past seven or eight years. And he puts crosses in a box that means that the defenders do not know if it is really necessary to touch it, leave it, because it is in an area by which it is so dangerous between you and the goalkeeper.
“You know exactly what he’s going to do. It is predictable, in fact, in terms of reading. Beckham and Gerrard too. But the problem is that you can still do nothing because the precision and precision are so good. He is an absolute world class player. And delivery for me is something every time I looked at it, was just a thing of beauty.
Neville continued: “This statistic of the minutes by goal, 111, is so much larger than the others if you look at it. This contribution to games is incredible. Kevin de Bruyne played in this right channel, completely methodical. However, if the team needed it, then he would widen and go up on the ball and make crosses in the box.
Explaining on Sky Sports on Sunday, Gary Neville praised Bruyne as a large League
The former MAN United midfielder Roy Keane, was also full of praise for the legend of the city of Bruyne
“And it would always be this player who would do what the team needed to win a match. I always felt that he was a difference manufacturer. While the players you mentioned – David Silva and Yaya Toure – incredible players, but they were not manufacturers of difference, like de Bruyne. They could have an impact on the game, but from Bruyne would win City so many games. The pressure he exerted with his crosses and passes was incredible.
Neville spoke after the former defender of the city Micah Richards, who played alongside Toure and Silva, said: “ I thought it was the best players. David Silva was more a tactile technician, the ball is deep and playing through the lines. Yaya Toure was so good on the ball, he could explode forward and play a pass. But Kevin de Bruyne, his figures are only different sauce. What a player he was. An absolute legend.
De Bruyne confirmed his imminent departure in an emotional letter published via social media on Friday, writing: “Dear Manchester, seeing this, you probably realize where it goes. So I’m going to get there directly and let you know that it will be my last months as a Manchester City player.
“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as a football players, we all know that this day ends up coming. This day is there, and you deserve to hear it first.
“Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Hunting this dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people … gave me everything. I had no choice but to return everything! And guess what – we have won everything.
“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele and I are all grateful to what this place has mean for our family. “Manchester” will forever be on the passports of our children – and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
“It will always be our house.
Micah Richards said about Bruyne, 33: “What a player he was. An absolute legend ‘
“We cannot thank the city, the club, the staff, the teammates, the friends and the family enough for this 10 -year journey.
“Each story ends, but it was certainly the best chapter.
“Let’s take advantage of these last moments together!”
“Lots of love, KDB.
Summarizing Sunday evening, Neville said: “He did everything you could ask for the Premier League. He’s just at the top.