Just over 12 months ago, Manchester City made Kevin De Bruyne their club record signing, and Robbie Savage was somewhat critical of the Belgian.
There were one or two raised eyebrows when Manchester City spent £55 million to bring Kevin De Bruyne to the Etihad from Wolfsburg last summer, particularly from those who do not watch a lot of Bundesliga football.
Many saw it as an extortionate amount of money to pay for a Chelsea cast-off who’d had just one outstanding season in Germany.
Robbie Savage was one man who called out the transfer, stating “I wouldn’t pay to watch Kevin De Bruyne.” Twelve months on, and the former Blackburn midfielder may have been made to look a bit silly.
Robbie Savage said he wouldn’t pay to watch KDB
De Bruyne had a very good debut season for Manchester City, settling quickly into life back in the Premier League and often coming up trumps when his team needed him most.
He ended the campaign with 16 goals to his name, the same tally he achieved in his last season at Wolfsburg.
The Belgian has made a bright start to the 2016/17 season as well, capped off by a virtuoso performance in the Manchester derby which saw him named as the games Man of the Match.
Kevin De Bruyne scores Manchester City’s first goal against Manchester United
De Bruyne was named the Etihad Player of the Month three times last season, and ultimately picked up the Etihad Player of the Year award too.
With great athleticism, vision, movement and the ability to score prolifically from midfield, few would question De Bruyne’s inclusion in any discussion regarding the very best players in the Premier League.
A very complete footballer, De Bruyne is not just highly effective, but also a joy to watch, making Savage’s claim from just under 12 months ago seem somewhat wide of the mark.
Kevin De Bruyne will be hoping he can continue to improve under Pep Guardiola
Drifting from flank to flank, De Bruyne was a constant thorn in Manchester United’s side, giving both Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw a torrid time.
It was De Bruyne whose quick thinking led to Manchester City’s first goal, and the second came from a De Bruyne assist, as his shot hit the post before falling to Kelechi Iheanacho for a tap-in.
Manchester City face Borussia Monchengladbach tomorrow night in the Champions League group stages, and Man City fans will be hoping KDB & co will be able to replicate the performance they put in against their Manchester rivals against the German outfit.
Is Kevin De Bruyne a player you would pay to watch?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
