Kevin De Bruyne Underlines His Status as One of Europe's Finest in Man City Win
Pep Guardiola is revolutionising English football, and there must now be genuine concern among the rest of the Premier League about whether they can keep up.
Manchester City’s latest victory, a 4-0 battering of Bournemouth on Saturday that was even more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, saw them overwhelm their opponents with a masterclass in aggressive, attacking football. City dominated the ball, were more inventive in possession, and in Kevin de Bruyne, they had the best player on the pitch. It became clear soon after kick-off that Bournemouth had little chance of taking anything away from the game.
It’s now eight wins from eight, which represents the best start to a season in City’s history. Five of those have come in the Premier League, and they have established a lead over their rivals already. It’s all been done with remarkable ease, and not because their opponents have been poor, but because their performance level is currently so high. They're the first top-flight club to win their first eight games of the season in all competitions since Chelsea in 2005.
“Numbers are numbers,” Guardiola said of the impressive statistics that underline the great start his side have made. “And the record will be another one when we beat it.”
"Pep Guardiola is the 2nd manager to win his opening 5 PL games (other was Carlo Ancelotti who won his opening 6) #PL pic.twitter.com/uoJPT1i2dZ
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 17, 2016"
It’s remarkable how far City have come in such a short space of time under Guardiola’s watch. It shouldn’t be forgotten he inherited a squad that had struggled to a disappointing fourth-place finish last season, qualifying for the Champions League play-off round by the finest of margins ahead of a poor Manchester United side.
In the space of two-and-a-half months, the regression has been sharply reversed by a manager whose ideas and enthusiasm for football have reinvigorated the players. At times, their displays have been breathtaking, and there’s room for further improvement.
One of City’s best players last season was De Bruyne—but even he has found a new level under Guaridola. It’s perhaps no exaggeration to say he is the best player in the Premier League right now. The quality of his decision-making and the precision of his passing, which is almost always perfectly weighted, make him the most potent, well-rounded attacking force in the division.
There’s little he can’t do. He’s quick, intelligent and technically gifted. He floats in dangerous areas and exploits space with his wonderful ability to provide for his team-mates. Bournemouth couldn’t get near him for long periods, and he had a major hand in all of City’s goals.
“I think he is a special player—an outstanding player," Guardiola said. "He makes everything. Without the ball he’s the first fighter, and with the ball it’s clear he sees absolutely everything. He decides what he has to do in the right moment every single time.
“Sometimes you have to pass with the first touch, sometimes you have to control. Sometimes you have to attack the ball. Every time he makes the right decision.
“I am lucky, we are happy. Hopefully he can enjoy with us to play his amazing football.”
The Belgian, 25, is also a true professional, a player in search of perfection. He lives a simple life, centred around his family, and club insiders have been taken aback by his character and willingness to fulfil media obligations. City haven’t just signed one of the most talented players in the game, they have on their hands one who is easy to manage—a dream for any coach.
“I don’t know him too much,” Guardiola admitted afterwards. “But from my point of view he is a guy who likes to be at home, with his beautiful wife, his kids. He loves training, he loves to play. Before the game he is relaxed, quiet.
“He is one of the best, that is not in doubt. Maybe I am wrong, but I think he would like to win the individual prizes. But I think he is happy when he can play a performance like today.”
Guardiola, who has managed two all-star teams at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, says De Bruyne is one of the best players he’s coached.
“He is one of them,” he said. “Messi can sit alone in the table, it’s not allowed anyone else. But in the table beside, Kevin can sit there, there’s no doubt.”
De Bruyne scored the first, a clever free-kick that bamboozled Artur Boruc, to set City on their way. He then produced a wonderful through ball to release the outstanding Raheem Sterling, who squared brilliantly for Kelechi Iheanacho to tap home—his 10th goal from 14 shots on target in the Premier League. In the build-up to City's third, De Bruyne set Iheanacho free, with the Nigerian squaring for Sterling to score, before adding a superb assist for Ilkay Gundogan’s first goal for the club to make it four.
It was one of the best individual displays at the Etihad Stadium in a long time.
With his side in complete control, Guardiola took the opportunity to rest the player who had seen the most action and introduce a youngster, Aleix Garcia, into the game. It’s in circumstances such as this a young player can express themselves. Garcia’s passing was superb, and he always wanted the ball, offering himself to Claudio Bravo on a number of occasions in a bid to start attacks from deep. Guardiola will no doubt have been impressed.
Nolito’s red card was a sour note. There were just a few minutes left, City were in cruise control and the push by Adam Smith that angered the Spaniard was hardly aggressive. He moved his head towards Smith's in aggressive fashion and was rightly dismissed. It was a stupid decision by a player in fine form, and with competition for places so fierce, he will be concerned about winning his place back in the side once his three-game ban is over.
"Five games, 22 goals… Here’s how it went down on a lively day in the #PL pic.twitter.com/2PLmzzizyS
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 17, 2016"
“The referee saw it, and we have to accept the decision, the same way we accept what happened with Aguero," Guardiola said in diplomatic fashion afterwards.
"Tired but happy! 👍✌😉 Now I'm on my way back home ... #win #firstGoal #thankyouforyoursupport @mancity @premierleague pic.twitter.com/aUL9UTZSNj
— Ilkay Gündogan (@Guendogan8) September 17, 2016"
Something special is building at City. Guardiola, one of the game’s great thinkers, is shaping a special side. The Manchester United treble-winning side, Arsenal’s invincibles and the first Jose Mourinho incarnation at Chelsea were all special teams, but City have a chance now to leave their own special mark on English football.
City fans should be excited. The next three years could be the greatest in the club’s history.
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
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