What Is Kevin De Bruyne's Best Position for Manchester City?

When Kevin De Bruyne signed for Manchester City from Wolfsburg in the summer, there were a number of eyebrows raised at the £54 million fee the Blues parted with to secure his signature.

How could such a large sum of money be justified for a player deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea 18 months earlier? Surely Jose Mourinho, one of the best judges of a player’s ability, wouldn’t have let him leave for just £18 million if he felt he had the capability to go on be one of the most expensive players in the world?

Any doubts evaporated quickly. A superb cameo away at Crystal Palace, which came about unexpectedly after Sergio Aguero's injury early in the game, saw him create a number of chances with his ability to play inch-perfect through balls.

City won the match thanks to a last-gasp Kelechi Iheanacho goal, and De Bruyne had announced himself as a player with the potential to make the Blues a trophy-winning side again. 

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Since then, he’s been nothing short of sensational. Six goals in his 14 games, including deft finishes and pile-drivers from outside the box. Six assists and numerous other chances created. A first touch with such a rare natural quality leaves observers in shock and awe. An ability to see the game with far more clarity than the vast majority of his peers. City, it seems, have a bargain.

It’s likely City manager Manuel Pellegrini and sporting director Txiki Begiristain see him as the heir to David Silva’s throne. The Spaniard, one of the finest No. 10s in the game, has been City’s chief orchestrator since his arrival in 2010, but De Bruyne looks to have the capability to assume that mantle eventually. With his vision and technical quality, a central role just behind the striker is where the 24-year-old would be best employed.

For now, though, the Belgian looks likely to be used in a variety of areas. He’s played in each of the three support positions behind the main striker already in his time at City, and he has even operated in a false-nine role, leading the line and bringing others into play at times when his side have been short of strikers and ideas. 

He looks equally comfortable wherever he’s been deployed, bringing the same grace and elegance to each role. If he starts out wide, he rarely stays confined to the wings, instead drifting inside to link up with team-mates in more dangerous areas. 

For the brief time De Bruyne and Silva have spent on the pitch together, they have looked tailor-made to play alongside one another. Both have a wonderful appreciation of the game and enjoy playing short passes to create space. 

In the second half against Newcastle United—a period in which City scored five goals—Silva and De Bruyne were the chief architects of the Magpies' downfall. It was a glorious insight into what Pellegrini hopes will become the norm this season. 

De Bruyne has been impressed with what he's seen from Silva, telling the official club website:

"

On the ball he is amazing.

He can do everything and dictate the tempo of a game from start to finish, so he’s a great player to have when you want to control of the game—I’d say that’s one of his best traits.

He has great vision, can find anyone with a pass and it is great to have him as a team-mate.

"

It's been a special start for De Bruyne at the Etihad Stadium. The range of positions he's played has showcased his adaptability and underlined his quality. His best position is just behind the striker, but for now he will be used across the front line in a bid to develop his game. 

Those who questioned the wisdom of spending such a significant sum of money on a player who struggled to make the grade in the Premier League less than two years ago have been left feeling somewhat foolish. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.