Pep Guardiola reckons self-starting superstar Kevin De Bruyne is getting better and better
KEVIN DE BRUYNE is the self–starting superstar who Pep Guardiola believes will only make himself better and better.
The Manchester City manager almost sounds in awe when talking about his brilliant Belgian.
Remember, this is someone who while making his reputation as the world’s best coach at Barcelona, worked with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
Not forgetting, of course, a certain Lionel Messi... yet clearly, Guardiola sees KDB as someone who ranks alongside all of them.
He points to his heart and brain to illustrate the midfielder is a man apart — one who does not need the gentle art of seduction to respond to new demands.
If anything proved Guardiola right it was last Wednesday, when De Bruyne was made captain against Real Madrid, then produced five fabulous moments to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 triumph.
In a season in which City have endured a series of missed penalties, he successfully stepped up, cool as ice, to convert the winner.
But Guardiola knows he does not need to dangle carrots in front of 28-year-old De Bruyne.
Ahead of today’s Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa, the Etihad chief said: “Honestly, with these types of player, the challenge comes from inside themselves.
“If you have to push them to be something special, they are not big, big, big.
“I don’t like players who complain. If a guy wants to be better than he already is, then it is up to him.
“I don’t believe too much in trying to seduce them to become better players. They all know what it takes to improve — so it has to come from them.
“The big things in sport always come from inside the players. Not the trainers.
"One detail all the best players have is to never complain as they know it is up to them to become better, day by day. Others make reasons why they can’t do it.
“That’s why they change clubs all the time and never end up with a top club.
“Big players always look at themselves. It’s not necessary for me to say absolutely anything about Kevin any more. I’d just say, ‘Take a look at how he plays’.
“The performance level, the continuity, influence in our final third and on our finishing, the desire, his calmness and positivity.”
Guardiola’s words underline just how much De Bruyne means to him and Man City.
The club could be facing implosion should Uefa’s two-year Champions League ban stick, with the likelihood many of the club’s top stars could be gone.
Some, like Raheem Sterling, might head out anyway - given he has always said he would like to play abroad.
And Real have made it clear they are waiting for him if he decides to head out.
Yet De Bruyne appears priceless to Pep as he discusses that 83rd-minute moment when he got it spot on in the Bernabeu.
With a look of wonder in his eyes, the City chief said: “I asked him, ‘Kevin, what did you feel before you took that penalty’ and he just said, ‘I’m going to score’.
“He doesn’t feel much pressure, he likes to play in the big events — he’s an exceptional player.
"I say to him, ‘Kevin, don’t forget, do the simple things properly’ because sometimes he’s alone and might lose the ball.
“But he’s able to see something special and is improving and improving.”
Guardiola knows before KDB delivered THAT cross for Gabriel Jesus’ equaliser against Real, the simpler option would have been a lay-off to sub Sterling.
Instead, he sent over a ‘no look’ cross. That moment, claims the Catalan, underlined the Belgian’s genius.
Guardiola added: “He crossed to Gabriel without knowing Gabriel was there — but thinking, ‘Gabriel, you have to be there’.
“That’s the best way to express the talent Kevin has. When he gets in those areas, strikers know the ball is coming.”
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But modest KDB said: “I won’t remember the season for the number of goals I scored or chances I made.
“You remember it for the trophies you won and that’s what we’re hoping to do.
“The league season hasn’t gone as we’d have liked — but we’re still in three competitions and will try to win all three.
“With so much still to play for, winning the Carabao Cup would set us up nicely for the final weeks to come.”