De Bruyne is second only to Lionel Messi, claims Guardiola

Mark Scott
Kevin De Bruyne: 'Among the best players in the world'

Kevin De Bruyne: 'Among the best players in the world'

Man City boss Pep Guardiola feels Kevin de Bruyne is bettered only by Lionel Messi in world football after purring over his display in the 4-0 win against Bournemouth.

The Belgian opened the scoring in another impressive display by the Citizens, who have now won their opening five Premier League games.

“We are so lucky that we have Kevin de Bruyne with us,” Guardiola told reporters. “It was a fantastic performance.

“He is a special player, without the ball he’s the first fighter, with the ball he’s clear, he sees everything, he decides what he has to do and he makes the right decision.”

De Bruyne now has 18 goals and 16 assists in 48 games for the Blues, who have begun the season with a club-record eight successive wins in all competitions.

Guardiola added: “Messi is on a table on his own. No-one else is allowed. But the table beside, Kevin can sit there.”

Guardiola was delighted with the win after coming through an awkward midweek with a re-arranged game and also wants his team to be strong when the inevitable defeat does come.

He added: “It’s important we won a game after a Champions League game, it’s always tough. The Champions League is demanding on our physical condition.”

I know we will lose (at some point) and the important thing is when that happens we are stable, just like we’re stable now. We need that humble attitude.