Nunez will give ‘ em Ell!
‘KDB’S PERFECT FOR TREBLE 2’
BY THE return of talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is perfect for Manchester City in their pursuit of perfection, says former Blues boss Brian Horton.
City are on an incredible 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions and brimming with confidence after winning the Club World Cup.
And Horton believes having De Bruyne (below) back is a huge bonus in their quest to make history and become the first team to win a Treble in successive seasons.
“You just can’t see them losing at the moment, can you?” said Horton, who managed the Blues between 1993-1995.
“And now De Bruyne is back, what a player to have for the rest of the season!
“He’s one of the best midfielders in the world, he’s just got everything.
“It’s mind-blowing really how good he is – and that says a lot because Manchester City have had some fantastic midfielders. I was always a massive fan of Fernandinho, a fabulous player. But De Bruyne can do it all – his vision, his passing, his goals. “He’s a wonderful player, but not only that, he just seems like a really nice guy. He doesn’t act like a superstar, he’s not big-headed and is very humble. “To be honest, I could say that about most of the City team, there are no egos in their team and Pep Guardiola has built a real togetherness in that group. “They’re still hungry to win things, which says a lot given what they achieved last season winning the Treble.” Horton, whose career as a player and manager encompassed more than 2,000 professional games, has watched with delight as City have bounced back from a blip of three defeats in four games in late September and early October to get their season back on track. And, with De Bruyne having made an immediate impact following a five-month lay-off with a hamstring injury, Horton expects the Blues to be fired up for even more silverware. Ahead of today’s crunch clash with title rivals Liverpool, Horton (below) added: “De Bruyne eased his way back in against Newcastle. “His assist and his goal were brilliant – and City were just sublime in that second half. And that was only his first game back from a long-term injury. “David Pleat rang me during that match and said it was perfect football, which is some compliment coming from a football man like him. “And Erling Haaland is back as well. It’s just incredible the wealth of the talent these days. I’m not much of a betting man, but I said last season I thought they’d win the Treble. “I should have put a bet on it, but who’s to say they won’t do it again this year? With De Bruyne and Haaland back, they’ve certainly got a very good chance – they look hungry for it.”