De Bruyne: Title campaign more important than big anti-climax
BY JOHN CROSS THE journey took 250 days yet the celebrations lasted only an hour.
That is midfielder Kevin de Bruyne’s assessment of Manchester City’s title-winning campaign but he says playing in the success story was far more enjoyable than any party.
It started in August and ended in the second week of April but de Bruyne insists City have proved they are the best team in England’s top flight – despite their Champions League disappointment.
City have sent records tumbling with their 18-game winning run in the Premier League and are focused on beating Chelsea’s title-winning points tally of 95 set in 2005.
But de Bruyne and his City team-mates have also thrilled the Premier League with their style of play and that is what they will remember rather than the celebrations after being crowned champions.
De Bruyne said: “I have enjoyed the whole season. Sometimes the journey is better than the end.
“It’s a quick moment of enjoyment, when you look back it’s been a great season. The team’s been great, everybody has done their part, then you have to feel happy I think.
“It’s not always the end result, okay it’s the most important, but in the end you live 250 days to enjoy an hour, maybe a few days.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
“It fills you with happiness but we still need to enjoy the whole journey.”
De Bruyne has been the shining light in a team filled with standout performers and that is why the City midfielder is going toe to toe with Liverpool’s Mo Salah to be crowned Player of the Year.
Salah has scored 40 goals for Liverpool and yet no one can surely argue it has been de Bruyne who has made City tick this season.
His midfield performances have driven City on, earned Pep Guardiola the plaudits of having the most entertaining team in the Premier League and of course won them two trophies.
City ended up being crowned champions because United lost and yet de Bruyne insists no one will remember that – just the fact they won the title.
He added: “It maybe feels different when you’re on the pitch but in the end nobody will care about that.”