SPECIAL
KEVIN DE BRUYNE has hailed Raheem Sterling as a “special player” and backed his Manchester City mate to dazzle in Russia.
The winger enjoyed his finest season in City’s Premier League title-winning campaign, netting 23 goals for Pep Guardiola’s rampant record-breaking side.
Sterling travelled to the World Cup full of confidence with de Bruyne convinced the 23-year-old England star can bring his majestic club form to the biggest stage of all.
He said: “Raheem’s a special player. This season he was playing at such a high level and he’ll only get better.
“He’s a winner – any criticism he has faced in the last weeks I know he will just ignore.
“At City he’s so focused on success and he’ll have the same attitude with England. He scored many last season – important goals, goals that won games in the last BY DAVID McDONNELL – and that takes a special type of player. On big occasions he has the confidence, that’s why he will light up the World Cup.”
Sterling and de Bruyne’s club allegiance will be put to one side on June 28 when England take on Belgium in a game expected to decide the Group G winner.
And de Bruyne will provide his team-mates with all the first-hand information they need on Sterling in a bid to nullify his threat.
Having played a part in creating a clutch of Sterling’s goals last season de Bruyne, City’s Player of the Year, knows his game inside out.
He said: “He’s a pleasure to play with. He makes such intelligent runs, he pulls away from defenders with ease, and you know if you give Raheem a good ball there’s a big chance he’s going to do something.
“England have some creative midfield players and if they can create chances for him then they can do well.”
Given the array of glittering talent within their ranks, which includes Premier League stars de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium have been perennial under-achievers when it comes to major tournaments.
They reached the quarterfinals at the last World Cup and Euro 2016 with de Bruyne claiming Roberto Martinez’s side are finally ready to prove their worth as major contenders and fulfil their huge potential.
He said: “We know this Belgium squad is special and we’re desperate to win a trophy.
“We have the belief but there can only be one nation that wins the World Cup – but we’re ready for the fight.”
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire insists he’ll be among the first to salute England’s army of loyal supporters in Russia because he knows all about the sacrifices they make to follow the side.
The Leicester defender was among the fans only two years’ ago, raising plastic pint pots in France and chanting vain support for Harry Kane and Co at Euro 2016.
Now battling for a place in Gareth Southgate’s starting lineminute up, Maguire said: “My friends were out there, I had a few days spare in the summer so I thought I’d go out and get the atmosphere.
“They were a great few days. It was great to see the passion of the fans.
“It was a great experience and one I’d definitely do again.
“I’m totally aware of the sacrifices they make, it’s a trip that costs a lot of money.
“I know what it means to everyone. We’re going to go there, try to give it everything we can to be a success.”
Maguire admits his supporter pals find it as odd as he does one of their number from two years ago will now be playing at the World Cup.
He says: “I’m sure they think it’s as surreal as what it was to me when I first found out. They’ll go there as big fans of the England team as well as supporting myself.”
KEVIN DE BRUYNE