CITY’S OWN BRUY OF THE ROVERS
KEVIN DE BRUYNE is waging an all-out assault on four fronts as the Manchester City star dominates early season headlines.
He may look like an angel with that constantly smiling cherubic face but De Bruyne is a devil in disguise.
The in-form ace has been set free by City boss Pep Guardiola to wreak havoc, attack with menace and hit the back of the net as the Belgium star demonstrated against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
That spectacular solo goal saw De Bruyne receive a standing ovation in the dressing room after the final whistle with ecstatic team-mates chanting his name in salute.
And then in a quieter moment, De Bruyne carefully spelled out what he is aiming for after a sensational unbeaten start in the Premier League – to go for the lot. And he is deadly serious in setting a target of winning the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
He said: “It was a little bit noisy at Chelsea with everyone jumping around. Everyone knew the significance of the game. We were all excited.
“And we have a team at City where we want to go for each one of them. It’s a very difficult task but if it’s possible I’m going to take it.”
City great Peter Barnes (inset) thinks he is talking sense and believes De Bruyne (right) at 26 is the man to inspire his team-mates to fight on that FOUR-midable front.
Barnes has a vision of City legend Colin Bell in his mind when he talks about De Bruyne’s impact at The Etihad since his £55million arrival from Wolfsburg just over two years ago.
He said: “Yes, he’s definitely a throwback. What I love about Kevin is that he’s so unassuming. He’s got great confidence in his own ability and he’s such a likeable lad off the field.
“What a wonderful talent he is. He reminds me so much of Colin. The fans talk about him in the same breath all the time.
“He definitely plays like him. He is probably on a par with Colin but I think Kevin’s got more skill – and that’s a hell of a statement to make. He can head it and score great goals like Belly. He has great feet, can pass the ball and also beat people.
“Kevin is a supreme athlete and in my mind is nearly the complete player. Pep Guardiola has allowed him to be more offensive and that suits Kevin.
“He doesn’t want to be sat there defending the defenders, staying back. He needs to get forward and to be scoring goals. That’s Kevin at his best.
“If he’s saying he’s going for all four, then I think that’s right. That positive thinking has probably come from the manager. If you are a young man and playing like him, you want to win everything.
“So why not go for all four? The City fans I talk to say the big one is always the Premier League. It sets the example that you are the best team in the country.
“They would love to go for the Premier League and do better in the Champions League. That’s what the owners want and the manager. And Kevin, of course.”