KEV LOVES LEAD ROLE

De Bruyne proud to be part of City’s fab five

KEVIN DE BRUYNE reckons his relationship with Manchester City is a marriage made in heaven.

The Belgium ace is attracting the attention of the world’s biggest clubs as he leads Pep Guardiola’s men on a title charge. De Bruyne (right) was impressive once again as City put on a five star show to destroy a woeful Crystal Palace outfit.

It left Roy Hodgson’s men still looking for their first goal and point of the season.

Raheem Sterling scored twice while Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and substitute Fabian Delph chipped in as City ran riot in the second half.

City are at the top of the table on goal difference, with De Bruyne emerging as the jewel in Guardiola’s very expensive crown.

The midfielder insists he could not care less who might be watching him, because he has no intention of leaving the Etihad.

De Bruyne, 26, has been designated one of five leaders of the side.

He said: “I’m on the right track and am one of the leaders of the team. I’m number five of the team and am in the players’ council.

“For me it was also nice to be seen as one of the more mature adults in the group.

“That’s fun. That does not often happen just because everyone is on the field. The four others are Vincent (Kompany), Fernandinho, David Silva and Kun Aguero.

Superb

“I’m the youngest yes. We shall see, but I am very happy at City.

“Everything is going well for me. I have no reason to go anywhere else. The project City have is superb, so it’s best for me.”

What would Palace boss Roy Hodgson give to have someone of De Bruyne’s quality to lift them out of the deep hole they are in?

The Premier League’s bottom side are in a world of trouble and Hodgson admits the time for his flops to start producing instead of talking a good game is long overdue.

To make matters worse, striker Christian Benteke limped out of the action with a knee problem and could be sidelined for several weeks.

Hodgson, whose side face Manchester United and Chelsea in their next two games, said: “Of course not scoring makes things more difficult. No question.

“There are no words that can change that. There’s nothing I can say that suddenly puts a different complexion on the statement of the truth.

“If the players want to get some points on the board then they’d better try harder to get them against Manchester United and Chelsea.

“If they don’t, then they had better learn to live with that, then get them off the teams that follow.

“It’s not a question of words, it’s a question of actions.”