THE BRUYNE’S TRUST

Even as a kid Defour could see pal Kevin had the nous (and skills) to be a great

EVEN as a kid, Kevin De Bruyne would passionately argue about football.

De Bruyne rowed with David Silva during Manchester City’s Champions League win over Napoli and pal Steven Defour says he has always stood his ground.

Defour remembers being at Genk when the precocious 13-year-old joined the club’s youth set-up and moved into the same shared house as him.

Although De Bruyne was quiet, Defour, who is three years older, says his fellow Belgian had the strength of conviction to argue with his coaches over tactics.

“We’ve known each other since we were at Genk,” said the Burnley midfielder.

“Eight of us stayed in this house with this family, who worked for the club.

“Even then, Kevin could see things way faster than anyone else, so he would argue with the coach. Not really arguing, but if the coach said, ‘You have to play the ball this way’ he would say no if he could see a better option.

“He was so ahead of his team-mates in his ability and we knew he was good. What struck me about him was right foot, left foot, they were basically the same, which was a remarkable for a boy of 12 or 13.

“He has a lot of character and when it’s not going the way he wants, he will tell you.

“But he’s not a guy who will talk all the time. It’s just when he wants to say something he will say it.”

De Bruyne was like a kid brother to Defour (above) and the Clarets star said they spent their down time playing on a PlayStation and enjoying kickabouts. “He was quiet, a good guy, who wanted to play football,” he said. “We were always playing on the Play-Station or football outside. “I can’t remember what games we played on the PlayStation, but I can tell you he scores better goals in real life. He really knew what he wanted at that point. He knew he wanted to be a professional player. You could see that when you were talking to him.

“He just wanted to play football and prove it.”

Defour, 29, and his Burnley team-mates, who are unbeaten on the road, must somehow find a way to halt de Bruyne and City’s rampant goalmachine at the Etihad today.

He knows that will be tough when his former housemate is playing the best football of his career.

“He is performing so well,” said Defour. “I think he’s at the top of his career. He’s playing a little bit lower down the pitch so he touches the ball a lot more than last year.

“He’s now starting all those attacks, he’s orchestrating the Man City team.

“We’re going to have to shut him down and also David Silva and Leroy Sane – and all their quality players. We have nothing to lose, that’s for sure.

“Everybody is thinking Manchester City are going to win so we can go there with no pressure.”