ZINCH DOES DE DOUBLE

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO admits there is a downside to playing with Kevin De Bruyne – being mistaken for him.

Zinchenko (above, right) told how fans shout at him for selfies as they mix him up with his Manchester City team-mate (above, left.)

“I’ve heard it all the time, trust me,” said the Ukrainian. “Everyone calls me Kev. When I’m getting on the bus, the fans shout, ‘Kev, can I have a picture?’ I then turn round and they’re all disappointed like, ‘Oh, it’s not Kevin’.

“From afar maybe we look like twins, but when we’re together I don’t think so. I’m more beautiful than him, definitely.”

The supporters’ reaction might dent the confidence of some young players, but self-belief is not something Zinchenko, 21, lacks.

He is a strong character and fled Ukraine for Russia with his parents when he was 16, days before the conflict there erupted. He has played for Shakhtar Donetsk’s youth sides, in Russia with Ufa and on loan in Holland with PSV Eindhoven.

And he is unfazed by the prospect of making only his ninth City start in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup Final at left-back.

“I’m ready to play,” he said. “Ronaldo from Brazil, when he was 20 was already one of the best players in Europe. Pele was 17 when he won the World Cup the first time. At 21, you already have to show your quality.”