Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called outgoing midfielder Kevin de Bruyne the best passer he has coached after Barcelona icon Lionel Messi, Afrosport reports.
The Catalan tactician has coached a number of players renowned for their passing during his managerial career, such as Barcelona legends Xavi, Andres Iniesta and City icon David Silva.
He however places De Bruyne, who will be leaving the club after 10 years when his contract expires at the end of next month, in higher regard, and believes it will be difficult to replace the Belgian.
“One is Messi,” Guardiola said. “And the other two, let me think about it…OK, let me put Kevin second.
“Messi is the best I have ever seen because Messi has done it really, really close to the box, but Kevin is there. It’s just the stats, the goals, the assists, that he provides to the team in the final third and the talent.
“That is unique, that is why he has been one of the best players this club has had in the whole history. These are big, big words because he has been a special player.”
KDB
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De Bruyne has won 16 trophies with City, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, playing 420 times in all competitions, scoring 108 goals and providing 177 assists.
The 33-year-old will receive a farewell from City when he takes to the field at the Etihad Stadium for one last time in Tuesday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth.
