In Focus: City slicker De Bruyne writing himself into history books

Kevin De Bruyne is showing no sign of slowing down.

The Belgian playmaker is once again leading Manchester City's charge for silverware as Pep Guardiola's side go in search of a historic Treble.

De Bruyne is a man for the big occasion, starring in the Citizens' crunch clash with Arsenal last month before scoring against Real Madrid in midweek.

And as City prepare for today's trip to Everton, the 31-year-old's performances and longevity are drawing comparisons to some of English football's all-time great midfielders.

Sensational statistics

No Premier League player can keep up with De Bruyne's creative output this term.

Ahead of Matchday 36, he had racked up a league-leading 16 assists and 31 big chances created.

He has also registered seven top-flight goals, with four of those efforts coming from outside the box.

Henry's high praise

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who worked with him on Belgium duty, believes De Bruyne is one of the most intelligent players he has ever witnessed.

Speaking earlier this week, he said: "Kevin, his brain is the best that I've seen.

"I think he is the most clever player I've ever seen in my life. It is just second to none, the way that he thinks.

"I saw him for six years on and off with Belgium, you love the man a bit more because I saw stuff that he did in training and in games.

"He is a perfectionist, unbelievable. Kevin, his brain, I am still thinking about stuff that I've seen and it is just from a different planet."

Premier League greatness

De Bruyne's phenomenal goal contribution numbers put him among the all-time Premier League greats — most notably Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes.

In 240 league appearances, his tally of 102 assists has already eclipsed Scholes and Gerrard. However, he is behind all three when it comes to goals, despite scoring 64 times.

In 499 matches, Scholes netted 107 and assisted 55. Lampard scored 177 and assisted 102 in 609, while Gerrard bagged 120 and assisted 92 in 504.

But at 31 — and with over two years left on his City contract — De Bruyne is far from finished.

Simply the best?

According to former Liverpool player star Jamie Redknapp, De Bruyne has already cemented himself as the all-time best in his position.

He said: "It's tough. I'm going to be talking about family because there's never going to be a better goalscoring Premier League midfielder than Frank Lampard. 

"Steven Gerrard was Roy of the Rovers, Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane, all brilliant players.

"But I just feel with all his [De Bruyne's] attributes, I've never seen anyone pass the ball so beautifully. 

"His football IQ, the way he sees gaps and threads through passes with such pinpoint accuracy, I haven't seen it before.

"The goals he scores, he's a beautiful striker of the ball. For me, he's the greatest."

Toff task

City travel to Merseyside this afternoon to take on Sean Dyche's Everton.

The Toffees are mired in a relegation battle, but struck big with a 5-1 win over Brighton last Monday that lifted them out of the drop zone.

Dyche has them playing counter-attacking football, with Everton completing an impressive 14 fast breaks since his appointment in late January.

That should mean Guardiola's outfit can dominate the ball at Goodison Park, allowing De Bruyne to work his magic from midfield once again.