In Focus: De Bruyne has world and European glory in his sights

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently claimed there was more to come from his star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and the Belgian responded, with goals in back-to-back wins over Brighton and Leicester.

There is a strong argument that De Bruyne is already at the top of his game, but he keeps reaching new levels for the Premier League champions.

As City continue their quest for a maiden Champions League crown in tonight's final group stage game against Sevilla, we take a look at where the playmaker could still improve.

Pep talk

Guardiola has worked with many world-class talents and considers De Bruyne among the very best.

The Catalan coach praised the 31-year-old after he scored a stunning free-kick at Leicester last Saturday, but he believes City's No17 could develop even further.

Guardiola said: "His top [level] is when he has the freedom or moves more laterally to the right and arrives to the box, rather than staying in the pockets.

"De Bruyne needs to roam, to run the game — on the run. It’s not that he has been standing still in recent games, he has had the space to move in but has been sloppy.

"It’s not that he can’t do it, we have had seven seasons together, we have done everything except sleep together, we have done everything. I know him quite well.

"I want more. I want this Kevin. We need this Kevin. Against Brighton, he scored a fantastic goal but it is not enough."

Finding consistency

Since joining City in 2015, De Bruyne has accumulated 221 goal contributions in 323 games. 

This includes a career-best 13 goals and 20 assists in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign — although he has already recorded three goals and nine assists in 12 appearances this season, on track for a record-breaking personal tally.

Despite a sparkling career in Manchester, De Bruyne has had dry spells of form — something that Guardiola has expressed frustration at.

2018-19 saw the former Chelsea man notch only four goal contributions, and he has only twice scored more than 10 goals in a Premier League campaign.

So while he has made a promising start to 2022-23, there is still plenty of work to be done to help make this a career-defining season.

Hard work beats talent

De Bruyne undoubtedly posses immense ability with the ball — the four-time Premier League winner has averaged 0.94 through balls per 90 minutes this term, more than any other player in the division and attempts nearly eight crosses per game.

But in addition to being more decisive in the final third, there is room for improvement without the ball.

De Bruyne averages less than one tackle per 90 this season and has lost the majority of his duels.

Though not imperative qualities for a creative midfielder, both these metrics suggest he can exhibit more physicality in the engine room.

World Cup wishes

De Bruyne will also want to improve his personal performances to help carry Belgium to World Cup glory in the coming weeks, with Qatar perhaps the last chance for Roberto Martinez's golden generation to lift silverware.

Speaking ahead of the global showpiece, he said: "My family are going over for the group stages. I am obviously 31 and I don't know what will happen in four years. This is the first time my kids can come to the World Cup.

"I am excited. It will be the third one and it is always special. These events are great as everyone is watching it. It is big but there is no point to stress about it.

"There is no point worrying about it or thinking about it. You take it as it comes and try and play as well as possible. We are not talking about it with team-mates. The schedule is too hectic."

With only four City matches on the schedule before De Bruyne flies out the Middle East, the greatest of all accolades could soon be within his reach.