Playmaker of the season, an assists record and many more after a season of incredible consistency; but does Kevin De Bruyne deserve more recognition for his individual efforts this season?
Despite Liverpool storming to the title ahead of Manchester City, De Bruyne has been stunningly consistent in his world class performances. Perhaps making up for lost time through injuries in City’s title-winning campaign last season.
Not like his quality was ever in any doubt.
KDB’s superb individual efforts have been well documented, as his brace and assist on the final day against relegated Norwich took him to 13 goals and 20 assists (a direct goal involvement in 33 of City’s 102 League goals), to also become the first central midfielder to exceed 30 goal involvements in a Premier League season since Frank Lampard in 2010. Par for the course, he ended up as the Fantasy Premier League top scorer for 2019/20.
Maintaining his status as a true all-rounder, the key to De Bruyne’s scintillating form was down to him staying fit and healthy throughout the season. The Belgian is a willing runner off the ball and his supreme quality on the ball has resulted in many succesful set pieces and goals for the Cityzens. This inspirational form has been well timed, too, as captain David ‘El Mago’ Silva exits the Premier League after 10 years with City.
5. Kevin De Bruyne tied Thierry Henry’s all-time PL assist record (20).
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) July 27, 2020
He also set a new Premier League record for most chances created from open play (104) beating Eden Hazard’s previous record (98).
👑
Via @Squawka pic.twitter.com/uCUXLlle3l
De Bruyne’s delightful trademark passes have created chances at a rate of 3.9 per game as he equalled Thierry Henry’s Premier League assists record of 20, set in 2002/03. This achievement follows on from his Bundesliga record of 20, broken by Thomas Müller in the just-concluded Bundesliga campaign.
READ ALSO: Thomas Muller; the Raumdeuter and Europe’s assist king
De Bruyne and Fernandes mirroring similarities
KDB can feel aggrieved by the cancellation of the 2020 Ballon D’or awards given his superb performances warranted a good shout at this year’s honour, he can be comforted by the fact he’s now the Premier League’s joint-record assists maker as well as arguably the best player in this season’s Premier League. Indeed, with the PFA Awards yet to be announced he is in the mix to be officially crowned the League’s best player alongside some of Liverpool’s title winners.
De Bruyne is the best individual player in the country due to his sheer numbers.
Although his efforts haven’t been rewarded with a third successive league title, Pep Guardiola would be desperate to recruit adequately to return with a sustained title fight next season.
Before then, there is the small matter of a Champions League Round of 16 tie with Spanish Champions Real Madrid to complete, and with it, a possible triumph in that competition to truly seal a memorable individual campaign.
Needless to say, KDB is just the kind of quality required to lift the trophy with the big ears.
