Could this man lead Manchester City all the way to the title in 2016/17?

After initially completing his staggering £55 million move to the Etihad last summer under former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, big things were seemingly expected of Kevin de Bruyne among the English top-flight – very big things indeed!

 

And whilst the Belgian international certainly suffered a great deal with injuries and suspended lay-offs away from the pitch throughout the 2015/16 domestic campaign, the former Wolfsburg favourite managed to win over the vast majority of Premier League onlookers via his very own brand of attacking intensity inside the final third.

 

The 2016/17 season has subsequently begun in wonderful fashion for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder – for although de Bruyne clearly endured a campaign to forget for the most part with Marc Wilmots’ talented, yet flawed Belgium outfit at Euro 2016 this summer – Manchester City have definitely looked a great deal stronger because of the £55 million man’s involvement of late.

 

So then, can Kevin de Bruyne really lead Pep Guardiola’s newfound set of stars all the way to the title this term, or is the former Stamford Bridge youngster bound to see his current form trail off once push invariably turns to shove down at the Etihad in 2016/17?

 

 

Well, although £55 million admittedly seemed like somewhat of a steep asking price for the Belgian international before he made his first steps out onto the pitch as an official Manchester City player – in today’s current market – such a hefty transfer fee somehow looks far less ridiculous within the wider scheme of things.

 

When it comes to spraying possession around the pitch with the utmost finesse, calmly sending the ball past onrushing keepers in one-on-one situations, as well as simply turning on the goods whenever those big occasions come round to test even the very best players at the very height of their game – Kevin de Bruyne usually fails to disappoint in largely exciting fashion.

 

Whilst the quick-footed Belgian international could still arguably develop his overall game even further under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, Manchester City have undoubtedly sounded themselves out as the most serious title contenders at this particularly early stage of the season – and much of the has come down to Kevin de Bruyne’s own individual contribution. Raheem Sterling is another of Pep Guardiola’s first team stars that have certainly benefitted from the former Barcelona boss’ inclusion at their club this term, but even he has seemingly failed to present himself in a more positive and influential light than Kevin de Bruyne.

 

With all things fairly taken into account among the upper echelons of the English top-flight this campaign, a wise bet could easily see Manchester City claim top-spot when all is said and done – especially with an asset as widely talented as Kevin de Bruyne pulling all the strings alongside a whole host of equally expensive and highly regarded stars down at the Etihad in 2016/17.