Quiet assassin De Bruyne rampantly repaying Man City’s record fee

The astute attacking midfielder has now bagged three goals in his last three outings for City, providing his new club with plenty of prowess going forward, effectively becoming a key cog in Pellegrini’s title-chasing machine.

Despite currently being the most expensive player in England’s top-flight, the serial assist-maker has remained quietly spoken and extremely humble, claiming he does not want to be cast as the star of City’s show. Though his performances may not give him a choice as he becomes England’s quiet assassin.

“I don’t want to be the star, I just want to play good,” admitted De Bruyne. “Obviously, there is a big price tag, but I had a four-year contract left and Wolfsburg didn’t want to let me go. So it is totally different to when I had a one year contract and they wanted me to leave.

“It is a lot of money, but I need to play football. It is a lot of money, but I am not the only one [at City].

“At Wolfsburg, I was the star, but at the end of the day I am not the guy who speaks a lot. I don’t want to be a captain. I’m not loud in the dressing room or outside. That is not my style. I just do my stuff on the pitch and help the team.”

After a couple of appearances from the bench, De Bruyne was rewarded a starting position in City’s set-up and he hasn’t disappointed, netting three times in Capital One Cup and domestic league outings.

“I have always been like this and I will try to stay the same. You get kids who look up to you as a role model, but I don’t know why I should change,” he continued.

“I am happy with the way my life is going, and I’m happy the way it has gone for 24 years, so I don’t know why I should change. I like it quiet with my family. I have never been the guy who speaks and jokes the most. And I need to get to know everyone at City too.”

In the absence of City’s talismanic playmaker Silva against Spurs, De Bruyne was key to any forward movement and even slotted home the opener in what eventually turned into a miserable afternoon on their visit to White Hart Lane.

The wealth injected into City’s set-up has so far helped overseen four major trophy victories, including two league titles, and both FA and League Cup wins, but the European stage is seen as this club’s holy grail and they are 14/1 to end their wait this season.

With such an array of talent, it’s a surprise the Sky Blues have suffered continuous disappointments in the Champions League, showing their credentials in short bursts against the big boys but then ultimately exiting in the long stretch.

Could De Bruyne be the star to overturn this stuttering form in Europe’s elite club competition? He has the experience of guiding Wolfsburg through the Europa League knock-out stages and will soon face a familiar opponent in Borussia Monchengladbach.

The in-form playmaker is 7/4 to net anytime in his second Champions League outing for City, having got the better of the Bundesliga outfit before during his spell in Germany, as the Belgian aims to inspire a revival in Group D where his side were previously toppled 2-1 by Juventus.

De Bruyne’s influence has already been evident on the blue half of Manchester, linking up solidly with his fellow forwards and demonstrating fluid attacking distinction in the final third, as he proves to be great value as the most costly player in an already expensively-assembled squad.