Reinvigorated City Benefitting From De Bruyne's Return
Ahead of Chelsea’s welcome of Manchester City on Saturday evening, much of the focus was on Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Stamford Bridge. The Belgian was sold by former manager Jose Mourinho to Wolfsburg in January 2014 having failed to convince the Portuguese boss he warranted regular game time in west London. In the 18 months following his move to the Bundesliga, De Bruyne showcased just why he deserved a starting spot for Chelsea.
In his solitary full season with Wolfsburg, De Bruyne gained a WhoScored rating of 7.95 and registered more assists (20) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. It was little shock, therefore, that City spent around £55m to lure him to the Etihad last summer and their decision to spend big on the Belgium international is reaping the rewards. Six league goals and a further nine assists in England’s top tier this term have helped return a WhoScored rating of 7.41, the second best of all City players.
While that rating drops to just 6.97 in the Champions League, the 24-year-old creator netted recent vital goals in the quarter-final with PSG to help City secure their spot in the last four of Europe’s elite competition for the first time in the club’s history. It's clear that De Bruyne’s availability is now vital to City’s long-term success.
After sustaining a knee injury in the 3-1 Capital One Cup win over Everton back in January - a match he both scored and registered an assist in - City’s performance levels visibly dropped thereafer. Of course, his absence coincided with the confirmation that Pep Guardiola would succeed Manuel Pellegrini at the beginning of February, which certainly effected the team, but it's certainly no coincidence the Citizens were a worse side during De Bruyne’s spell on the sidelines.
In the 12 competitive games De Bruyne missed through injury, City recorded just a 41.7% win success rate, losing five games in that time having lost just seven times in all competitions prior to his absence. With an ability to play anywhere across the attacking three, his impact is vital, capable of finding space in any position across the final third for the benefit of his team.
His impact in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Chelsea was clear for all to see, heightening suggestions that the Blues were too quick to get rid of De Bruyne. John Obi Mikel was the man tasked with keeping the former Chelsea man in check, yet routinely struggled to keep pace with De Bruyne. Only sent-off Thibaut Courtois (5.21) gained a worse WhoScored rating than Obi Mikel (5.72) of all players in the fixture, with the City star able to regularly evade his marker prior to the Nigerian’s 79th minute withdrawal for Asmir Begovic.
As one might expect, De Bruyne exploited the extra space afforded to him and while he neither netted or was credited with an assist, with his pass for Sergio Aguero's opener deflected to the Argentine, his constant movement helped present goalscoring opportunities, which the hat-trick hero capitalised on. With a solid deep-lying midfield base providing support for the defence, this allows for the likes of De Bruyne, David Silva and Jesus Navas to exert the offensive creative qualities of their game without worrying themselves too much over the need to constantly work their way back to help defend.
Of course, that doesn’t completely excuse them of their defensive duties, which De Bruyne is carrying out when required, making 1.1 tackles per game and winning possession in the attacking third an average of 0.9 times per league match. Nevertheless, with those operating behind De Bruyne covering at the back, he can help create chances for his teammates, with the Belgian playing more key passes per game (3.2) than any other City player.
It’s no coincidence that City are scoring more goals per game with De Bruyne (2.05) than without him (1.57) in the Premier League this season, with Pellegrini’s side a far more fluid attacking outfit with the Belgian starting. There have been suggestions that, had De Bruyne been fit for the entire season, he would have been in the running for the PFA Player of the Season award and - if his recent outings are anything to go by - justifiably so.
Injuries have often been the root of City’s problems this season, with De Bruyne, Silva and Aguero each sidelined for one reason or another over the campaign. As such, City’s most potent attacking trio have made just seven league starts together this term, netting a whopping 19 goals in those games. Had Pellegrini been able to call on the trio more regularly during the campaign, chances are City would sit closer to table toppers Leicester than the 13-point gap suggests.
With De Bruyne returning to fitness, though, his recovery comes at a key time as City strive to end the season strongly and land European glory. He proved how crucial an impact he can have on games when the cards are stacked against City having twice beaten Kevin Trapp in the 3-2 aggregate win over PSG. His attacking burden is a heavy one to shoulder, but if De Bruyne’s recent form following his return from injury is anything to go by, it’s one he can carry with consummate ease.
You can buy and sell shares ahead of the midweek Premier League fixtures with player trading website BuaBook
