There was a realisation that came during the latter stages of Manchester City’s 3-nil win over Nottingham Forest. Manchester City had ended their seven-game winless run in all competitions at the Etihad, and not a moment too soon. That much was obvious. But watching the game play out the realisation was that we should just sit back and enjoy the performances of Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne. He was at his best against Forest, and it was a sight to behold, even though we’ve seen that type of performance from him many times before.
Watching De Bruyne dictate Wednesday night’s match was special. It was that much more of a special performance when you consider that it was De Bruyne’s first start since mid-September. He had made a series of substitute appearances before the Nottingham Forest game. But his first start since September was another brilliant performance from De Bruyne. It takes its place amongst the catalogue of great displays he’s had for the world champions.
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It wasn’t just how he played it was the lift that he gave his teammates that stood out. Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan walked taller and played better with De Bruyne on the pitch. You add that to the way the Manchester City legend played it made his performance against Nottingham Forest that much more remarkable.
But come the final whistle that’s when the realisation hit. Kevin De Bruyne is coming to the end of his time at Manchester City. That may be at the end of this season, or the next, but it is coming. It’s not a prospect that anyone associated with Manchester City wants to consider just yet. So until that prospect does become a reality we should just sit back and enjoy Kevin De Bruyne and his greatness in a City shirt while we can. He is undoubtedly one of the club’s best-ever players. De Bruyne is also one of the finest midfielders to grace the Premier League in its history.
Mike McGrath has reported for the Telegraph that Manchester City would contemplate offering De Bruyne a role in the club’s in the City Football Group. That is his standing amongst the City hierarchy. The fact that he is a City legend, a Premier League great and holds such a high standing in the City Football Group tells you all you need to know about the Belgian international.
We should sit back and enjoy every remaining performance from Kevin De Bruyne in a Manchester City shirt. They are coming to an end in the not-too-distant future. But performances like his one against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday reminded us all of how lucky we are to see him play for the world champions. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of football we forget the greatness we are privileged to witness. De Bruyne’s performance on Wednesday was a reminder of that fact.