One area of Manchester City’s squad that has largely always been formidable is their midfield.
Next season as well, Pep Guardiola has plenty of options to choose from such as Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva among others.
In the past as well, players like Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure have all operated at world-class standards.
Napoli fans mobbed De Bruyne before his medical, which illustrates the global impact the Belgian and City’s midfield greats have had over the years.
Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli smiling during a press conference
Photo by Antonio Balasco/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images
Tottenham star Joao Palhinha names Kevin De Bruyne as his toughest opponent
In the 2025/2026 season, Joao Palhinha will be one of the many top-class midfielders who Manchester City will have to go toe-to-toe with in in the Premier League in their quest to redeem themselves.
The Portuguese international, who has signed for Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Bayern Munich has previously praised several Sky Blues players, with Palhinha lauding Rodri by naming him as the world’s best number six in February 2024.
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Speaking to Tottenham’s official media channel, Palhinha was asked who his toughest opponent is and he did not take much time to take De Bruyne’s name.
“The toughest player…Kevin De Bruyne.”
Joao Palhinha’s record against Kevin De Bruyne
Much like Palhinha, Moises Caicedo named De Bruyne his hardest opponent.
Luckily for the former Sporting CP dynamo, he will not have to lock horns with him next season.
JOAO PALHINHA’S RECORD AGAINST KEVIN DE BRUYNE
MATCHES 4
WINS 0
DRAWS 4
LOSSES 0
Considering Palhinha has faced De Bruyne four times while ending up on the losing side on every occasion, it makes complete sense why he dreads playing against him.
However, such is the Manchester City legend’s greatness that several players would agree with Palhinha’s assessment.