Among the early achievements of Erling Haaland at Manchester City, surprising Kevin De Bruyne must count as one of his most impressive impacts.
It takes a lot to shake City’s unflappable playmaker, a Premier League veteran who sees more than almost anyone else on a football pitch.
What most in the game still marvel at, De Bruyne seemingly produces as routine through the season. City have tried their hardest to play down either side of the mania around Haaland as he settled at his new club, keen not to raise expectations even higher or spend every interview talking about the Norwegian.
De Bruyne has been part of that, and has appeared bemused by some of the fixation around City’s new No.9 when he has stopped to speak to reporters after the first two games of the season. Also read: Kevin De Bruyne expects Bernardo Silva to stay at Man City despite Barcelona interest To hear De Bruyne talk of Haaland’s exceptional quality is precisely why there is so much fascination around the striker though.
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