Gary Neville has insisted Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is ‘right at the very, very top’ when it comes to ball-striking and delivery.
The Belgian was City’s saviour on Saturday in the game against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The pulsating game finished 3-2 to City, with De Bruyne grabbing a goal and then an assist for Oscar Bobb in injury-time.
It was a sensational cameo, with people just left amazed by the 32-year-old’s wizardry with the ball at his feet.
In the eyes of Neville, Kevin De Bruyne‘s delivery is absolutely second to none…
Gary Neville claims Kevin De Bruyne is a better ball striker than Trent Alexander-Arnold and David Beckham
Neville spoke about De Bruyne on the latest Gary Neville podcast, and he branded the City maestro ‘delicious’.
He believes De Bruyne is now one of the ‘great, great players’ in Premier League history, but in terms of his ball striking, there is nobody better. Not Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, not his former teammate David Beckham, no one.
He said: “I think Trent Alexander-Arnold is someone who can deliver a ball brilliantly. David Beckham who I played with for many years, was a beautiful striker of the ball.
“But that is where Kevin De Bruyne is right at the very, very top, in terms of delivery, striking of a ball, set-pieces, crosses, passes. World-class, just world-class.”
De Bruyne may be best striker of a ball ever
A case can certainly be made that De Bruyne is the best striker of a ball the game has ever seen. He is certainly the best in recent history.
Lots of players today have wonderful technique, but De Bruyne is someone who combines technique with efficiency. The balls he puts into the box from crosses or set-pieces are usually always on the money.
He can drive the ball, whip it or float it, and can play passes from short, medium or long range.
It doesn’t matter what the situation demands, De Bruyne can conjure up the exact kind of ball that is needed, and it is truly a pleasure to watch him do that in a City shirt.
