Ian Wright has heaped praise on Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne for his strike against Newcastle United in his side’s latest 3-2 win.
The pundit broke down how intelligent De Bruyne’s finish was on The Overlap’s Stick To Football show (via YouTube) as he scored the all-important equaliser for City at St. James’ Park.
The Manchester City midfielder struck the ball through Fabian Schar’s legs before his effort nestled into the bottom corner of the goal.
Ian Wright raves about “underrated” Kevin De Bruyne goal against Newcastle
As De Bruyne found acres of space to carry the ball, the expectation was that he would blast the ball towards goal in typical fashion.
The £54 million (talkSPORT) man is known for being one of the fiercest strikers of the ball in world football.
However, as Kevin De Bruyne went for placement instead of power for his stunning strike against Newcastle, Ian Wright was left awestruck.
“Again, with the finish, it’s so underrated because remember, he’s not blasted that. He’s placed that from, like the edge, that’s just game knowledge, knowing where the guy in front of him is, knowing where the goalkeeper is, unsighted and just…that’s why he’s great! This is why he’s great!”, he said on The Overlap’s Stick To Football show.
Kevin De Bruyne showcased his excellent footballing brain
Ian Wright raises a brilliant point, in our view as Kevin De Bruyne could simply have gone for power when trying to level proceedings for Pep Guardiola’s side against Newcastle.
Instead, the Belgian talisman used Fabian Schar’s positioning to make life difficult for Martin Dubravka in between the sticks, by striking the ball through the former’s legs.
The fact that De Bruyne was able to make such an intelligent decision at the spur of the moment is why he is one of the best players in the world.
Several players across the game can produce such moments of magic but the question is whether they have the presence of mind to think two steps ahead like Kevin De Bruyne to emerge as difference-makers for their sides.
Ian Wright, being a top player during his playing days himself recognised the five-time Premier League winner’s genius.
