Former Manchester City defender Kolo Toure believes the arrival of Erling Haaland has taken Kevin De Bruyne to another level.
The duo played starring roles last night as City thumped Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
It was a statement victory from Pep Guardiola’s side, who are now just two points behind with two games in hand.
De Bruyne opened the scoring after brilliant hold-up play by Haaland in the centre circle.
The Belgian drove forwards Yaya Toure-style and fired into the bottom corner.
De Bruyne then saw his free-kick headed in by John Stones just before half-time.
In the second-half, Haaland again played in De Bruyne who finished into the far corner.
And right at the death, Haaland grabbed the goal he had so thoroughly deserved.
It was just a devastating performance from the pair of them, and many are already talking about them as being the most dangerous duo the Premier League has ever seen.
And Toure reckons City’s acquisition of Haaland has somehow taken De Bruyne to an even greater level.
He said (via mancity.com): “Right now, Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfielder in the world in my opinion.
“Technically and tactically, he is outstanding and his vision in playing with Erling Haaland has only increased the level of his game.
“Every time Kevin has the ball, he looks for him. Haaland makes runs all the time into space.
“And because people are so focused on Haaland it opens up games for Kevin and that was what happened on Wednesday.
“People are so frightened when Haaland is running. The centre backs chase him, and it opens up a big space and Kevin can exploit that.”
Last night’s game was perhaps Haaland’s best for City, with his link-up play on point throughout. Jamie Carragher said during the game the Arsenal centre-backs were simply ‘terrified’ of him.
Kolo Toure is right – Erling Haaland has brought out even more from Kevin De Bruyne at Man City
De Bruyne is turning 32 in a couple of months, and some might have expected him to start slowing down in terms of his output for City.
But he is showing absolutely no signs of age catching up with him, and arguably the arrival of Haaland has just put even more wind into his sails.
The maestro is the best midfielder in the world. He was before Haaland pitched up at the Etihad, but there are no doubts about his status as that now.
De Bruyne and Haaland are going to wreak absolute havoc while they’re in the same team.
