Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne has reached a stage in his career where young players would be referring to him as their inspiration.
For instance, Ethan Nwaneri named De Bruyne as his idol during a video on Arsenal’s official YouTube channel.
“I think growing up, my idol was definitely De Bruyne. The way that he plays, his passing style, when I was younger, I tried to copy what he was doing.”
Especially when it comes to attacking midfielders like Nwaneri, the £400,000-a-week man is the perfect role-model to have due to his eye for a pass and remarkable assist tally.
The Manchester City legend is one of the best players of his generation and naturally, he has managed to inspire several fans, current and future professionals as well.
Being a midfielder, one would have assumed De Bruyne idolised players who played a similar position to him.
De Bruyne names former Liverpool man as his childhood hero
However, it is common amongst several players to play in different positions when they are growing up.
For example, Reece James started out his youth career as a striker, according to Chelsea’s official website.
Since then, James has gone on to become a top-class right-back, who can also play as a right wing-back and as a centre-back in a back three.
Similarly, De Bruyne was quizzed about where he used to play before becoming a midfielder on the Official Man City Podcast.
The 33-year-old replied: “Striker.”
De Bruyne went on to state that him being a number nine as a youngster explains why he used to idolise Michael Owen.
“Well, that’s why Michael Owen was my idol. Obviously, we played seven-a-side and you play like, the ‘keeper and then a 3-1-2 and I was really small and I was quite quick at the time.”
“I was quite a bit similar until I was 15, 16 and then I played more in the midfield already at 13,14 and the I grew quite a bit and my family were Liverpool supporters and Michael Owen was similar so that’s where it comes from.”
De Bruyne perhaps did himself a favour by eventually playing in midfield as it is especially behind the striker where he has always played his best football.
But being a nippy, dimensive number nine, the Belgian’s admiration towards Owen was understandable; who was an enigma when he first burst onto the scene.
In a Liverpool shirt during his early years, Michael Owen was one of the best players in the world and it is no surprise to see De Bruyne, especially due to his family’s love for the club be inspired by him.
