Stewart Downing has said that Kevin De Bruyne “looked sharp” when he came on for Manchester City against Huddersfield Town.
The pundit gave his two cents on De Bruyne’s cameo in City’s latest 5-0 victory and how much of a boost it is for his side on BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily’s show (07/01/2024).
After the contest, Andy Morrison was extremely complimentary about the decorated midfielder’s showing on Sunday.
Stewart Downing noticed Kevin De Bruyne “looked sharp” for Manchester City against Huddersfield
Phil Foden labelled the Belgian international as “one of the best players in the world” and emphasised how instrumental he will be for the Sky Blues in their hunt for winning any trophy this season.
Pep Guardiola emphasised that while he does not want the 32-year-old to shoulder the burden of ensuring City fire on all cylinders, he admitted that he was over the moon at seeing him on the pitch again.
Stewart Downing says he was fairly impressed by how Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne fared against Huddersfield.
“To be fair, when he came on, he did look fresh, didn’t he? He looked sharp. I know they were obviously comfortably winning the game but he did look sharp. Sometimes, players come back, you’re thinking, ‘He needs a few games. He looks like he needs a few minutes.’ But that’s the most important thing, it’s about how they manage him now through this little period”, he said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily show.
“Don’t obviously throw him in and he breaks down again. Just use him in games where they’re comfortably winning, maybe put him on and maybe start him or take him out but obviously, Pep [Guardiola] will know how to do that and manage him.”
Stewart Downing also emphasised that seeing Kevin De Bruyne return to action for Manchester City against Huddersfield, rival teams must be fearful.
“But what a player to bring back at this time of the season. I see the quotes from Jurgen Klopp the other day saying the whole league’s quaking in when you see him warming up, now, Kevin De Bruyne. Even that’s the fear he puts into rival teams. Straightaway, they’re thinking, ‘What a player they’ve got there to sort of call upon.’ Great to see him back, like you said, he’s been out a long time.”
It is hard to disagree with Stewart Downing, as Kevin De Bruyne did indeed look assured in his display for Manchester City against Huddersfield.
As the Sky Blues gear themselves up to lock horns against Newcastle United on Saturday, De Bruyne has admitted that it is probable that he will not start from the get-go at St. James’ Park.
But as Downing said, the fact that arguably the Premier League’s best player is fit once again is a frightening thought for City’s title rivals, Liverpool and Arsenal.
