Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to the Manchester City side on Saturday with two exquisite strikes as Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 4-2. After being left out of a midweek win over Aston Villa, De Bruyne replaced Phil Foden and credited his fellow midfielder for “giving him a little push”. After the game, he told TNT Sports: “These guys keep me on my toes.”
Kevin De Bruyne has praised team-mate Phil Foden, saying “these guys keep me on my toes”, following Manchester City’s victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Belgian was left on the bench in midweek as Foden scored a majestic hat-trick in a comfortable victory over Aston Villa.
Three days later, their roles reversed at Selhurst Park as De Bruyne struck his 99th and 100th goals for the club on his return with two stunning efforts, while Foden was an unused substitute.
After the match, De Bruyne spoke highly of his fellow midfielder and praised him for continuing to raise the bar at Man City.
“These guys keep me on my toes, I don’t expect to just be given my place,” De Bruyne told TNT Sports.
“I know sometimes it’s hard and people talk about longevity but if I don’t perform well I won’t play.
“Phil has been amazing this season so he deserves it and it keeps me on my toes to give me that little push.”
De Bruyne has taken Foden under his wing since the 23-year-old made his debut in 2017 and feels the England midfielder has grown into an “established superstar”.
“I just try to be an example of the way I am on the pitch,” De Bruyne said.
“I’m not really the person who is going to tell somebody how to live their life or something because that’s a very personal thing, but I try to give my best from day one.
“I’ve been with Phil for about seven years so I don’t really feel he’s a youngster anymore, he’s an established superstar in our team, he’s been here that long. He’s just amazing.”
City travel to Spain on Tuesday to take on Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
In a repeat of last season’s semi-final against the 14-time champions, current holders City will look to protect the crown that confirmed their status as treble winners.
De Bruyne hinted that he would rather go back-to-back in Europe than win four Premier League titles in a row, an achievement that has never been accomplished before.
“I don’t really know, it’s hard to choose,” De Bruyne admitted. “Maybe the Champions League.
“It’s hard to say, but I’ll take any. I’ll take any.”
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