AMONG the early achievements of Erling Haaland at City, surprising Kevin de Bruyne must count as one of his most impressive impacts.
It takes a lot to shake the Blues' unflappable playmaker, a Premier League veteran who sees more than almost anyone else on a football pitch. What most in the game still marvel at, De Bruyne seemingly produces as routine through the season.
City have tried their hardest to play down either side of the mania around Haaland as he settled at his new club, keen not to raise expectations even higher or spend every interview talking about the Norwegian. The Belgian midfielder has been part of that, and has appeared bemused by some of the fixation around City's new No.9 when he has stopped to speak to reporters after the first two games of the season.
To hear De Bruyne talk of Haaland's exceptional prequality is cisely why there is so much fascination around the striker, though.
This story is from the August 15, 2022 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the August 15, 2022 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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