Manchester City Fan View: Kevin De Bruyne leads star Team of the Year lineup

The official UEFA team of the season was publicly announced on Thursday – and amongst the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos and Gianluigi Buffon, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne looked anything but out of places.

The Belgian midfielder was one of just two Premier League players to be voted into the eleven man lineup – the other being his compatriot and Chelsea ace Eden Hazard.

Given the 26 year old’s form in both domestic and European competitions this year, it is no surprise that he made it into the team and became the first ever City player to achieve that feat. Arguably the most surprising aspect of the achievement is that it was not already fulfilled by someone like David Silva, Yaya Toure or Sergio Aguero in a previous season.

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But given the quality of De Bruyne – who has been tipped by many for further greatness and honours, including potential future Ballon d’Or glory – over the past 12 months, nobody can argue.

Even more impressive is that the former Chelsea and Wolfsburg man has actually stepped it up even further this season, going to another level. Despite the fact that he is playing in a deeper midfield role this term, which may have taken most other players a little longer to adjust to having played almost exclusively as a number 10 beforehand, De Bruyne is still having just as much of an impact on his team – if not more so – than ever before.

At times this campaign when City have been struggling to make a breakthrough in games where the opposition have made it difficult for Pep Guardiola’s men, De Bruyne has more often than not been the architect at the heart of the Blues’ midfield.

8 goals and 12 assists in all competitions so far this season might not seem like a particularly standout set of statistics, but it has been his overall contribution to the Guardiola machine that has been so impressive.

Playing in this deeper midfield role has placed a greater onus on the ginger genius to make important tackles and interceptions, as well as constantly pressing and covering ground. The defensive side of his game has certainly improved.

After the horrific challenge that he suffered from Jason Puncheon in a recent clash with Crystal Palace, many suspected that De Bruyne could be ruled out for a short while. Immediately, many began to suggest that that single injury could be the beginning of a downfall in City’s form.

Instead, against all the odds, he started the very next game – a true representation of a player who gives his all, fights until the end and will undoubtedly want to play every minute of every game. What is important is that City ensure that he is well looked after and available for all of their key fixtures in the tail end of the season.

In the long term, the sooner that he signs a contract extension, the better. De Bruyne is someone that Guardiola – and whoever comes next – can build a team around. A team that can dominate in both England and Europe.