Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has been named the 2019/20 Premier League Player of the Season.
The Belgian produced 20 assists during the top flight campaign to equal Thierry Henry’s record and scored 13 times to help Pep Guardiola’s men finish second in the table.
'Different year, same stuff' - De Bruyne
"Kevin is one of the best players I have ever seen in my life. He can do everything, absolutely everything,” the City boss told the club's official website.
“He has something unique. He can run, the vision he has… right now he is the best.
“He is a top, top quality player and we are so proud and happy that he is with us.
“Kevin is so professional, and he loves to play football and he lives for that.
“He’s able to see something special and you have the spaces no-one else can see but even with that he’s still improving and improving.”
Liverpool beat City to the title, to end their 30-year wait for league success, and Jurgen Klopp was named manager of the season.
Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold clinched young player of the season after he played a key role in bringing the championship back to Anfield.
Tottenham attacker Son Heung-min’s strike against Burnley in December – where he ran the length of the pitch – scooped goal of the season.
Xavi leads tributes to De Bruyne after award win
- Xavi, Barcelona and Spain legend
"Pep's teams win as teams, but even the most special sides need that player to look to when they need something special. At Barcelona we had it with Messi and this team Manchester City have it with De Bruyne. Every time he has the ball, you get the feeling that he is going to do something special with it."
- Thierry Henry, Premier League legend and former Belgium coach
“He’s an amazing player, it’s just stupid what we are witnessing, and I hope people in football do realise that the boy is just not normal. His brain is somewhere else, it's just ridiculous. I came across him (with Belgium) and worked with him and he's one of those guys you just have to let play because if you start to understand and comprehend what he's doing, you're going to have a headache. He's on another planet. He is an incredible player, what he shows us is madness!”
- Frank Lampard, Chelsea boss and former City team-mate
“Kevin plays like a superstar. To the naked eye he may not look like a Messi or a Ronaldo – you don’t see a 100 stepovers all the time. But what you do see is an amazing receiver of the ball – look how he swivels – his first touch puts things on a plate. All his decisions are right.”
- Alan Shearer, Premier League and Newcastle legend
"He’s unbelievable, that right foot is absolutely deadly, and he provides ridiculous entertainment. The speed of his feet and to have the ability to score. When you’re a forward, he finds you and the weight of his pass in behind is superb. Whatever it is, he can do it. What a player, what a season, he’s unbelievable.”
Quotes all via Man City's official website
⭐️ Kevin De Bruyne has been named Premier League Player of the Season.
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) August 16, 2020
🏃♂️ 35 appearances
⚽️ 13 goals
🔄 20 assists
🤔 Correct decision?
👇 #EPL #ManCity #MCFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/pJjc0l2PJd
The @premierleague POTY has been remarkable from the very start 🤩
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 16, 2020
Watch the full 'Made in Belgium' documentary on City+!
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