Aston Villa great McGrath: De Bruyne entering Man City legend status | OneFootball

Aston Villa great Paul McGrath says Kevin de Bruyne is a genuine Manchester City legend after his winner against Chelsea.

McGrath wrote for the Sunday World: "For Manchester City, that was another giant step to the Premier League title.

"And for Kevin de Bruyne the win over Chelsea allowed him to take a giant step too – into the conversation about who is the best footballer around just now.

"I'm just glad I was long gone from defences before this lad arrived in English football.

"He's an absolute class act, horrific for a defender to mark, because he can score goals and make them for others too.

"Most of the really elite players just do one of those things – de Bruyne does both!

"When I was growing up, the late, great Colin Bell was renowned as the best Manchester City player ever.

"Over the last decade, David Silva inserted himself into that category with some brilliant displays in Sky Blue.

"But where does the Belgian de Bruyne stand in the league of City legends now?

"Quite simply de Bruyne has stepped up in such a fashion since Silva left 18 months ago, and that City have hardly missed their Spanish wizard.

"You need your best players to influence the big matches, the ones against your rivals for the titles.

"Remember that Kevin had to leave last year's Champions League final early after a clash with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger. How might that game have turned out with City's main man playing for the full 90 minutes?"