In his 400th game for Manchester City Kevin De Bruyne proved that he still has a role to play | OneFootball

Yesterday Kevin De Bruyne played his 400th game for Manchester City in their 4-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad. De Bruyne’s City career has been filled with highlights as his record with Manchester City suggests. Across his 400 appearances for City, De Bruyne has scored 104 goals and contributed 172 assists. Those are remarkable numbers. He picked up another assist yesterday as he set Phil Foden for City’s fourth goal yesterday. While it wasn’t a vintage Kevin De Bruyne performance against West Ham, the Belgian international showed he still has a pivotal role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side.

To say this season has been a battle for Kevin De Bruyne would be an understatement. He has battled through injury and fitness issues since Manchester City’s nil-all draw with Inter Milan in September. It’s fair to say he isn’t the player he once was. That’s not a surprise given that he is now 33 years of age. De Bruyne is also battle-scarred, as the legacy of injuries and long seasons are clear to see. But he still has a pivotal role to play for Manchester City for the remainder of this season and potentially beyond. He showed that in his 400th game for the club yesterday.

De Bruyne showed glimpses of brilliance yesterday against West Ham. He also looked like he was finally getting over the fitness issues that have plagued him throughout this season. The Belgian international moved around the pitch better and also picked up his obligatory assist yesterday. As Manchester City chase a top four finish this season De Bruyne will be crucial in that hunt. But when City begin their rebuild next summer he could also play a crucial role in that.

As Pep Guardiola’s side begins their rebuild they will need experienced players to show City’s new players the Pep Guardiola way. Kevin De Bruyne could play an integral role in that. The Belgian international knows the workings of his manager almost better than anyone else. As question marks surround De Bruyne’s future there could be a crucial role for him to play in Manchester City’s rebuild. The questions surrounding De Bruyne’s future will be answered in the coming months. But he has a role to play for City for this season and potentially beyond.

Kevin De Bruyne made his 400th appearance for Manchester City yesterday. It was a special moment in a special players illustrious career. But De Bruyne showed yesterday that he still has a pivotal role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side. Come the final whistle at the Etihad that was clear to see.