Gray and Keys: De Bruyne adds quality to City

Sport360 staff 06:57 29/08/2015
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  • New addition: De Bruyne.

    Manchester City have made a dream start to the season and look to be about to add Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg for what is already an impressive squad for an astronomical transfer fee thought to be £54 million (Dh305m).

    Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIn Sports’ Premier League coverage discuss whether he is worth that sort of money and what he brings to the party.

    Andy Gray: Is Kevin De Bruyne worth £54m? For any club other than Manchester City the answer would probably be no.

    Manuel Pellegrini has obviously seen something in this boy but I have to say this kind of money, and if you believe the rumours he will be earning something in the region of £250,000-a-week (Dh1.4bn), represents a remarkable turnaround in fortune for a player Jose Mourinho thought wasn’t strong enough, or brave enough when he was at Chelsea.

    But in the football world you are only worth as much as someone is willing to pay. I remain a little cautious as to whether he has improved to the extent that he attracts the second-highest transfer fee in Premier League history but he is a creator of chances and he provides the answer to the missing link on the right hand side for City.

    Jesus Navas will be the one to make way. He might feel hard done by because he is very quick but the fact remains that his final ball and his ability to score goals is sadly lacking. So in that respect De Bruyne is exactly what City are looking for in that he creates a lot of chances and he can score goals, as he proved at Wolfsburg last season.

    The one concern I would have about this boy is whether he can handle the pressure that will come with this high profile, massive money, deal. People won’t forget that Mourinho felt he couldn’t entirely trust him in the Premier League not so long ago.

    With De Bruyne on board, if you look at the team the one advantage they have over their main rivals is that they have two quality footballers for every position which means if they pick up injuries they have options, perhaps with the exception of Yaya Toure and David Silva.

    So when De Bruyne joins, Pellegrini will be a very happy man. The signings he has made are quality and allows him to play Silva in the area he much prefers which is the central area of the pitch.

    They are also moving the ball around the pitch a lot quicker than last season when they gave teams the chance to get back into the game. This year they are moving the ball with pace and real belief. They can notch up a club record of wins against Watford and I can’t see anything but a victory for Pellegrini’s side. 3-0.

    Richard Keys: What would concern me slightly if I was a Manchester City fan would be what Mourinho said about him being a destablising influence around the club if he is not being picked week in, week out.

    Having said that, Andy is right in that he would appear to be the answer to City’s problems on the right where Navas just isn’t cutting the mustard, but I can’t say I am entirely convinced De Bruyne is as good as this transfer fee would suggest.

    The one thing you can be certain of is that he will make this side even better which means they will be a formidable force. I have always doubted the hunger that City’s big name players have but I have to admit that they all look like they are at it so far and De Bruyne will only add to their strength in depth.

    Right now you would say that City could sweep the board but you just know that something will happen. But, for now, they look as good as any team and I think Watford could be in for a torrid afternoon. I am with Andy on this, 3-0.

    Newcastle v Arsenal

    Difficult week: Wenger.

    AG: Arsenal’s start to the season has been a little disjointed but they will be too good for Newcastle. So far in the Premier League there has, amazingly, been only been six home wins and I can’t see Newcastle changing that. 1-2.

    RK: Newcastle did a job against Man United last week but Arsenal are a better side than United. Home advantage is always a plus for Newcastle but the Gunners will have too much for them. 1-2.

    Liverpool v West Ham

    Star man: Coutinho.

    AG: Home banker for me. West Ham started with a surprise win against Arsenal but it’s been downhill since then. 2-0 home win.

    RK: There are still lots of unanswered questions at Liverpool where Philippe Coutinho looks a million miles better than the rest of them. If Liverpool want to hang on to him they need to start winning games and they will edge this. 2-1.

    Aston Villa v Sunderland

    Defensive concerns: Advocaat.

    AG: I thought Villa were a bit unlucky against Crystal Palace last week. They are playing okay and the new players that have been brought into the club are starting to gel which always takes a bit of time. Sunderland were a bit more spirited against Swansea last week but they will just lose out at Villa Park. 1-0.

    RK: Something stirred at Sunderland last week and there is no doubt Dick Advocaat can organise a solid defensive unit. If they fancy it Sunderland can get something out of this against a Villa side I really can’t work out. 1-1.

    Bournemouth v Leicester City

    Confidence flowing: Bournemouth.

    AG: Bournemouth have done well so far and after beating West Ham last week they will feel confident about getting a win at home and I think they might nick an entertaining game 3-2.

    RK: Leicester continue to impress and Bournemouth had a terrific result against West Ham so I can’t really separate these two. 1-1.

    Chelsea v Crystal Palace

    Expected to win: Mourinho.

    AG: Chelsea were good against West Brom and when they went down to 10 men they showed what they are good at –defending a lead. Palace always make life difficult for Chelsea but I think Mourinho’s side will win this 2-1.

    RK: I like Palace but Chelsea will be too good for them. An ordinary day at the office for Mourinho. 2-0.

    Tottenham v Everton

    Short of goals: Kane.

    AG: This is always a close game and Tottenham have a habit of just shading it by the odd goal but I think Everton might get something. I remain unconvinced by Spurs which is why I am going for a 1-1 draw.

    RK: I am still waiting for Spurs to show me what they are about this year because so far I have seen absolutely nothing. If Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen aren’t scoring I don’t see where they are going to get their goals. 1-2.

    Stoke v West Brom

    Danger man: Shaqiri.

    AG: The Baggies are incredibly well organised and difficult to play against and always have a chance of nicking a decisive goal. I think they will score but because it is at home I think Stoke will just edge this 2-1.

    RK: A fascinating game because West Brom remind me of Stoke last season – difficult to beat. They looked decent against Chelsea last week but Stoke is a difficult place to go so I’ll go 0-0.

    Southampton v Norwich

    Struggling: Southampton.

    AG: A month before the season started I would be backing Southampton all day long but they have not started well and have just gone out of the Europa League. Norwich have responded to their opening game defeat and did well to draw with Stoke last week. They’ll fancy this but I can see it ending 2-2.

    RK: I thought Southampton would find it difficult to replicate last year but I never imagined they would struggle as much as they have. Norwich seem to be more together as a unit and I can see them getting a result here. 1-2

    Swansea v Man United

    Scoring again: Rooney.

    AG: I like Swansea and they way they go about their game and this will be a huge test for United but I think with Wayne Rooney back on the goal trail – I know Club Brugge weren’t the biggest test but it doesn’t matter who you score against – I can see them winning this. 1-2.

    RK: This will show us exactly how good United are. Rooney got goals against the Dog and Duck…sorry Club Brugge last week but Swansea will be a much tougher proposition. 2-2.

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