During his time at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne left a mark on the club and the Premier League like no other. Throughout his 422 appearances for City, De Bruyne’s drive, will to win, exquisite passes, ability with both feet and goals have firmly established him as a City and Premier League legend. Another side effect of De Bruyne’s brilliance is that he has inspired the next generation of players to try and match his feats. One such player is Elliot Anderson. Manchester City’s new signing has spoken on the influence that De Bruyne has had on him. If Anderson can make half the impact that De Bruyne did at Manchester City, he’ll be on his way to emulating his hero.

Elliot Anderson has taken inspiration from Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne.

Yesterday, Manchester City finally unveiled Elliot Anderson. The England international spoke on a wide range of topics after finally making his move to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders official. One of those was the inspiration that Anderson has taken from Kevin De Bruyne. Anderson revealed that De Bruyne was a player that he looked up to as he rose through the ranks at Newcastle, and he is overjoyed to play at the club that De Bruyne starred for. He explained: “I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I’ve hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years. As I came up through the academy at Newcastle, I always wanted to play like him.“

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“I’ve watched him all the time and to be sat here in the same team he was doing it for is so special.“

You can see the similarities between Elliot Anderson and De Bruyne’s games, however Elliot Anderson is his own player.

Watching Elliot Anderson in full flight, you can see the similarities between him and Kevin De Bruyne. At his peak, De Bruyne would drive at opponents with his powerful dribbling from midfield. Anderson has this characteristic. Also, when Anderson plays a cross from the right-hand channel, there is a De Bruyne-esque quality to this aspect of Elliot Anderson’s play.

However, Elliot Anderson is his own player and not a De Bruyne replacement. While Anderson spoke of the influence that De Bruyne has had on him as a player, it would be unfair to place that level of expectation on Manchester City’s newest midfielder. Anderson will forge his own path and legacy at Manchester City. He is contracted to the club until 2031 and how Anderson’s City career unfolds will be well worth watching.

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Kevin De Bruyne left a legacy like no other on Manchester City and the Premier League. Elliot Anderson is one player, and there will be many others, who have taken inspiration from one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Anderson has followed in De Bruyne’s footsteps by signing for City, and now it is hoped he can lead City to success like De Bruyne did during his glittering spell at the club.