Kevin De Bruyne says he and Phil Foden can play together in the Manchester City midfield after the Belgian stepped up in the Englishman’s absence to score twice and assist another goal in the 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace.
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De Bruyne took over the star role from the benched Foden, who had scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 midweek win over Aston Villa, but 32-year-old has suggested that it is not a question of “either or” with him and Foden in the City midfield as his past partnership with David Silva has shown and his present one with Julian Alvarez.
“I think it’s possible [to play with Foden]” De Bruyne told TNT Sports. “When I started in 17/18, or 16/17 with David, I think nobody thought it was possible. We managed it in a way. David was a little bit an older player and I was more the runner, and maybe it’s going to be a little bit vice versa [with Foden]. But I don’t see why not.
"I don’t think we have done it that much, but if I can do it with Julian [Alvarez], who is a bit more of a typical striker, I guess I could also do it with Phil.”
A look at the stats suggest that there is little difference from when one of De Bruyne or Foden starts, and when both feature from the beginning.
While the average points do not differ comparing when they start together when only one starts, City's win ratio does dip from 74.6 per cent to 67.8 per cent.
How City fare when De Bruyne-Foden play together
| Both starting | One starting | |
| 59 | Matches | 130 |
| 40 | Wins | 97 |
| 13 | Draws | 13 |
| 6 | Losses | 20 |
| 140 | Goals for | 319 |
| 2.4 | Ave goals for | 2.5 |
| 48 | Goals against | 109 |
| 0.8 | Ave goals against | 0.8 |
| 67.8% | Win % | 74.6% |
| 2.3 | Points/match | 2.3 |
Guardiola: De Bruyne one of my best
Pep Guardiola hailed De Bruyne as one of City’s best players under his charge after the win moved the champions level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Man City
MCI
|
38 | +62 | 91 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
38 | +62 | 89 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +45 | 82 |
"For many years he has been one of the best players for our club," Guardiola told BBC Sport. "What he has done in England has been unbelievable. Many goals, assists and consistency. We had four or five months without him and now we need him at the end of the season.
"I think he likes to score goals but I don't know if he enjoys it more to make an assist. He is so generous with that - but he has to continue."
Glasner sees positives
Palace manager Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, was not too disheartened by the defeat, even if it extended their winless run to five matches. It also took to 10 the number of points the team have dropped from winning positions under his guidance, having taken an early lead against City.
"I'm not satisfied with the result but I saw many positive things in our performance," said Glasner. "When we lose 4-2, I don't like to talk about positive things, but in phases of the game we could compete.
"It shows we are able to create chances - but of course when you concede four goals, you lose."
