Gary Neville insists Kevin De Bruyne is the best player the Premier League has ever seen in his position – while Roy Keane hails ‘amazing’ Man City star

Kevin De Bruyne‘s final Manchester derby ended in a dismal 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday – but the iconic City midfielder was hailed as one of the greatest players in Premier League history by Sky Sports pundits after the full-time whistle.

The Belgian, 33, announced earlier this week that he will leave City at the end of the season, drawing the curtain on a decade-long spell in which he has redefined the art of midfield play in English football.

His numbers speak for themselves. De Bruyne has recorded 118 Premier League assists – a tally bettered only by Ryan Giggs – and boasts the best minutes-per-assist ratio in the competition’s history, setting up a goal every 177 minutes.

He has been directly involved in a goal or assist every 111 minutes in his Premier League career, putting him clear of other greats such as Frank Lampard (175), Cesc Fabregas (164), and David Silva (157).

After Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Manchester United, Gary Neville described De Bruyne as ‘the best player the Premier League has ever seen in his position’.

But Roy Keane was first to heap praise on the Belgian maestro.

After the game, which ended 0-0, De Bruyne was seen waving to Man City fans at Old Trafford

‘I think the stats,’ Keane said when asked what made De Bruyne special. ‘We’ve been sitting here today frustrated about lack of goal action and putting the ball in the back of the net. He done that as a midfielder and his assists were absolutely fantastic.

‘I think he made everything look easy. When he’s in possession, he always looks like he’s in total control. Of course, it’s been difficult the last year or two with injuries. But when he was in his prime, I think as good as any midfielder in the Premier League, particularly from an attacking point of view. And his stats there, with the assists, plus the goals, are, I think, pretty amazing.’

Asked whether De Bruyne made his all-time Premier League XI, Keane replied: ‘I’d have him in there.’

Gary Neville went even further – not only confirming he would pick him in an all-time Premier League XI, but calling him the best in his role the league has ever produced.

‘He’s not your classic central midfield player or a right winger or a number 10,’ Neville said. ‘He plays in that sort of right pocket. And the players that he reminds me of when I watch him are David Beckham and Steven Gerrard in terms of the crosses that he puts in. And these players are some of the best players we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.

‘Kevin De Bruyne would be in my all-time Premier League XI as well. I think he’s been the best player in the Premier League for the last seven or eight years. And he puts crosses into a box that make defenders not know whether to want to actually touch it, leave it, because it’s in an area whereby it’s so dangerous in between you and the goalkeeper.

‘You know exactly what he’s going to do. He’s predictable, actually, in terms of reading. So was Beckham and Gerrard. But the problem is you still can’t do anything about it because the precision and the accuracy is so good. He’s an absolute world-class player. And the delivery for me, that’s something every time I watched him, was just a thing of beauty.’

Neville continued: ‘That stat of the minutes per goal, 111, is so much greater than the rest if you look at it. It’s incredible, this contribution to games. Kevin De Bruyne played in that right channel, quite methodically. However, if the team needed it he would then widen himself and go and get on the ball and make crosses into the box.

Speaking on Sky Sports on Sunday, Gary Neville hailed De Bruyne as Premier League great

Former Man United midfielder Roy Keane was also full of praise for City legend De Bruyne

‘And he would always be that player who would do what the team needed to win a game. I always felt he was a difference-maker. Whereas the players you’ve mentioned – David Silva and Yaya Toure – amazing players but they weren’t difference-makers, like De Bruyne. They could impact the game but De Bruyne would win City so many games. The pressure he put on with his crosses and passes was unbelievable.’

Neville was speaking after former City defender Micah Richards, who played alongside both Toure and Silva, had said: ‘I thought they were the best players, but I think it’s just out of them over this last couple of seasons. David Silva was more of a touch technician, get the ball deep and play through the lines. Yaya Toure was so good on the ball, he could burst forward and play a pass. But Kevin De Bruyne, his numbers are just different gravy. What a player he’s been. An absolute legend.’

De Bruyne confirmed his impending departure in an emotional letter posted to social media on Friday, writing: ‘Dear Manchester, Seeing this you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.

‘Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here, and you deserve to hear it from me first.

‘Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing this dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won EVERYTHING.

‘Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are all grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts.

‘This will always be our HOME.

Micah Richards said of 33-year-old De Bruyne: ‘What a player he’s been. An absolute legend’

‘We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.

‘Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.

‘Let’s enjoy these last moments together!’

‘Much love, KDB.’

Summarising on Sunday evening, Neville declared: ‘He’s done everything that you could ever ask for in the Premier League. He’s right at the very top.’