Rodri Names Kevin De Bruyne as One of Premier League’s All-Time Best Players
Rodri, Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, has shared his admiration for the best players he’s played alongside during his time at the club. Signed from Atletico Madrid for £62m in the 2019 summer transfer window, Rodri has made 260 appearances for City across all competitions, cementing himself as one of the team’s most important players.
While his season has been cut short by a knee injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September, Rodri is still making headlines. Reflecting on his time at City, the Spaniard recently named the player he considers the best he’s ever shared a dressing room with during a conversation on The Rest Is Football podcast.
Rodri’s Top Pick: Kevin De Bruyne
When asked to identify the best player he has played with at City, Rodri didn’t hesitate to highlight Kevin De Bruyne, also praising David Silva.
“I think Kevin. Kevin [De Bruyne], David [Silva],” Rodri revealed. “I would say David because he’s my friend also, but he’s unbelievable for me. Sometimes in Spain, he hasn’t the credit that he has in England. But I think Kevin will be, for me, let’s say top three best players in the history of the league.”
De Bruyne’s Legacy
Rodri isn’t alone in his praise. Chelsea legend Frank Lampard also hailed De Bruyne earlier this year, underscoring the Belgian’s brilliance and consistency.
“He’s so unique in terms of hitting his top levels so regularly,” Lampard said in February. “His understanding of the game, the goals he scores, his work ethic for the team… We’ve all seen him become one of the greatest midfield players in the Premier League era, for sure.”
De Bruyne, who joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £54m, has been pivotal to the club’s success, delivering an astonishing 103 goals and 170 assists in 392 appearances. He has also played a critical role in securing 19 trophies for the club.
For comparison, David Silva made 436 appearances for City, contributing 77 goals, 131 assists, and 14 trophies. Despite Silva’s magic on the pitch, De Bruyne’s relentless contributions have made him a defining figure of City’s recent dominance.
De Bruyne’s Impact This Season
The 33-year-old has been sidelined for much of the current season due to injury, limiting his ability to influence City’s campaign. However, Rodri’s endorsement reinforces De Bruyne’s reputation as one of the league’s greatest-ever players.
Should De Bruyne regain full fitness and lead City to another title, his case as the Premier League’s greatest midfielder would only grow stronger, solidifying his legacy as a footballing icon.
