Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged the club's younger players to learn from Kevin De Bruyne following his performance in the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur this evening.
De Bruyne netted his sixth Premier League goal of the season to help City on their way to a 16th consecutive win in the top flight, but it was his display off the ball which garnered special praise from Guardiola in his post-match television interview.
The City boss took that praise even further in the press conference, insisting that he was lost for words following the Belgian's man-of-the-match display.
"I just can say thank you to all my players, and especially Kevin, for the fact that [he is] one of the most talented players, and you see him, how he runs without the ball. He is a good example for the young players, for our academy, for Phil Foden, for Brahim [Diaz]," Guardiola told reporters.
"They know how good Kevin De Bruyne is and when they see how he runs and fights without the ball, that is the best example. He helps us to be a better club, a better institution for the future, because that is what we want to do.
"His performance today... I have no words to describe what he has done with the ball. And overall, without the ball, he is able to make pressure from 40 metres to the goalkeeper. And when that happens, the people who are behind him think 'if that guy runs like this, I have to run as well'."
City's victory takes them 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, having made the best start to a top-flight season in English football history.
Barney Corkhill
