Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he understands the buzz around Erling Haaland's arrival at Manchester City.
It wouldn’t be a bold claim that Manchester City supporters have not been as unanimously buzzing about a signing as they have been since Erling Haaland’s arrival.
Many have compared the feeling to when Robinho sealed a sensational switch to the east side of Manchester in 2008 from Real Madrid.
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However, there is a romanticism associated with Haaland's arrival owing to his lifelong connection to the club his father Alf-Inge represented between 2000-03.
The 22-year-old has revealed since he signed for the Premier League champions he has supported Manchester City growing up and has followed the club under Pep Guardiola.
Off the back of back-to-back league triumphs, City have added the Leeds-born forward to their star-studded ranks, with Haaland joining as one of the most feared strikers in world football.
Boasting a record of 86 goals in 89 outings for Borussia Dortmund, the numbers speak for themselves about how frighteningly clinical Haaland has been in front of goal in recent years.
The striking sensation gave an insight into what Manchester City fans have been dying to witness next season against Bayern Munich at the weekend.
He scored the winner after tapping home from Jack Grealish's square ball across the six-yard box to get himself off the mark in sky blue just 12 minutes into his debut.
With hopes rising amongst the Manchester City faithful on the damage Haaland can cause next term, Kevin De Bruyne believes it is only natural for the club's supporters to place their bets on the young striker.
“I think it’s normal for the fans to be excited about him (Haaland), you just look at his track record as a striker and he’s already one of the best in the world," De Bruyne said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“If you sign someone like that then there is going to be a lot of expectation, but it doesn’t feel like he’s feeling the pressure so far.”
City have enjoyed a productive summer in terms of incomings and have replenished funds with a number of high-profile sales, including Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.
On the new boys in town, De Bruyne added: “I've been really impressed with the new signings.
"They all bring a little bit of quality to the squad and seem to have a good rhythm in their game already.
"(Julian) Alvarez looks very sharp, Stefan (Ortega) played a good game in Houston (against Club America) and looks ready.”
The Belgium international has looked sharp in pre-season and looks set to kick on from a stellar campaign as Manchester City look to challenge on all fronts again under Guardiola.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Pep Guardiola, Kalvin Phillips, Julian Alvarez, Stefan Ortega, Bayern Munich
Srinivas Sadhanand