It’s safe to say that Kevin De Bruyne looked struggled to find form during the first half of last season.
Considering the midfield maestro suffered a horrific facial injury in the 2020/21 Champions League final - coupled with his ankle issues at Euro 2020 - some suggested that his fitness worries had finally caught up with him.
The Belgian international’s passing was undeniably lacklustre, while it seemed as if he lacked his usual engine to go on his signature lung-bursting runs for a number of months.
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Many even went as far as to suggest that City’s most in-form midfield trio excluded De Bruyne.
While the 31-year-old silenced his critics by emerging as the division’s outright best player during the second half of the previous term, it seems as if he has started the 2022/23 like a house on fire from the get-go.
In the Sky Blues’ latest 4-0 thumping of AFC Bournemouth, De Bruyne was at his brilliant best, eventually taking home the Man of the Match award.
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The ex-Wolfsburg superstar first caused mayhem by doubling the hosts’ deal with a devastating outside-the-boot strike in the 31st minute.
However, the two-time PFA Player of the Year was only getting warmed up, as he proceeded to set Phil Foden up’s first goal of the new season with an immaculate through ball.
Taking into account his spellbinding assist against West Ham recently as well, De Bruyne has explained why a well-earned rest in the summer drove him to kickstart the new season in style.
"I had a good summer, I had a good break. I needed to relax, travel, have some fun.
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"Then I came back and I felt ready to start again! I know I'm not at my top yet, but I'm feeling good and the team is performing well so, ready to go,” he said.
Considering the enigmatic midfielder was allowed to take a breather after his involvement in the UEFA Nations League for Belgium this summer, he was afforded a longer rest period than usual.
To add to that, the fact that the Qatar World Cup will get underway in November also allowed a host of players to sit back and relax for once during the off-season.
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Ultimately, a rested and recuperated De Bruyne has looked sharp as a tack so far, and could break a whole host of records come the end of the season.
He already has one goal and two assists in his opening two Premier League games.
His delicious pass through to Erling Haaland is a notable highlight. Piercing a gap in the West Ham backline and sending the Norwegian in on goal for his second of the game.
More recently, his outside-of-the-boot finish is another example of his undeniable brilliance.
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That is recognised worldwide too, with De Bruyne receiving his seventh Ballon d'Or nomination earlier last week.
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / AlamyTopics: Manchester City, Premier League