Jack Grealish has shared his admiration for Kevin De Bruyne on a host of occasions but the feeling is mutual.
In fact, the Belgian midfield maestro played a low-key important role in City's record-breaking £100 million move for the Aston Villa skipper courtesy of his texts to Pep Guardiola.
In November 2020, when Grealish produced a stellar performance for England in a 2-0 defeat to Belgium, De Bruyne was so impressed that he dropped his club boss a message.
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As per The Independent, City's talisman told Guardiola they "must" make a move for Grealish and the text he sent was reminiscent of someone messaging their friend about a crush.
De Bruyne was also full of praise for Grealish when asked about him in a press conference.
"I rate him very highly. He's somebody I mentioned before, talking to the teammates at City, in a random conversation," De Bruyne said last year.
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"In England they talked about creative problems in midfield, but he brings that to a team. He deserves a shot."
Grealish, meanwhile, has regularly gushed about his new teammate - describing him as his "favourite ever player" and admitting to being "half starstruck" whenever he plays against him.
Ahead of the Carabao Cup final between Villa and City last year, Grealish continued to show how much of a De Bruyne fanboy he was and said he was hoping to get his shirt at the end of the game.
Now however, after Grealish signed a six-year contract with the Premier League champions, the two will line up in the same side in what is a seriously frightening prospect.
Although Grealish can play in a number of different roles, he is expected to play as a No.8 in the same midfield three as De Bruyne and naturally he can't wait to link up on the pitch.
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"I have spoken about him a good few times. I have always said that apart from Ronaldo and Messi I think he is the best in the world," Grealish told mancity.com after completing his Premier League record transfer.
"I think he has got absolutely everything. He is another one where I don't think people give him credit for how fast he is.
"He normally knocks the ball by defenders, his final ball is obviously unbelievable. That is something that, in the season before I got six assists and I sat down with the manager and I was watching clips of Kevin De Bruyne at Villa. I said that this is what I want to do, I want my end ball to be like his and that is something I practiced on.
"Then, last season I ended up getting 10 assists in 25 or 26 games which is a good return. That is what I based it off, the way he plays and the way he always finds that perfect final ball.
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"I have never played alongside him, I have played against him a few times, got his shirt, but he is one that I cannot wait to play alongside."
Grealish, who inherits the No.10 shirt from club legend Sergio Aguero, is in line to make his debut in Saturday's Community Shield against Leicester City.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football, Pep Guardiola, Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne