Guardiola: ´Exceptional´ De Bruyne getting even better

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Kevin De Bruyne is only going to improve following his impressive recent goalscoring form.

The midfield maestro heads into Wednesday’s showdown with Brentford having found the net three times in City’s past three Premier League outings.

That included a brace in the 7-0 rout of Leeds United on December 14, with no player on target more often in the English top flight since then.

De Bruyne, who also scored the opener in the Premier League leaders’ entertaining 6-3 win over Leicester City on December 26, has been a revelation since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in August 2015.

Indeed, no player has registered more assists (77) or created more chances (572) than the Belgium international over the past six years.

Guardiola says the recent surge in De Bruyne’s performances has been evident following a difficult spell earlier this season.

“He is getting better, by far,” the Man City boss said. “He has something unique in the world. We know that he is an exceptional player. 

“He struggled in the beginning of the season, and now is much, much better. 

“The game against Leeds was really good, and [against Leicester] he played a really, really good home game. 

“He is a fighter and a guy who creates goals and assists. We know it.”

Full of momentum, City travel to the Brentford Community Stadium seeking a 10th successive league victory.

Nevertheless, Guardiola insists his side cannot take anything for granted against the promoted Bees, who have already beaten Arsenal, drawn with Liverpool and given Chelsea a scare during their maiden Premier League campaign.

“They made an incredible start of the season. They are doing really well,” he added.

“I saw the game against Chelsea; they lost, but they were incredible. They drew against Liverpool, they beat Arsenal. [They are a] top team.”