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Kevin De Bruyne says new No 10 role will give him more influence over Manchester City attack

Kevin De Bruyne - PA
Kevin De Bruyne - PA

Kevin De Bruyne admits it is impossible for him to replace David Silva, but his new No 10 role will give him even more influence on the way Manchester City attack.

The Belgium midfielder made his 20 assists last season - equalling Thierry Henry’s record - from a deeper position but Pep Guardiola played him in a more advanced role in City’s first match of the season as he coped with injuries and illness.

De Bruyne’s masterclass included scoring a penalty, which he won himself, splitting the Wolves defence in the build-up to Phil Foden’s goal, then claiming an assist when he challenged Willy Boly and the ball ricocheted off his shins.

It still rankles that an assist was harshly taken off him by a deflection against Arsenal last season, meaning he could not overtake Henry. “Maybe because I start the season on zero they'll give me this one,” he said.

De Bruyne’s role meant a new-look City in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fernandinho and Rodri protecting the backline and allowing their team’s chief creator to be further up the field.

“Wolves played with a back three and the manager wanted to press them high, three-against-three and maybe play a bit more secure with two defensive midfielders,” said De Bruyne. “We have so many attacking players, I can slot them in and they can do the rest like for the second goal.

“David was an incredible player for us and I cannot recreate what he did, I have to play my game and help the team in the way I always try to do. Everyone has to play their own quality and the team did that.

“It will be difficult at times because David was the master of the tight spaces but I think we have a few players with Phil, Bernardo (Silva), Riyad (Mahrez), Raheem (Sterling), I think people can do the job but he is a big miss inside and outside the pitch.”

De Bruyne is now seeing a tough battle to stay in touch with Liverpool, who have started their title defence with two wins. City’s European run last season means their start has been delayed and they are already catching up.

“It's obviously hard,” he said. “It's a little bit of a weird season and we know we have to start well. Wolves have been a bogey team for us in the last couple of seasons so to come here and put on this performance is encouraging because we are missing a few players.

“We know if the pace is the same as the last three years (against Liverpool) it will be a hard job but we want to fight against them, we need to fight against them and we make each other better and that is what sport is all about for me.”