Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has praised Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne following the announcement of his retirement, Soccernet.ng reports.
Last week, De Bruyne announced that he would be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, and that has generated a buzz in the football world.
The Belgian has been a big success for the Cityzens, playing a big role in their most successful era. De Bruyne has spent ten years at Manchester City, and he has provided 106 goals and 176 assists in 414 appearances.
However, he has been struggling with injuries and loss of form for the past two seasons, causing him to call time on his Manchester City stay.
READ MORE
- “I was clumsy” – Jamie Carragher responds to Okocha, Mikel Obi over AFCON scuffle
- How Reece James can ‘do more’ as Chelsea’s captain – Mikel Obi
- Mikel Obi shares Victor Osimhen transfer update following Galatasaray visit
In a related development, former Super Eagles captain Mikel, has showered praises at De Bruyne. Recall that Mikel and De Bruyne were teammates at Chelsea before the latter had to leave due to his lack of game time.
Now, years after, Mikel believes that the Manchester City star has written his name in the Premier League's history books.
What Mikel Obi said about Kevin De Bruyne
“Kevin (De Bruyne) has made the Premier League a much better league to watch. Because he's just sheer talent. The vision he has, the way he plays the game, the awareness,” Mikel said on the Obi One Podcast.
“For him to come into the team that had Yaya Toure, and Fernandinho and start performing the way he did straight away, just playing game after game, creating those assists and scoring goals is great. He has been fantastic for over a decade. He's been a huge part of the success that City has had.
“This is the only player that you can say without him, City would struggle. Because he is that good.
“I'm not a City fan, but it's sad to see such a legend, such an absolutely fantastic player leaving the Premier League.
“Every time I watch City play, he's always a joy to watch. The way he touches the ball, the way he passes the ball….was also fantastic.
“I think he's going to be mentioned among the top three best midfielders in Premier League history alongside Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard.
“Kevin De Bruyne is in the conversation. I think he's top two or three for sure….I think he's above one or two of those players.
“The trophies he's won with City, he won the Premier League four times in a row with City, I don't think that's going to be repeated, maybe not in our lifetime. The League is so difficult and everybody is struggling to get into the top four. It's going to be very difficult to replace De Bruyne.
Although De Bruyne's contract will expire at the end of the season, he will likely extend his current by a few weeks so he can play in the Club World Cup. The 33-year-old has been linked with a transfer to the MLS and Saudi Arabia, but he is expected to announce his next destination soon.
