Kevin De Bruyne’s latest challenge shows how far Man City have come in six months – Joe Bray

What a distinction six months makes.

On the finish of the prolonged 2019/20 season, Manchester Metropolis had didn’t retain their Premier League title, and had exited the Champions League in disappointing circumstances as soon as once more. The marketing campaign will likely be remembered, nevertheless, for the person brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian equalled the Premier League document for assists in a season, successful the PFA Participant of the Yr, Premier League Participant of the Season and City’s Participant of the Season with relative ease.

De Bruyne was head and shoulders above another participant within the Premier League, and deservedly obtained recognition for it on the finish of the marketing campaign. He began this season in related kind, with ten assists and three objectives in 19 appearances as accidents have barely hampered his momentum.

In his intervals of absence, although, there was an entire beginning XI of Metropolis gamers who’re mounting arguments to hassle Metropolis’s finish of season awards.

Within the early PFA award betting, De Bruyne is third favorite, with Manchester United’s good Bruno Fernandes the almost certainly with the bookmakers, adopted by Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan’s latest type of 11 objectives in 12 Premier League outings between December and February has taken his long-standing high quality into the mainstream dialog. In De Bruyne’s absence by harm, it was Gundogan who took the artistic mantle and stored Metropolis’s successful run going.

Alongside Gundogan was Bernardo, who has rediscovered his membership participant of the season type of two years in the past. Bernardo has proven his qualities in defensive midfield, attacking midfield, on the wings and as a false 9. De Bruyne was undroppable when he obtained injured, now Bernardo and Gundogan are giving him actual competitors for taking part in time.

The win at Borussia Monchengladbach this week noticed Joao Cancelo present his unbelievable versatility from full-back, with two excellent crosses to create Metropolis’s two objectives. Cancelo has redefined the full-back position this season, and has been key to Metropolis’s kind. He ought to undoubtedly be within the Participant of the Yr dialog. In De Bruyne’s absence, Cancelo changed a few of his creativity from the deep midfield space.

That is three gamers earlier than the fan’s favorite for the Metropolis accolade has even been talked about. Ruben Dias.

The Portuguese centre-back has had as transformative an impact on Metropolis’s defence as Virgil Van Dijk had for Liverpool after they received the Champions League and Premier League. The Dutchman received the PFA award in 2019 regardless of Metropolis lifting the title. With a lot competitors among the many Metropolis squad, Dias has been essentially the most constant, elevating performances of his fellow defenders.

Talking of centre-backs, John Stones would definitely win a ‘Most Improved’ award, however ought to be he in rivalry for Metropolis’s finish of season finest performer all spherical? Stones has been near-perfect this season, forcing Aymeric Laporte out of the beginning line up for lengthy intervals. Behind him, Ederson has been again to his personal finest, making some essential saves and retaining a variety of essential clear sheets. Is that sufficient for consideration?

The goalkeeper ought to definitely be favorite to be included within the PFA Staff of the Yr.

Different gamers who’ve been talked about as potential contenders – for the membership award no less than – have been Kyle Walker, Rodri, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden. All 4 have been remarkably constant, performing properly of their positions – or filling in admirably out of place – as Guardiola handled all of Metropolis’s numerous harm issues.

So together with De Bruyne, Metropolis may subject a makeshift beginning XI filled with gamers worthy of consideration for finish of season recognition.

It is a far cry from final season’s one-horse race – and displays simply how dominant Metropolis have been to take management of this season.