Update: |Paul Scholes verdict on Kevin De Bruyne speaks volumes after Man City exit decision News

The long-serving Manchester City playmaker will leave the Etihad Stadium after 10 memorable years this summer.

Paul Scholes reckons Kevin De Bruyne deserves his place among the Premier League’s all-time greats.

De Bruyne – who has announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season – has won six top-flight titles at the Etihad Stadium.

Add it to five League Cup successes, two FA Cups and the Champions League trophy, too, the Belgian is widely considered as being one of the best players of the Premier League’s modern era.

With it still being unknown whether the 33-year-old will play next, De Bruyne has had plenty of links to the MLS and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

But Scholes, who himself is a huge fan of De Bruyne’s capabilities, has admitted many aspects of the midfielder’s game separate him from the rest of the pack.

“Kevin De Bruyne is a top, top player and for him to be in those positions constantly to know what’s around you [must not be underestimated],” he told Optus Sport.

“He couldn’t only do that, he can do this as well, he has drive, determination, athleticism and once you’ve got to that point you would have to calmness about you and he has got that, whether it was a pass or a finish like we have just seen and he reminds me in a way of [Frank] Lampard where he could win games for you from midfield.”

The Manchester United great went on: “He has done that on numerous occasions. That is the difference between the very top players and players who are mid-range – they do it, week-in, week-out.

“They get you over the line and they are clutch, they do it when they are required in big games when needed and they step up to the plate.

“Kevin De Bruyne has done that for such a long time, like Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard, [David] Beckham or whoever else may be. He’s one of the very best to do it.”

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