Three things learnt as Manchester City’s second-half display swept past Southampton

Add as preferred source on Google

Kevin de Bruyne the architect of City’s counter-attack

Another fixture, another assist as far as Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne is concerned.

Despite suffering a mid-season drop of form after an explosive star to the current campaign, the young Belgian midfielder is finishing the season strong with another strong display on Saturday.

Two assists took his tally to 13 for the season – one more than his closest competitor, Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen – and took his tally to 42 since 2014, the exact same as Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

It’s not bad company for the 25-year-old to be in but it’s justified, as De Bruyne was unstoppable against the Saints, making 11 crosses, creating four chances and leading the midfield with 42 passes.

There’s no doubt about it, City’s midfield quartet of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling is extremely exciting, particularly when considering the forward options of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus; the pace, trickery and intelligence is enough to terrify any defence.

If Pep Guardiola can recruit a world-class defender or two – and if Ilkay Gundogan can make a safe return to fitness over the summer – they will be a force to be reckoned with next season.