In a recent discussion on The Overlap’s Stick To Football, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher stirred debate by naming Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League’s best player of this decade, over the prolific goalscorer Erling Haaland.
Kevin De Bruyne Tops Carragher’s List of Premier League Greats This Decade
Despite Haaland’s record-shattering performances and his growing reputation as one of the world’s top strikers, Carragher believes De Bruyne’s consistent brilliance places him at the pinnacle.
Erling Haaland has indeed taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival, scoring goals at an astonishing rate.
With 12 goals in just 11 Premier League games this season and on track to secure his third consecutive Golden Boot, Haaland’s impact on Manchester City has been nothing short of extraordinary.
His potential new contract, set to extend his stay until 2029, suggests more records could tumble in the coming years.
However, Carragher argues that Kevin De Bruyne has been the standout performer of the last decade.
“If I could change [my pick for the best player in the 2010s], I would go [Kevin] De Bruyne for this one because I think this has been De Bruyne’s time, the last four years I think,” Carragher stated.
The Belgian midfielder’s vision, creativity, and leadership have been instrumental in City’s success, securing four consecutive Premier League titles.
Gary Neville, co-hosting the show, initially leaned towards Haaland, emphasizing the Norwegian’s incredible goal-scoring record and his contribution to City’s treble-winning season.
However, Carragher was steadfast in his praise for De Bruyne, citing his all-round influence and consistent performances over the years.
Carragher has long admired De Bruyne, previously ranking him as the second-greatest foreign player in Premier League history, behind Thierry Henry. He also asserted that De Bruyne is a guaranteed fixture in any all-time Premier League XI.
De Bruyne’s stats from the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 campaigns further underscore Carragher’s point.
With 32 goals and 49 assists in 95 starts for City since 2020, his contributions have been pivotal in their dominance of English football.
While Haaland’s rise as City’s talisman since his arrival in 2022 is undeniable, Carragher’s endorsement of De Bruyne highlights the Belgian’s sustained excellence and invaluable role in Manchester City’s continued success.
As the debate continues, fans and pundits alike will keenly watch both players as they etch their names into Premier League history.
