Pep Guardiola challenged Kevin De Bruyne to step up another level despite his important goal as Manchester City beat Brighton in the Premier League to bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool.
The Manchester City midfielder scored a brilliant long-range strike against Brighton on Saturday afternoon to secure a 3-1 win. He has also provided nine assists in his 10 Premier League games this campaign.
Only City team-mate Erling Haaland has had more top flight goal involvement’s than De Bruyne’s two goals and nine assists this season.
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi said De Bruyne’s superb curling 25-yard effort 15 minutes from time “closed the game” as City won 3-1 on Saturday.
He would also have had another assist if Riyad Mahrez had taken a clear chance to put City three up, just before Leandro Trossard pulled one back for the visitors.
“He can be better. He’s not playing at his top level, Kevin, not yet,” Guardiola said after the match. “He makes a fantastic level but he’s not playing at his best. He knows, I don’t have to tell him. His dynamic is still not perfect. He knows that, I spoke with him. The goal is outstanding; thanks to him we didn’t suffer the last 15-20 minutes.”
De Bruyne on top form, coupled with striker Haaland at his present level is a worrying thought for City’s Premier League rivals.
The club have now scored 601 top flight goals since Guardiola arrived in 2016.
Only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have presided over teams who have scored more, but Guardiola says he will not be around as long as the legendary former Manchester United and Arsenal managers.
However, the Spaniard does accept it is an achievement of which to be proud.
“Have you been here seven years, watching our games?” he said. “Six hundred goals. You should have had a ticket. We have scored a lot of goals in this time.
“It is a compliment to the club and the players. If you don’t have fantastic players, you can’t score 600 goals.”
