Manchester City Boosted by De Bruyne's Return in Pursuit of Historic Treble Repeat

“You just can’t see them losing at the moment, can you?” Horton remarked, reflecting on the City’s impressive unbeaten streak and recent Club World Cup triumph.  

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, Horton expressed his admiration for De Bruyne’s talents, labelling him as one of the best midfielders in the world. He is confident the return of Belgium playmaker De Bruyne is a ‘Brucie Bonus’ in their quest to make history and become the first team to win a memorable treble in successive seasons.  

De Bruyne’s Impact

Having recently recovered from a five-month absence due to a hamstring injury, De Bruyne made an immediate impression against Newcastle United, contributing with a goal and an assist. Horton praised De Bruyne’s adaptability and said he is a player with great vision, passing skills, and goal-scoring ability. 

Team Unity 

The former City boss also commented on De Bruyne’s humility and team-oriented attitude, highlighting the lack of egos within Pep Guardiola’s squad. “To be honest, I could say that about most of the City team,” Horton said, emphasising the collective spirit fostered by Guardiola.  

Resurgence and Optimism  

Horton was upbeat about City's chances as they looked back on their comeback from a brief slump earlier in the season, particularly with the impending return of Erling Haaland, the Premier League's top scorer from the previous year. “With De Bruyne and Haaland back, they’ve certainly got a very good chance,” Horton remarked, hinting at City’s hunger for more silverware.  

City’s Sublime Performance 

Horton has been amazed by City's resilience in the face of hardship. Horton has been involved in professional football for more than 2000 games as a player and manager. He cited a conversation he had with former manager David Pleat, who had hailed City's recent performances as "perfect football".