Zabaleta: De Bruyne took us to another level | OneFootball

Pablo Zabaleta says the initial questioning of the fee City paid for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015 turned from doubt to delight as the Belgian inspired trophy after trophy.

Arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015, eyebrows were raised in the media at the cost of the then-24 year-old.

But 19 trophies, 421 appearances, 108 goals and 170 assists later, the cost of bringing KDB to Manchester looks like a bargain.

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“He’s absolutely amazing. What a great player,” said City legend Zabaleta on our Matchday Live show.

“I will never forget the time journalists said ‘How much money is that for De Bruyne? Ridiculous money’, and 10 years later, look at him now.

“He took the Club to another level. Having him as a teammate, it was pass the ball to Kevin!

“He was also very clever at moving in the pockets behind the midfielders. He’s one of those players that wins games.

“Talent wins games, and Kevin is one of the greatest talents this Club has ever had.”

Paul Dickov concurred with the Argentine warrior’s tribute.

“You just look at the numbers! 19 trophies - it’s just ridiculous,” said Dickov.

“He’s the best player I’ve seen here at the Etihad, and probably the best I’ve seen in the Premier League.

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“At his peak, his work rate without the ball was unbelievable.

“He’s a leader without screaming and shouting and I’ve never seen anything like the quality he has on the ball.”

Shaun Goater added that he felt ‘blessed’ to have witnessed Kevin’s decade of brilliance.

The Bermudian cult hero also said he was impressed with how the skipper kept his emotions in check throughout what was an incredible farewell at the end of the game.

“He finds the player, that’s the reality. Kevin puts the ball exactly there and it’s not luck,” said Goat

“I feel blessed to have seen him play. I’ve seen screamers with his right and his left. This guy is unreal with his weight of pass and his vision to see it.

“He excites me and he basically averages two trophies a season! This guy is just phenomenal. He took us to another level.

“It was fitting that the stands were still full to say goodbye at the end because his standard of football was incredible.

“It was a special moment for him and his family, and I was just amazed he kept the tears at bay!

“We’ve had 10 years of this unbelievable level of quality, and it’s been phenomenal to witness what he’s produced on a regular basis.

“We have given an unbelievable send off to a world class player and what I loved is it was absolutely packed  at the end, late in the evening on a school night – once these fans love they, they love you and they absolutely adore Kevin because he’s given them so many great moments and we’ve honoured him in a great way and I’m so happy to hear he will have his own statue.

“He deserves nothing less.”

WATCH: Watch: De Bruyne's Etihad farewell presentation in full