Bernardo joined City last summer and after a difficult first half of the season emerged as a key element in the side as we secured the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
He played 55 times in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and assisting 12, and in a bid to build on his improving performances returned early from his post-World Cup break to join the squad on this summer’s US Tour.
It’s a decision that’s paid off, with back-to-back man-of-the-match performances against Chelsea in the Community Shield and Arsenal in the Premier League.
“He came back a little bit early and I think he’s already been training three or four weeks,” De Bruyne told mancity.com.
“That gives him an advantage to some other guys.
“He’s doing very, very well but we already know what he’s capable of.
“He did a good season for us last year – he’s just going even further now.”
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De Bruyne made his first appearance of the season in City’s 2-0 win away at Arsenal on Sunday, coming off the bench just before the hour mark.
He gave a typically classy performance, reminding Blues fans of the brilliance he produced last season when he scored 12 goals and assisted a further 21.
In recognition of his from over the course of the campaign, he was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award and named in the PFA Team of the Year.
So how does the Belgian improve this time out?
“I just try to do the same,” he says. “If we win, it doesn’t matter.
“I don’t know what I can do better or what I can do worse – I just try to win every game and every game is different.
“I feel okay right now. Obviously not the shape I have in the middle of the season but I feel good. “
