Having moved to the Etihad Stadium from German side Wolfsburg, the midfielder has gone on to make 312 appearances and win four Premier League titles, all while registering an impressive 87 goals and 124 assists.
As well as claiming every available domestic honour, De Bruyne has also scooped a host of individual awards while at City, including the PFA Player’s Player of the year award on two separate occasions.
After enjoying his best goalscoring campaign across our 2021/22 title triumph, the Belgian has picked up where he left off this season, with one goal and three assists from his first four appearances.
And the City boss has gone on to explain why De Bruyne continues to be such a key figure at the Etihad Stadium after being asked about the midfielder in his pre-match press conference.
“It was a really good signing for City. Seven years is many, many years, he has done brilliant since then,” Guardiola reflected ahead of our Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
“Before here, he was in Germany, I saw him when he was in Wolfsburg when I was at Bayern. I am delighted with how he has performed in this time.
“If you switch on the TV you see how he plays. You can define Kevin perfectly for the way he plays.
“It is not necessary to talk about his incredible talent, his work ethic, his commitment to the club and his mates.
“He is a vice captain. There are no doubts about that. These type of players are too good you have to watch it, words are not necessary.
“How is Kevin? Watch they game and you will discover it.”
City welcome Nottingham Forest to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 31 August as we aim to continue our unbeaten start to the new 2022/23 season.
Enjoying their first season in the top flight since 1999, Steve Cooper’s side have spent big on their return to the top flight, with 18 new faces already through the door.
And Guardiola believes their transfer activity, which includes the loan signings of Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi and Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, demonstrate their ambition for the rest of the season.
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He said of their summer business: “It shows a lot. It shows what the club want to be.
“I am pretty sure that means they want to stay in the Premier League for many years. It is a historical club, no doubt about that.
“For many years it was not there. It is a new team with a similar style to last season.
“It is another game at home with our people. Try to do a good game.”
