Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne could hold his own playing in or against any midfield in the Premier League era.
The Belgian equalled Steven Gerrard's Premier League assists total when City won 3-0 at Wolves on Saturday, setting up his 91st and 92nd goals in the competition.
But, remarkably, De Bruyne has matched the record in 287 games fewer than Gerrard did for Liverpool.
He still has some way to go to match the Premier League record of 162 by Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, with the likes of David Silva, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas next in his sights.
And Ferdinand believes De Bruyne is a match for legends Gerrard, Lampard, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane when it comes to judging the Premier League's best-ever midfielder.
'He has just equalled Gerrard in terms of assists in the Premier League, but in far less games,' Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube show. 'He still has some way to go to equal Cesc, Giggs, Lampard.
'Say if Frank, Stevie, Scholesy, Vieira, Keane were playing against Kevin De Bruyne now, it would be interesting.
'The game is different. Would De Bruyne be able to play in a two-man midfield against a Vieira or Scholes? Would he be as effective?
'I think De Bruyne would. His capacity to run, his dynamism, his ability on the ball. Only [David] Beckham passes the ball better on the run, crossing-wise.'
Assist king De Bruyne has already created eight goals for City this season - six in the Premier League and two in the Champions League - as well as scoring in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth.
His two assists in the win at Molineux took reigning champions City top of the Premier League table but they were overtaken by Arsenal 24 hours later after the Gunners won 3-0 at Brentford.
De Bruyne is now on international duty with Belgium as they prepare to take on Wales and Holland in the UEFA Nations League.
They currently trail the Dutch by three points in League A4 of the competition with only the group winner advancing to next summer's finals.
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
2
fact...they all support Liverpool
true bruh
Huwdloprsu
4
KDB is more then of another midfielder in this world. beleave me ...
Dazbceimoz
1
if he was a Liverpool player they would say he is the best...everybody supports Liverpool in England...let's argue later please
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fact...they all support Liverpool
DUTCH8UKBLUE
0
De Bruyne is Great.. but his more like a Luka Modric, Or Lampard or Scholes.. Kelvin is not a DM. He's more of a Number 10 or Number 8 Just like Modric & Lampard... Stop Comparing him with Viera & Kean.
KDB CAN PLAY ANYWHERE ON THE PARK! INCLUDING GOALKEEPER IF NECESSARY! CTID 💙
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
5
if he was a Liverpool player they would say he is the best...everybody supports Liverpool in England...let's argue later please
tayacmrt
2
next match
Jotbklmrsz
1
WOW 😲
GideonAT
0
Factos
kotbekostz
0
my two best midfielders of all time in EPL is Stephen Gerrard and Kevin de Bruyne.
Gerrard?? 😂 😂
kotbekostz
1
believe? KNOW THAT HE IS AMONG PREMIER LEAGUE BEST
world's best. He should name those better than him currently!
ClemJay
5
De Bruyne is a goat in midfield
Its_Sally04
2
believe? KNOW THAT HE IS AMONG PREMIER LEAGUE BEST
truthisbitter
7
Had Halaand being in mancity before, Kevin would have passed all!
Emmyjrs
6
De Bruyne is Great.. but his more like a Luka Modric, Or Lampard or Scholes.. Kelvin is not a DM. He's more of a Number 10 or Number 8 Just like Modric & Lampard... Stop Comparing him with Viera & Kean.
Kehabcelmz
3
my two best midfielders of all time in EPL is Stephen Gerrard and Kevin de Bruyne.
muhbdilpsu
1
I am with Rio Ferdinand