Kevin de Bruyne seminar with English, Dutch, Belgian and German UEFA Pro Licence Coaches.

Kevin de Bruyne is a smart guy and, like all great players I’ve ever come across, shows great humility. He understands perfectly what made him the player he is. He is able to simplify his take on what makes excellence in football.

Here’s some of what Kevin de Bruyne said –

• In Belgium the lower standard of league football is suited to the development of youth. You have to have to be realistic – England, France, Spain and Germany all have bigger playing pools
• At Manchester City all the work is with the ball. Can you dominate the game without the ball? Yes, it’s difficult but I enjoy this style of playing.
• You cannot drop your standards even 2/3% or you lose so winning must become part of your DNA from pre-season
• The culture of each club differs and for him it’s the culture of the club not that of the coach which makes the most difference to the player.
• Try to understand the set-up of each team and adapt. City more of a family club. Chelsea more business-like. Anticipate each move to be ready for playing at the next level
• Manage the balls to preferences of team-mates. I’m in the midfield chain to help the others make the difference. Trust. The more runners I have the easier it is for me, so they trust me to make those runs. 6 years a city also makes it easier.
• Adapting to Roberto from Pep is about understanding the possession-based style with lots of 5 meter pressing. Longer running style is very demanding.
• Coping with the pressure is not spoken about a lot in football. Everyone copes differently.

As Roberto Martinez says, “only geniuses can simplify the game.”