Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has rubbished claims that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes can be compared to Kevin De Bruyne.
City cruised to a 4-1 victory over United last weekend in what was an impressive display by Pep Guardiola’s side.
De Bruyne scored a brace in the match in what was an unbelievable individual performance by the Belgian playmaker and confirmed to many that he is one of the best midfielders to grace the Premier League.
However, previously, United star Fernandes has been compared to De Bruyne due to how the Portuguese maestro has been a shining light at Old Trafford in what has been a miserable few seasons for the club.
But Lescott seemed somewhat disrespected that the two midfielders were even mentioned in the same breath when posed the question about how the pair rank up against one another.
Speaking on BT Sport on Wednesday night, the former England international said: "He’s operating as an immortal, he hasn’t won it [the Champions League]. The weekend was a Kevin de Bruyne performance, it’s hard for me to compare.
"The comparison with Fernandes; it’s night and day. He operates at such a high level, this isn’t a surprise."
De Bruyne has scored nine goals and assisted three for City so far this season, and he will need to continue in his rich vein of form if he is to help the Etihad Stadium outfit to the Premier League title.
On the other hand, Fernandes has scored as many goals as De Bruyne and registered three more assists than the former Chelsea player, so it is clear to see why he, too, is being dubbed as one of the best midfielders in the league.
But Lescott feels that City’s no.17 is simply better.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the Manchester derby last weekend, Roy Keane revealed how highly he rates De Bruyne, he said: “Brilliant. Good attitude and professional, getting back to his best, his delivery, goals and assists. He’ll be up there as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League come the end of his career.”
And the praise didn’t just stop there for the 30-year-old on Sunday.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp added: “We talk about elite players, if you’re a City fan you get a masterclass each week. It’s a joy to watch him.
“The way he strikes the ball is different to others, it’s a bit like Paul Scholes, he’s got a bit of pace like Steven Gerrard too, a bit of Gerrard about him too in the way he operates in midfield. The amount of times he was picking up the ball in space today, it was easy for him.”
It remains to be seen whether De Bruyne is able to win the fourth Premier League title of his career or if Liverpool will be able to close the six-point gap between themselves and the league leaders in their next 11 games.
