Vincent Kompany believes former Manchester City Kevin De Bruyne is the world's best player when executing a manager's tactical plan - setting him apart from fellow Belgian Eden Hazard during the pair's prime.
De Bruyne enjoyed another outstanding season at the heart of midfield as City secured an illustrious treble. The 31-year-old racked up an incredible 28 assists across all competitions, with 10 goals of his own to boot.
Erling Haaland's arrival last summer handed the Blues midfielder a new opportunity to adapt, with his role under Pep Guardiola evolving to move further forward. Kompany had the pleasure of playing with De Bruyne and Hazard for Belgium, often comparing the two.
"I say this a lot but they asked me the question at the time when Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were at their primes, and they said who is the better player, Eden Hazard or Kevin De Bruyne? I was like ‘they're two very different players," Kompany told Gary Neville on the Overlap.
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"You give Kevin De Bruyne a plan, which he's getting from Pep, he can have the picture in his mind before he gets the ball and he's the best player in the world. Nobody can do what he does.
"He doesn't actually have to open his eyes, it's all in his head. Anything simple, because he does it so well, he's better than anybody else.
"But if you give Eden Hazard chaos - no organisation no structure - nobody is better than him other than maybe Messi, but that's the level. They weave their way, they ride a challenge, turn one way, turn the other way. Next thing you know he comes out and his next pass and frees up someone because he's attracted so many around him."
