Kevin De Bruyne’s world-class cameo prompts tidal wave of early transfers among Dream Team gaffers
KEVIN DE BRUYNE (£6.4m) gave fair warning that he wasn't fit enough to start against Newcastle on Saturday.
What the brilliant Belgian failed to mention was that he intended to change the game with a mesmerising cameo off the bench.
Manchester City's playmaker-in-chief scored within five minutes of his second-half introduction at St James Park as he passed the ball just inside the far post with pinpoint accuracy to level proceedings.
Then in stoppage time, he produced a trademark assist for Oscar Bobb's (£1.8m) winner with the young Norwegian displaying neat footwork to take advantage of the chance created for him by the imperious De Bruyne.
Consequently, many Dream Team managers have transferred the world-class midfielder into their XIs ahead of Gameweek 21 - which doesn't get underway until late next week because of the winter break.
Remember, you can reverse transfers any time before the deadline so there's no downside to making an early move.
De Bruyne has been eased back in since recovering from injury with Pep Guardiola making a point to explain the potential perils of rushing him back too soon several times over in the last fortnight.
That being said, the 32-year-old has provided two assists and a goal in 54 minutes of playing time since his return to action so the temptation to start him in the FA Cup fourth round against Tottenham in eleven days' time must be strong.
Gameweek 21 also includes City's Premier League meeting with Burnley.
Even if the coaching staff don't believe De Bruyne is capable of 180 minutes in six days at the end of this month, he'll surely be assured a fair share of the action.
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And he's shown in his last two outings that he doesn't need much time to make a significant impact.
De Bruyne banked ten points at the Magpies' expense and looks good another double-digit haul in Gameweek 21.
One benefit of recruiting him now is that he's available for £6.4m, which is still a hefty price tag, but one likely to increase if he maintains his current form much longer.
Few players are able to change the landscape of Dream Team in such a short time as the Belgium international - his ownership has risen to 13.6% already.
De Bruyne is ever so close to breaking into the top ten most-selected midfielders despite the fact he's yet to complete 90 minutes in 2023/24, such is the measure of his deserved reputation.
Officially, he's scored 65 goals and provided 103 assists in the Premier League alone.
KDB or not to KDB? That is the question...
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