26 August 2023 , 07:30
710
0
Kevin De Bruyne ranked Bruno Fernandes above Martin Odegaard in his assessment of the Premier League's best creators.
De Bruyne himself would likely be many people's pick for that honour. However, the Belgian international is currently out of action for a number of months after picking up an injury in the opening weekend of the season.
Three men who might fancy themselves to lay claim to the crown are Man Utd captain Fernandes, Arsenal skipper Odegaard and Spurs new boy James Maddison. And De Bruyne didn't let club loyalties get in the way when putting together his ranking.
"I think he's a creative machine," De Bruyne said of Fernandes in a Sky Sports segment. "Just in general.
"I think Odegaard is very creative, he's a little more controlled, and then Maddison is also really creative but I need to see more of him in a big team. So that can change, but that's why I put him number three.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
"Being creative has a lot of different things around it. Creating chances, but also sometimes you can give somebody the ball and he shoots from 30 metres.
"It's always different, but I think he's always there. He takes a lot of risks, also, and I like it.
"And obviously he's been doing really well, and he's been doing it for a long time. Odegaard was amazing last year, but obviously he's younger, and there's a difference in that."
Do you agree with De Bruyne's ranking? Have your say in the comments section
Bruno Fernandes claimed top spot ahead of James Maddison (REX/Shutterstock)While De Bruyne was full of praise for Fernandes, the Man Utd man hasn't been peppered with positive comments of late. Indeed, the new skipper has been blamed for some of his club's woes during an unconvincing start to the season.
"A lot of clubs now, they make people captain because they want them to stay," former Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend said on talkSPORT. "They want to keep them there.
"I don't think he (Fernandes) is captain's material. Too many times now I see people given the armband, not because their the right man for the job, but because he's the senior player, or the top man, or biggest asset."
Fernandes will have a chance to let his football do the talking on Saturday, though. His Manchester United team takes on Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, looking to bounce back from defeat against Spurs.