Kevin De Bruyne vows to replicate Manchester City form with Belgium after quiet display in Panama victory
- Kevin De Bruyne was Manchester City's star man in winning the Premier League
- He believes he will replicate his City form for Belgium at the Russia World Cup
- De Bruyne says he now has to 'shoulder my responsibility' with Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne is ready to take on a bigger role in Belgium's midfield after facing accusations of being unable to replicate his impressive club form at Premier League champions Manchester City for his country.
'I didn't do it before because I was young and I didn't have the profile I have now,' De Bruyne, who turns 28 next Thursday on the same day Belgium play England in their final Group G fixture, told RTBF television.
'From now on, I have to shoulder my responsibility,' he said, adding that a role as 'boss' behind Belgium's offensive trio of Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard came 'instinctively', and not from coach Roberto Martinez.
Kevin De Bruyne is ready to show his finest from in international colours at the World Cup
De Bruyne was quiet by his own standards in Belgium's 3-0 victory against Panama
De Bruyne did not convince all of his critics in the 3-0 opening win over debutants Panama on Monday, in which Belgium's 'golden generation' claims were looking thin until a brilliant solo strike from Mertens settled their nerves after the break.
However, his role in directing Belgium's multiple attacking options suggest he is finding a way to bring his club form to the international stage and coordinate with captain Hazard, who plays a similarly creative function further forward at Chelsea.
Belgium aim to wrap up qualification by beating Tunisia in Moscow on Saturday.
De Bruyne said his role behind Eden Hazard was instinct, rather than being told to play there
But De Bruyne said the clash with England, who should beat Panama after opening with a win against the North Africans, would not be relaxed.
He stressed that meeting club mates such as Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and John Stones, as well as other Premier League rivals, would make for a tough game.
'It's never friendly,' he said.
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