Kevin De Bruyne has been the best player in the Premier League this season.

"Messi is on his own in the table but Kevin is in the next table and he is right up there," said Pep Guardiola of his star Man City player after another brilliant performance last weekend took his tally to three assists and two goals for the season, in five games.

De Bruyne was very good last season too, scoring seven and assisting nine in all competitions but looks to be playing at an even higher level under new management, in a system built specifically to get the most out of his very unique talents.

So how has Pep Guardiola done this?

Utilised in best position

Manuel Pellegrini played a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 during his time as manager, often shunting De Bruyne into wide positions to accommodate him into the side. As injuries had their effect on selection choices, De Bruyne naturally became the central playmaker and was immediately brilliant at it.

In his final year in the Bundesliga he recorded a frankly staggering 20 assists and 10 goals, and as a result, Guardiola has seen fit to make sure most of City's attacking play goes through De Bruyne, which is proving to be a very smart move already.