The English Premier League has been blessed with a host of talented players capable of scoring goals from outside the box. Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best in the business at the moment and the Belgian’s technique is really something to behold.
KDB Strikes When It Matters
De Bruyne has scored many important goals for City since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium back in 2015. Punters who bet on football will see City as short as 1/33 to win the Premier League title this season, and the Belgian midfielder is once again proving to be a key player in the club’s domestic fortunes. Many football tips would have predicted a tight encounter when City hosted Chelsea in a battle of the top two at the Etihad Stadium in mid-January.
This was exactly the case as it required a moment of brilliance from De Bruyne to curl a perfect shot from outside the box to help seal a 1-0 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.
It was a typical driving run from the Belgian, as he managed to shrug off the challenge of N’Golo Kanté before finding himself with a brief moment to get a shot away. Without having to look at the goal, De Bruyne’s awareness showed him exactly where he needed to place it.
Not only did the 30-year-old manage to get the ball out from under his feet, but he wrapped his foot around the ball whilst keeping his head down. It was the perfect technique. Having almost taken the shot a fraction early meant that Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was left reaching for thin air before the ball found the bottom corner. It was a big goal in a big game – one that further strengthened City’s claims for back-to-back Premier League titles.
Among the Premier League’s Great Shooters
When it comes to players scoring outside the box in the Premier League, it’s another former Chelsea and Man City player who tops the charts. Former England international Frank Lampard holds the record for the most Premier League goals from outside the area, with the midfielder finding the net on 41 occasions. The next player closest to Lampard is former Manchester United star David Beckham, who clocks in at 34 goals from outside the box.
De Bruyne seems to take inspiration from both Lampard and Beckham with how he can strike the ball. The City talisman has Lampard’s ability to produce power and accuracy in his driven efforts, whilst at the same time delivering those Beckham-like curling shots.
Guardiola has spoken time and again about how important De Bruyne is to the side at the reigning Premier League champions, who harbour ambitions of a first Champions League title this season. More strikes like the one against Chelsea will see the Belgium international further bolster claims that he’s one of the best that England’s top flight has ever seen.
