Gary Neville has admitted that Kevin De Bruyne "mesmerises" him and said that the Manchester City star reminds him of David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.
De Bruyne, 28, is back to full fitness after a campaign which saw regular injuries limit him to just 19 Premier League appearances and has been one the early stars of the new season.
After an impressive display in the 5-0 win at West Ham on the opening weekend, the Belgian's excellent form continued at Etihad Stadium on Saturday but he was unable to help his team to victory as Pep Guardiola's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham .
Although the defending champions lost ground to title rivals Liverpool , former Manchester United defender Neville believes City will only get better as the season goes on - provided that their star midfielder can avoid further spells on the sidelines.
“They will do (get better) if he stays fit," The Sky Sports pundit said on Monday Night Football .
"I like watching tactical games and I never tend to get overawed watching individual talent but he mesmerises me watching him.
"He is the type of player who is so good, he’s world class, and on Saturday for that first hour it was stunning."
The quality of De Bruyne's recent performances also caused Neville to draw comparisons between the Belgian and two Premier League greats in David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.
"His positions are always good but I use the names David Beckham and Steven Gerrard because they are the two best crossers of the ball I’ve seen from the right hand side in the Premier League and De Bruyne matches them in terms of the quality he delivers and that is high praise.
“He is intelligent, the timings of his moves are perfect off the ball and you’re never in doubt that the ball is going to go exactly where it should do. It isn’t a cross, it’s a pass.
"For me on Saturday for about an hour he was unplayable and it took me back to playing with the best crosser of the ball I ever played with, which was Beckham. Even from deep positions the crossing was out of this world.
"De Bruyne is repeating the level of quality and precision from that inside right channel that Beckham produced for United and that is something I didn’t think I’d see again in the Premier League for a long, long time."
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