Manchester City laboured to a 0-0 draw on Saturday where they looked bereft of a player able to force open Southampton's well-organised defence.
Despite the best efforts of Jack Grealish, City lacked the cutting edge in the final third that fans at the Etihad have become accustomed to seeing under Pep Guardiola. Though one man was largely missing: Kevin De Bruyne, the best midfielder and chance-creator in world football.
Though De Bruyne's influence shows no signs of wavering — I'd argue that since the departures of Sergio Aguero and David Silva, it is the highest it has been — the Belgian has found himself on the sidelines ever more often with long-term injuries in two of the last three seasons.
Grealish was bought to remedy this situation. City's No.10 was the eighth-most proficient playmaker in European football last season, averaging 3.3 chances created per 90 minutes. This number is higher than Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller and marginally lower than De Bruyne, whose number was 3.6.
Nobody can deny that De Bruyne's presence on the field brings an air of imminent danger, a unique quality in the Premier League only comparable to that of Cristiano Ronaldo.
City looked to have gotten over the stuttering start with dominating performances against Norwich City and Arsenal in consecutive weeks where City scored ten goals in the absence of De Bruyne. However, after the Arsenal fixture, Guardiola undermined the performance, suggesting his side needed "to do better" in the future.
This statement seemed like an unusual decision at the time, considering most managers would be delighted with a performance that saw their side score five goals against a supposed European contender. Still, Guardiola was vindicated in his concerns with an uninspired outing against Southampton.
Even in City's desperately disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Spurs in the opening fixture of the season, De Bruyne's short cameo displayed why he is considered one of the best players in European football. His introduction added an impetus that City have lacked throughout the start of the season against sterner defences. He will be essential for City to compete with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool for the title.
It was a surprise not to see De Bruyne starting on the weekend after an exciting performance in the Champions League, where he displayed to the likes of Grealish what sort of player has been missed. The Belgian floated around the pitch in trademark style, waiting for an opening, spending most of his time on the right 'half-space' ready to swing in a devastating cross.
For City's second goal, Grealish's eyes lit up as De Bruyne occupied the position on the right and swung in a delightful cross that poor RB Leipzig defender Nordie Mukiele turned into his own net.
The ability to hurt the opposition with a wicked delivery is enough for City to move back into title contention.
With the 30-year-old nearing full fitness, City's profligate attack against Southampton moves one step closer to clicking back into gear. The discussion around the lack of a central striker is amplified in his absence because when De Bruyne is fit and firing, City's attack is among the most dangerous on the planet.
City were the Premier League's top goalscorers last campaign with 83 goals. They achieved that feat without playing a central striker consistently, a testament to how much better the side is when they have the creative talents of Phil Foden and City's No.17.
As long as De Bruyne is in the City side, Guardiola will be confident his team has enough to get past any opposition in Europe.
