No One Matches Kevin De Bruyne, But Data Helped Us to Try

Let’s picture this: It's 2021, Kevin De Bruyne, the football genius from a small Belgian town, sits across Manchester City representatives negotiating his contract, not with an agent, but with multiple metrics that prove his worth. No middlemen, just two competent lawyers and comprehensive reports from football analytics consultancies, revealing every action, every contribution shaping Manchester City’s success that year. The data he brought to the table reflected his game: sharp, progressive, and rich in high xG contributions. This wasn’t just contract negotiation; it was a moment that showed how football intelligence works off the pitch from the player’s perspective as well. Kevin De Bruyne proved that he's not just controlling the game on the field, but also making decisions at the table. He showed how a footballer can use data like vision, making clubs see players in an entirely new way.

Now, curious minds, we’re NOT here to discuss Manchester City’s next move or WHO fills KDB’s boots. We’re here to rewind to his prime, those 2016-2023 years when he was unstoppable. At the same time, we’re looking for players who carry that same dynamism, in their own unique way. This is where DoppelScout comes in. Think of it like brewing the perfect beer: a dash of similarity metrics, a pinch of role clustering, a splash of consistency, and a whole bunch of context. Let’s dive in. (Photo Source: Goal.com)

From Genk to Global Stardom: KDB’s Rise

There’s something poetic about Kevin De Bruyne’s journey, from a sharp-tongued, highly competitive teenager in Belgium to one of the most intelligent midfielders of his generation, shaping the game at the highest level. Before the football world knew him for his brilliant assists, De Bruyne was already turning heads at Genk, not with tricks, but with his vision and the way he saw the game. Beyond the way he saw the game, there was also his mentality. The kid needed to win. Whether it was shouting at teammates during games, calling out underperformers on TV, or standing up to senior pros before he turned 20, KDB made one thing clear early on: he wasn’t here to fit in, he was here to raise the standards.

This kind of passion didn’t always make him popular, but it made him better. Genk shaped that energy and gave him the freedom to turn immaturity into progress. His debut was in the first team at 17, he made a name for himself and then took a risk. He backed himself, moved to Chelsea in 2012, and he got Mourinho’d. His time in London was short and strange. A few games, a few assists, and the painful realisation that “potential” doesn’t always get rewarded. So he left. And that’s when things got serious.

At Wolfsburg, De Bruyne played like someone with something to prove. He wasn’t just good, he was spectacular. In the 2014-15 season, he was chosen player of the season for contributing 10 goals and 19 assists in the Bundesliga. (In total, with DFB Cup and Europa League performance statistics, the total reached 16 goals and 26 assists.) A performance like that couldn't be ignored. After a short and unimpressive experience at Chelsea, England came calling again, this time with a very different script. Manchester City recognized his evolution, not his past limitations.

By the time City signed him, KDB was no longer just a player with potential, but he was a complete midfielder, sharper, and ready for the big stage. What followed wasn’t just success; it was a decade of brilliance, filled with unforgettable moments and legendary performances. But as with every great chapter, this one, too, is reaching its final page. As the years passed, his influence on the pitch remained undeniable. Every touch, every progressive pass still carried the weight of experience and genius. But the game, as it always does, began to demand more than he could give indefinitely. Injuries lasted a bit longer, recovery took a little more time, and good moments came with a different kind of effort, not less, just deeper.

In the end, it feels like we’re approaching the end of De Bruyne’s Premier League chapter. Whether the next destination is MLS, another European league, or something completely unexpected, that part remains to be written. Yet, what has he already given? It remains timeless. No matter how many seasons pass, when people discuss Guardiola’s City, the team that redefined English football, Kevin De Bruyne’s name will always echo through those conversations. Not just as a world-class midfielder, but as one of the defining figures of a transformative era in the Premier League.

Fig. 1: Kevin De Bruyne's important seasons before joining Manchester City

Cooking the KDB Recipe inside DoppelScout

Before we dive into the upgrades, here’s a quick refresher. The DoppelScout is our in-house player similarity engine, a kind of footballing fingerprint scanner. Give it a name (say, Kevin De Bruyne), and it’ll search the football universe for players who play, move, pass, and behave like him. But it doesn’t just compare stats. It balances role, style, output, and even tactical context to find those hard-to-spot doppelgängers. It’s not magic; it’s maths with a midfield brain.

What’s New?

If you’ve read our technical note on The DoppelScout, you know how it works. If not, feel free to check that out first.

This time around, we’ve added a few key ingredients to sharpen its intelligence. Remember how some of the "doppels" in our Salah experiment looked suspiciously like traditional strikers or left wingers? That wasn’t ideal. We’ve now addressed this problem with two major upgrades.

First, the DoppelScout is now positionally aware, not just at the level of forwards, midfielders, and defenders, but with refined role granularity (e.g. “AM” vs “MC” vs “LW”). Each candidate’s position history is compared directly to the target’s, and this comparison becomes a formal component in the final DoppelScore.

Second, we’ve made the model pitch-aware. Not every “attacking midfielder” plays like KDB. Some drift wide, others hug the half-spaces. That’s why we added heatmap similarity: The DoppelScout now evaluates where on the pitch a player typically operates. This allows us to find true behavioural matches, not just statistical twins.

Both positional similarity and spatial occupation are now weighted metrics in the DoppelScore. Together, they help ensure that when we say “this player is like Kevin De Bruyne,” we mean it; not just in numbers, but in role, behaviour, and pitch intelligence.

Figure 2: Doppel Scout Update Info

De Bruyne’s Peak Profile: What Makes Him Special

The Belgian midfielder departs with a long list of trophies: 6X Premier League, 5X EFL Cup, 2X FA Cup, 3X Community Shield, 1X UEFA Champions League, 1X UEFA Super Cup, 1x FIFA Club World Cup, 5X FIFPRO World XI, 5X PFA Premier League Team of the Year, 3X UEFA Team of the Year, 2X Premier League Player of the Season, and 2X PFA Players' Player of the Season.

De Bruyne is currently second in all-time Premier League assists with 119, behind only Ryan Giggs (162). In 287 Premier League games for Manchester City, he scored 72 goals. He also shares the record with Thierry Henry for the most assists in a single Premier League season (20).

In 2022, he placed third in the Ballon d'Or voting, behind Sadio Mane and winner Karim Benzema. He turned into one of Pep Guardiola’s go-to guys during City’s unbeatable run at the top of English football. He became such a star that most people just call him “KDB”, it’s like his full name isn’t even needed anymore.

KDB wasn’t just a master of the final ball. He was the rhythm. The engine. Scanning three steps ahead, he evolved into one of the most compact midfielders of Premier League history under Pep Guardiola’s system. Their player-manager relationship was a harmony. This wasn’t coaching. It was chemistry. Two football-obsessives speaking a silent language like tactical telepathy. He never chased the spotlight. No brand hype. No Ballon d’Or politics. Just football. And yet, there’s that 2019-20 season with 20 assists, a season for the ages, and no ceremony to mark it, thanks to Covid. In our analysis, we have combined his 11 seasons in the Premier League. There is so much to say about his journey that it’s impossible to cover it all in one analysis.

Figure 3: Kevin De Bruyne all seasons statistics at Manchester City

Who Matches the Maestro? DoppelScout Top Picks

Now that we've defined what makes Kevin De Bruyne so exceptional, from his vision and firepower to his tactical versatility, it’s time to ask the golden question: Who else across Europe’s top leagues carries a similar blueprint?

Using DoppelScout, we analysed hundreds of data points and player profiles to discover players who share characteristics of peak De Bruyne. The results? A fascinating list of familiar names, rising stars, and interesting matches.

Instead of confining our approach to fixed categories, we've opted for a more adaptable approach, much like De Bruyne's style of play. This group of 10 players encompasses the varied qualities that define KDB's exceptional talent. Some excel as tempo-setters, constantly reading the game and controlling its flow. Others are skilled at breaking the lines with their movement or passing, carrying their teams forward with ease. A few bring calm and control in the final third area, transforming smart decisions into goals and assists. Each one of them does it in their own way. They’re not copies. But they all carry something special, a bit of De Bruyne's DNA. That blend of intelligence, determination, and skill that defines the game's crucial moments.

De Bruyne can’t be boxed into one simple label, as he brings so many different qualities to the pitch. He brings depth to every moment, smoothly transitioning from pinpoint passes to clinical finishes. Ranking players who match his style is equally tough; each has their own approach but shares that unmistakable 'De Bruyne vibe.' This isn’t about who’s better. It’s about how the game is played, and who’s playing it like De Bruyne, in their own way.

Note: The list doesn’t follow points or alphabetical order; it’s a bit all over the place. But that’s what makes it interesting. So, let’s dive in!

Figure 4: The DoppelScout Under 25 talent pool echoes KDB's DNA

Lazar Samardzic

The Serbian international earns his spot on this list due to his rare mix of flair and technical capabilities. His ability to read the game, combined with high-volume passing skills and intelligence in tight spaces, makes him one of the most dynamic left-footed creators of his generation. This season, while not a regular starter, he featured in 41 matches for the Atalanta side, known for their elite scouting and recruiting system.

His minutes might have fluctuated, but his impact didn’t, as he’s taken noticeable steps forward in his positional awareness and decision-making. At 23, Samardzic is still polishing his game, but there’s a calm and controlled side to him now that you wouldn’t have seen two seasons ago. His left foot isn’t just silky, it’s a weapon for control, deception, and creating chances in the final third. He may not have grabbed the spotlight like some of his peers yet, but when he reaches his peak, he could be one of the top players.

Figure. 5: Lazar Samardzic's statistics for the Big 5 League in 2024-25 (per 90)

Thiago Almada

One of the most eye-catching transfers of the winter period was Lyon's loan deal of Thiago Almada from Botafogo. A gifted Argentine with quick feet, sharp vision, and high-level ball control, Almada is one of DoppelScout's standout profiles. Born in Buenos Aires and raised in the Velez academy, he joined MLS side Atlanta United in 2022 before signing with Botafogo for around €20 million plus bonuses, helping the club to a Libertadores Cup win.

After this, quick shifts from Argentina to USA, and then Brazil, he gained valuable experience and adaptability in diverse football environments. Next step: Europe. The transfer to Lyon was not just another player changing shirts, it’s part of a bigger story. Since both Lyon and Botafogo are part of Eagle Football Holdings Limited, which also owns Crystal Palace, Molenbeek, and Florida FC, the transfer has been openly questioned by several Ligue 1 clubs, especially given Lyon's current financial constraints.

Despite these off-field challenges, Thiago Almada had an impressive debut season in Europe, and this positive appearance makes his future even more interesting. His next transfer move remains uncertain, whether he stays in Europe, returns to South America, or moves elsewhere, but one thing is clear his name will be in the spotlight this summer.

Enzo Millot

Another left-footed talent, Enzo Millot, is one of Europe’s most impactful attacking midfielders. Compared to other Bundesliga midfielders, he ranks in the 97th percentile for both successful take-ons (1.56 per 90) and touches in the attacking penalty area (3.95 per 90). A product of AS Monaco’s academy, Millot (22) has quietly transformed from a raw and deep-lying midfielder into one of the Bundesliga's most elegant attacking threats.

Since joining Stuttgart in 2021, Millot has progressively earned more playing time each season, consistently refining his game. In some cases, the biggest boost for a player comes from working under the same coach for multiple seasons. The Sebastian Hoeneß era has been a great opportunity for Millot, a young, dynamic coach who has helped him gain Champions League experience and prepare for more competitive leagues.

Millot continues to evolve as a player, with a lot of potential for growth ahead. However, his progression suggests that elite status is now within sight. With a release clause of approximately €20 million, it’s evident that any club securing his talents would be making an intelligent move for one of Europe’s most promising attacking midfielders.

Figure 6: Thiago Almada vs Enzo Millot Head-to-Head

Paul Wanner

Born in 2005, Paul Wanner developed his skills at Bayern Munich's academy, where his talent quickly emerged. In the 2024–25 season, he took a significant step in his progress, joining Heidenheim on loan to gain essential first-team experience. Under Frank Schmidt's guidance, Wanner matured both as a player and a professional. The German-Austrian midfielder made 34 appearances across all competitions, netting six goals and contributing two assists. Wanner has also made his mark on the European stage, scoring in his debut Conference League match. His performance helped Heidenheim reach the Round of 16, where they lost to FC Copenhagen. Despite his youth, Wanner's ball-carrying skill, precise passing, and relentless energy set him apart. He is one of the standout players recommended by DoppelScout. With his undeniable talent and rapid development, Paul Wanner is likely to become one of Europe's most promising players, ready for even bigger achievements in the seasons ahead.

Senny Mayulu

Senny Mayulu is a name that genuinely excites us, a rising star from PSG's academy. A two-footed midfielder, Mayulu combines exceptional technical ability with a vision and composure. He consistently finds progressive passing options, plans build-up plays, and brings control and balance to the heart of midfield. It's no wonder top clubs in the Bundesliga and Serie A are already keeping a close eye on him. A loan move to a European club for the 2025/26 season seems highly probable, and could be the perfect step for his development. With the right guidance, Mayulu has the potential to become a dynamic box-to-box midfielder or even fill the coveted 'free-eight' role. Considering he's only 18, imagining how he might develop over the next five years is quite exciting.

Figure 7: S. Maluyu & P. Wanner - Compared to Big Names in terms of xG vs. Dead Ball Passes

Nico Paz

Nico Paz might have made a smart decision last summer. Struggling to break into Real Madrid’s depth-packed, talent-heavy squad, he took a brave step, a permanent move to Serie A side Como, where he could develop under the wings of Cesc Fabregas. And it’s paid off. In the 2024-25 season, Nico was electric, contributing 6 goals and 8 assists in 34 matches, becoming the team’s most important player.

Born in Spain but representing Argentina internationally, Nico Paz's rapid rise has caught attention far beyond Serie A. His remarkable season has positioned him as one of Italy's most creative midfielders, showcasing a mix of vision, composure, and attacking threat that defines the modern No. 10. With Xabi Alonso's expected move to Real Madrid, the situation could shift once again, especially since Real Madrid retain a buy-back clause valid for the next two years. If Paz continues on this path, he won't just earn a return to a bigger stage, he'll probably be prepared to dominate it.

Figure 8: Passes into Final Third, Kevin De Bruyne vs Nicolas Paz

Morgan Rogers

Morgan Rogers is far from an unknown name to the average football fan. In fact, it would’ve been more surprising if DoppelScout hadn’t drawn parallels between him and Kevin De Bruyne. In a team where efficiency matters more than volume, Rogers has quietly become one of the Premier League’s most productive threats. With a direct, fearless approach and elite one-to-one ability, he ranks in the top 21% for successful take-ons among attacking midfielders in the Premier League.

He may not dominate possession or set game rhythm, but when Rogers gets on the ball, something happens. Both his assists (0.30, per90) and xAG numbers (0.23, per 90) place him comfortably in the top third of his positional peers. Rogers in a nutshell: high-impact actions, no wasted moves.

The development he’s shown over the past two seasons has made him one of the most in-demand names heading into the summer transfer window. Nobody knows where he’ll play next season, but one thing’s for sure: at 23, he’s no longer a rising talent. He’s already one of the brightest performers on the big stage.

Oihan Sancet

Oihan Sancet is one of the most notable names to emerge from Athletic Club’s famed Lezama academy. He’s technical, confident on the ball, and effective in the final third. This season, with 17 goals and 3 assists, he’s been central to Bilbao’s strong performances in La Liga and the Europa League. Whether it’s carrying the ball forward, linking passes in tight spaces, or arriving in the box at the right moment, Sancet has consistently made the difference.

His finishing is impressive, in the 2024-25 season, with 0.68 non-penalty goals per 90, he ranks in the 98th percentile among La Liga attacking midfielders and wingers. Sancet is smart with his positioning, flexible in tactics, he can be used as a box-to-box engine, or a creative playmaker, he might even perform as a second striker, depending on the system and team players.

Athletic Club Bilbao have secured their ticket to the Champions League next season, and with an €80M release clause hanging over Sancet’s head, they have the upper hand. Will a transfer offer knock this summer? We’ll see what happens. But one thing’s for sure: Sancet has evolved this season, showing flashes of De Bruyne’s influence along the way.

Figure 9: Morgan Rogers vs Oihan Sancet 2024-25 season stats

Paul Nebel

Paul Nebel, a product of the Mainz academy, gained valuable experience during two loan spells at Karlsruhe. His development under Bo Svensson has been impressive. He has been primarily deployed on the right side of a 4-3-3 or centrally in a 4-2-3-1. Nebel combines creativity in possession with increasing skills in the final third. He’s two-footed, tactically smart, and carries a natural mobility instinct as he loves getting into central zones to impact the game.

This season? It all came together. He added goals, assists, and that killer instinct you need to make real noise in the Bundesliga. He scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists, playing a key role in Mainz's European journey. According to FBref, Nebel has 45 passes attempted per 90 (77th percentile) and 8.41 progressive passes received (78th percentile), showing just how fluid and involved he is in the build-up. Paul Nebel might not be the loudest name yet, but this version of him? He’s here to stay.

Matias Soule

Argentinian Matias Soule has been one of Serie A's standout talents in recent years. He has a rocket left foot that is a joy to watch. While he usually plays on the right wing, he’s equally comfortable in central roles or as a number 10, showing his versatility. Serie A fans know him well, but if you haven’t caught a Roma game yet, take the time to watch him in action. Compared to others on the list, Soule stands out with his technical elegance and set-piece skills. An interesting detail is that both Matías Soule and Thiago Almada, another Argentine on the list, emerged from Vélez's youth academy. While Soule's path led him to Italy, Almada's journey took him to France.

It has been a rollercoaster season for Roma, but Ranieri’s arrival brought stability, and Soule started to show more of his potential. We believe with his exceptional game intelligence, he is one to watch in the coming years, and when it comes to attacking flair, you can already see traces of KDB in his game. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be watching him light up the Premier League too.

Figure 10: Paul Nebel vs Matias Soule Head-to-Head

The Known Unknowns

Before you ask, yes, we know the usual suspects. Martin Ødegaard is shaping up to be Arsenal’s own De Bruyne. He’s only 26, and the next five years might be the peak of his career, full of leadership, big moments, and maybe trophies. Florian Wirtz has conquered the Bundesliga, and he's ready for the next step. Cole Palmer is likely to keep impressing in the Premier League, while Xavi Simons' future, whether he stays in the Bundesliga or elsewhere, remains open to change.

Rayan Cherki is an incredibly gifted player, and watching him outside of Ligue 1 will be seriously exciting. And Arda Güler? When he plays, you just can’t take your eyes off the screen, and as a little reminder, he is just 20. Real Madrid are aware they’ve got something special.

These aren’t hidden gems, they’re already in the spotlight. While DoppelScout highlights them, we don’t need to elaborate on these players; they're well-known. Instead, we’ve turned the focus to the ones bubbling under, the players whose stats quietly hint at De Bruyne-level brilliance. You already know the headliner.

Figure 11: Kevin de Bruyne DoppelScout Broader Picture

What the Comparisons Reveal?

We’ve walked through the ten most promising U25 players who surfaced in the DoppelScout’s top 50; some exciting, some surprising, all offering intriguing shades of De Bruyne’s profile. We deliberately avoided diving deep into the obvious names: the usual suspects that any football fan could rattle off when asked, “Who plays like KDB?” Yes, players like Martin Ødegaard, Florian Wirtz, and Dominik Szoboszlai are in the conversation. But even when these known quantities make the list, there’s a difference between similarity and singularity.

To understand what sets Kevin De Bruyne apart, we don’t need more speculation, we need the numbers. The profiles may look close from afar, but zoom in on the data and a different story emerges. Let’s do exactly that.

The chart below shows just how rare De Bruyne’s profile is. We selected around 20 key performance metrics (Assists, Progressive Passes, Carries into final 3rd, etc.) and asked a simple question: for each of the top 50 DoppelScore players, how many of those stats are within a tight percentile band around KDB? In other words, how many of their attributes actually look like him, not just one or two flashy numbers, but the full spread of traits that define his style and influence.

Figure 12: Share of statistical categories where each player resembles Kevin De Bruyne

The results speak volumes. Even the most promising talents can only shadow fragments of De Bruyne’s game. Rayan Cherki, the closest in this percentile comparison (also the number 1 in terms of DoppelScore), overlaps with around two-thirds of the profile. Florian Wirtz and Lazar Samardzic follow below 40%, and by the time we reach names like Thiago Almada or Matías Soule, both discussed earlier, the similarity drops below 25%. These are elite players in their own right, but Kevin De Bruyne performs in a statistical ecosystem few can access.

The DoppelScout isn’t just highlighting who’s similar; it’s quietly reminding us how rare the original really is.

Final Thoughts

Football’s greats don’t change results, they change expectations. Kevin De Bruyne made that happen. He made a certain kind of player cool again: the thinker, the connector, the one who doesn’t always show up on posters but always shows up in big moments. He has consistently delivered incredible goals and assists over the years, without slowing down.There were times when we had to pause the video and replay it a couple of times, just trying to figure out how he managed to break the lines with such finesse. We really witnessed a player who seemed like he was born to assist and he made it look easy.

In this article, we didn’t just search for players with similar outputs. We looked for those shaped by the same style of play, who play forward, think early, and find spaces even a paused replay can't capture. Whether it's Palmer ghosting into space, Wirtz solving tight spaces like a puzzle, or Arda seeing runs before they happen, they’re all part of the post-KDB era. But the truth is, there’s no perfect successor. Because De Bruyne’s game wasn’t just data and delivery, it was depth. One of the best free eights in modern football, combining creativity with high game intelligence. We may not see another quite like him. But we’ll always remember what it felt like to watch him. Pure joy, pure intelligence. Thank you, Kevin.