Raheem Sterling believes summer signing De Bruyne, who scored twice in the midweek 4-1 win over Hull, can be a key player as City look to regain the title.
Asked whether the Belgian was similar to his former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez, Sterling said: 'Yes, most definitely.Every top team needs a player who scores and assists goals so regularly as Kevin does. That's what big players do and we're happy to have him at this football club.
'With Suarez, once he got in and around the box, you knew what he was capable of doing. Usually it ended with a goal. It's the same with Kevin. He looks for other players. Look at the assists he's got already, and he's got goals in him regularly as well.