5 players (apart from Messi/Ronaldo) who have shown Ballon d’Or-worthy abilities this season

#2 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City & Belgium)

The maestro, de Bruyne has been the most impressive player in the most impressive team in England

Despite the goals of Harry Kane and the dazzling displays of Mo Salah, one player’s name has dominated the discussions for the award for the best player in this season’s Premier League and it is no other than the ginger-haired Belgian maestro at the heart of a brilliant Manchester City side.

Such has been De Bruyne’s influence on everything good that the Cityzens have done this season that even some of his very impressive teammates; Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane among others fade into the background when his name is mentioned.

Playing the Xavi role for Pep Guardiola’s rampaging side has freed up De Bruyne and the Belgian is having his best season ever. Everything he touches now seems to turn to gold as his goals, assists, crosses, and performances are getting millions of replays and comments by fans and pundits alike.

19 - Kevin De Bruyne now has 19 assists in all competitions for Manchester City in 2017-18; five more than any other Premier League player. Creator. pic.twitter.com/IhwrZQEN1k

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2018

He has been delivering the goods both in the league and in the Champions League and his name is definitely in the mix for the Ballon d’Or award this year.

His stats have been frightening to behold and given the team that Guardiola is building around him at the Etihad Stadium as well as his new improved long-term contract, the expectation is that he will get even better.

The Premier League title looks to be a formality at this stage and with passage to the quarterfinal almost certain in the Champions League; the World Cup might be the big deciding factor in whether De Bruyne becomes the one who breaks the Messi/Ronaldo stranglehold on the Ballon d’Or.