Jose Mourinho may remain unconvinced, but on the continent they're queuing up to sing the praises of Kevin De Bruyne.
If Manchester City can clinch a deal with VfL Wolfsburg, some of the game's big names are convinced the Belgian could handle the step up.
Klaus Allofs - Wolfsburg general manager
"In a team he is a player who can make a difference. The way Kevin performs is amazing. There is no reason to minimize that.
"There is one word to describe Kevin: world class."
Marcel Schäfer - Wolfsburg captain
"I enjoy playing in the same team as Kevin.
"Kevin is one of the best players the club has ever had."
Dieter Hecking - Wolfsburg coach
"He is disciplined. In the gym he works very hard. He knows that he must take care of his body for the professional duty of three games per week.
"At Wolfsburg he always starts as our No10. But when you look at his game, he covers the entire width of the attack.
"Kevin isn't a training ground King. He just wants to play football."
Thomas Schaaf - ex-Werder Bremen coach
"De Bruyne has generally been a good reinforcement for us. We make the most of him because he gives everything in games for our club. We therefore give him every opportunity to impress.
"He's a great player. He told me recently how much he enjoys it at Werder Bremen.
"It is clear that he hasn't reached his maximum yet. I'd be pleased if I could continue after this season working with him."
Marc Wilmots - Belgium coach
"In the national team he showed confidence and he was a regular player for me. We talked about his situation and I said, 'Kevin, go back to the Bundesliga'.
"Klaus (Allofs) knew him from their time together at Werder Bremen and brought him back to Germany.
"The way he plays is currently outstanding, but that does not surprise me. I know what the kid can do."
Wilmots
"In view of the European Championship in France, I'd prefer that Kevin De Bruyne stayed in Wolfsburg and continued there next season.
'There is no pressure there to keep his place.
"If there is a monster bid from Manchester City and it becomes difficult to refuse, then I would understand."
Marc Degryse - ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Belgium striker
"And then there was the case of Kevin De Bruyne. Mourinho may believe in him or not, it is his right. But why does he launch him with praise during preseason and yet now ignore him?
"He's made a 180 degree turn, it is not right. The past shows that when a coach drops a young player, the kid in question is likely to never turn the corner as long as the staff remains in place.
"De Bruyne absolutely must leave in January, otherwise the World Cup will be badly compromised."
Davy Vanhaen - Genk communications director
"We will reap 3.25 percent of the total transfer value of Kevin. That's a solid rule of FIFA. Even though we delivered in the past a few players to big clubs, it does not happen so often that it is a really big amount.
"At the time, with (Christian) Benteke we also collected a nice sum, but a 'profit' as with De Bruyne - possibly around €2.17 million - is rather exceptional."
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Why Kevin de Bruyne can be Man City title winner (and leave Mourinho seething)
