Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was pleased for Kevin de Bruyne after being named Premier League Player of the Year.

De Bruyne won the Premier League's top accolade after another standout campaign whereby he scored 13 times and completed 20 assists. It was a rare individual gong for a City player.

Khaldoon said, "I was very pleased because it is so well deserved.

"It was a combination of being pleased but also a bit relieved.

"I was worried because we have seen it before with City players, them being overlooked for this very important award and I was worried that Kevin would be overlooked this year, because in my view it was unquestionable."

The City chief continued: "My vote was clear, obviously it is subjective because of who he plays for, but Kevin is the best player in the league this year.

"He's earned it, he's shown it and I'm glad he got this appreciation and respect from the football world. He has become an important leader of this group. He is really the future of MCFC and all I can say is it is well deserved and well earned."