Manchester City are often accused of simply trying to buy success, so is it time we gave their manager Pep Guardiola some credit for improving his big-name players too?
Kevin de Bruyne, who has gone from a goal-grabbing attacker into someone Guardiola described this month as being a complete player, appears to be a prime example of a top talent he has enhanced further.
In assists alone, De Bruyne's statistics in his new, often deeper role speak for themselves, but they have come in tandem with some reviews from observes about his overall influence on matches, not merely in the final third of the field.
It seems he has become the kind of player Guardiola has always wanted to control his midfield, going back to his days in charge of Barcelona, when he nurtured several of them.
But while the Belgian's recent stellar form has seen him make the headlines, the evidence suggests he is not the only world-class City player their Spanish coach has taken to a new level.

De Bruyne has made more Premier League assists since the start of the 2016-17 season than any other player. He has created a total of 118 chances overall - only Christian Eriksen of Tottenham (125) has made more
Guardiola makes Player Great.
De Bruyne's admirers include Guardiola himself, with the former Bayern Munich manager stating last week that the 26-year-old is one of the best player I have ever seen.
You could argue De Bruyne should be that, given he cost City £55 in - at the time the second-highest fee paid by a British club, and still a club record despite their summer spree in an even more acutely inflated transfer market.
De Bruyne was clearly no slouch before Guardiola got his hands on him and the former Chelsea player also possessed the attitude and ability to adapt his game.
But his manager has played a part in that process - and has helped others to make similar progress.
Kevin de Bruyne, who has gone from a goal-grabbing attacker into someone Guardiola described this month as being a complete player, appears to be a prime example of a top talent he has enhanced further.
In assists alone, De Bruyne's statistics in his new, often deeper role speak for themselves, but they have come in tandem with some reviews from observes about his overall influence on matches, not merely in the final third of the field.
It seems he has become the kind of player Guardiola has always wanted to control his midfield, going back to his days in charge of Barcelona, when he nurtured several of them.
But while the Belgian's recent stellar form has seen him make the headlines, the evidence suggests he is not the only world-class City player their Spanish coach has taken to a new level.

De Bruyne has made more Premier League assists since the start of the 2016-17 season than any other player. He has created a total of 118 chances overall - only Christian Eriksen of Tottenham (125) has made more
Guardiola makes Player Great.
De Bruyne's admirers include Guardiola himself, with the former Bayern Munich manager stating last week that the 26-year-old is one of the best player I have ever seen.
You could argue De Bruyne should be that, given he cost City £55 in - at the time the second-highest fee paid by a British club, and still a club record despite their summer spree in an even more acutely inflated transfer market.
De Bruyne was clearly no slouch before Guardiola got his hands on him and the former Chelsea player also possessed the attitude and ability to adapt his game.
But his manager has played a part in that process - and has helped others to make similar progress.
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