The Rest Is Football
Episode: Kevin De Bruyne: The Moments That Made Them
Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards
Episode Overview
In this episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah put the spotlight on Kevin De Bruyne, reflecting on the key moments, skills, and traits that have defined his Premier League and international career. With their trademark mix of banter, candid opinions, and insider takes, the trio discuss De Bruyne’s best goals, passing genius, leadership at Manchester City, and his legacy among football’s all-time great midfielders.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. De Bruyne's Unique Brilliance ([01:08] – [04:34])
- The hosts marvel at De Bruyne’s skillset, highlighting his passing range and crossing ability.
- Alan Shearer: “I think he’s one of the best I’ve sat and enjoyed watching ever in football ever alive. Because I always used to think he is probably the one guy that I would love to have played with in the same team.” ([02:05])
- Micah Richards: “As a center forward, he’d create so many opportunities…a dreamland for you.”
- De Bruyne’s “floater” role is discussed—his versatility across midfield positions, especially to the right-center.
- Micah: “He could play any. Floater.”
- Alan: “He just had that ability to whip that ball in with pace and find the forward.” ([03:08])
2. Chelsea Miss & City Redemption ([04:09] – [05:34])
- The panel ponders how Chelsea let De Bruyne slip away.
- Micah: “How did Chelsea not see it?... there are late developers but you can see someone when they've got that kind of talent, can't you?”
- Gary: “It’s about timing, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s just not the right time.…maybe because he's quite shy, maybe they didn't see the personality at the time. He's very reserved, very humble.”
3. Comparisons – Silva vs. De Bruyne ([06:47] – [07:52])
- The perennial debate: David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne?
- Gary: “People always ask, David Silva or De Bruyne. I always say David Silva just because I played with him. But De Bruyne, I think in terms of... they won the Champions League, didn’t they, when he was there?... he made the difference.” ([06:47])
4. Big Goals & Celebrations ([07:53] – [09:50])
- Iconic goals, especially De Bruyne’s return to Stamford Bridge with Man City in 2017.
- Micah: “He went back to Stamford Bridge… scored the only goal of the game. Absolute belter from Kevin De Bruyne.” ([07:08])
- Gary: “He had that burst, didn’t he? Acceleration. Look at his shooting technique, left peg.”
- Conversation on players celebrating against their former clubs, with Alan recalling his own celebrations:
- Alan: “When I played for Blackburn... my first goal back. Scoring for Blackburn at St. James’s Park—the Gallagher. And went mad.” ([09:16])
- Micah and Gary critique the “no celebration” trend, attributing it to social media culture.
5. Defining Manchester City Moments ([10:10] – [12:05])
- De Bruyne’s crucial assist in the “Aguero 2.0” comeback vs. Aston Villa on the final day.
- Micah: “Brilliant bit of play from Kevin De Bruyne. I mean cross—definite cross there.”
- Gary: “I was at the game, the stadium erupted.”
- The panel agrees De Bruyne was the pitch leader for Pep’s side.
- Alan: “He was a leader with a ball, definitely.”
- Gary: “Kevin De Bruyne was the one who’d make things happen all the time.” ([12:24])
6. All-Time Great? ([12:32] – [14:11])
- Debate over De Bruyne’s place in the all-time Premier League XI.
- Alan: “I would definitely have him in my all time Premier League eleven… on the right of midfield ahead of Salah.” ([12:32])
- Debates about who else makes the midfield: Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Vieira, Beckham, etc.
- Alan: “With those balls and crosses, [De Bruyne] might even be better at that than David [Beckham].” ([13:33])
- Gary: “Everything else in terms of through balls and the low cross, that was Kevin De Bruyne.” ([13:46])
7. Signature Goals and Technique ([16:53] – [18:29])
- Micah brings up De Bruyne’s sensational volley against Newcastle.
- Micah: “Just see it…De Bruyne…Oh, that is outstanding.” ([17:07])
- Gary: “Touch, Focus, precision. Technique.”
- Alan: “What a volley that is. Keeper had no chance.”
8. Four-Goal Haul vs. Wolves ([18:36] – [19:27])
- De Bruyne’s remarkable four-goal game is highlighted.
- Gary: “Four goals in an hour.”
- Micah (joking with the producer, a Wolves fan): “Sorry, John.” ([19:25])
- They marvel at De Bruyne’s two-footedness, particularly scoring his hat-trick with his left foot.
9. His Legacy – Rated or Underrated? ([19:33] – [21:49])
- Is De Bruyne underrated globally?
- Alan: “I don’t think. Not by us, I mean, but globally. Do you think or…?”
- Gary: “The only thing that hampered him was maybe injuries… but no, I think he was rated by everyone.”
- Discussion around Belgium’s so-called “golden generation” and why, despite his brilliance, major international wins eluded them.
- Gary: “Hazard…was slowing it down and you had Kevin de Bruyne who was speeding it up…never really in the same place when it was needed.” ([20:20])
10. Assists and Creative Peers ([21:49] – [23:26])
- Highlighting De Bruyne’s best assists and overall creative output.
- Micah: “Was this possibly his best assist…when City beat Stoke 7-2?” ([21:49])
- Alan (on a threaded through ball): “The weight of pass there is incredible…to have that vision and ability to pull it off.” ([22:02])
- Micah: “119 assists. It’s a lot of assists, isn’t it?”
- De Bruyne compared with Fabregas, Özil, Chris Waddle, Beckham, and Glenn Hoddle.
- Gary: “You say creative midfield players, you'd be right up there with…Glenn Hoddle…Fabregas…Ozil…Waddle…” ([23:12])
- Alan: “With the type of crosses or passes…[De Bruyne has] similarities [with Waddle].” ([23:38])
- Micah: “For me, there are similarities with De Bruyne, with the way Waddle played.” ([24:24])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Alan Shearer on playing with De Bruyne:
“He is probably the one guy that I would love to have played with in the same team.” ([02:05])
- Micah Richards on missing De Bruyne’s talent at Chelsea:
“I just wonder how Chelsea missed the talent that he had.” ([04:09])
- On leadership at City:
“He was a leader with the ball. Definitely…on the pitch Kevin De Bruyne was the one who make things happen all the time.” (Shearer & Lineker, [12:24])
- On signature passes:
“That little thready one, it’s impossible for the…weight of pass there is incredible…inch perfect into your path.” (Shearer, [22:02-22:17])
- On De Bruyne’s influence:
“One of the most gifted, creative players I think the Premier League has ever seen.” (Richards, [23:03])
- Creative midfield legacy:
“You say creative midfield players, you’d be right up there with…Glenn Hoddle…Fabregas…Ozil…Waddle.” (Lineker, [23:12])
Segment Timestamps
- Introduction and topic: [01:08]
- Early De Bruyne praise & role: [01:54]–[04:34]
- Chelsea/Wolfsburg years: [04:09]–[05:34]
- David Silva vs. De Bruyne debate: [06:47]–[07:52]
- Big goals & celebrating against former teams: [07:53]–[09:50]
- City’s title-winning comeback: [10:10]–[12:05]
- All-time Premier League XI debate: [12:32]–[14:11]
- Iconic Newcastle volley discussion: [16:53]–[18:29]
- Four goals vs Wolves: [18:36]–[19:27]
- Legacy and Belgium analysis: [19:33]–[21:49]
- Assists, creative passing, comparisons: [21:49]–[24:27]
Final Reflection
The episode concludes with Alan, Gary, and Micah acknowledging De Bruyne’s rare mix of vision, technical mastery, and consistency. They agree he stands among the creative elite—not just of the Premier League era, but football as a whole—drawing parallels to legends like Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle, and David Beckham. De Bruyne’s enduring influence and the joy he brought to teammates and fans alike mark him as a generational talent whose best moments will live long in football’s memory.
Summary prepared for listeners who want the full flavor, memorable moments, and key insights from the episode “Kevin De Bruyne: The Moments That Made Them” on The Rest is Football.
