Kevin De Bruyne says Alexis Sanchez will improve the team when he joins Manchester City, but he doesn’t know if that will be in January.

After scoring in Manchester City’s League Cup semi-final win over Bristol City, De Bruyne spoke to the media about Alexis. He said: “A very good player.

“Obviously we will see what happens in this transfer period. If a good player comes to us that is better, if he doesn’t come we do it with the team we have. Everybody is doing a good job. When he comes he will add something to the team.”

The way the Belgian openly talks about an Arsenal player is reminiscent of Barcelona’s pursuit of Fabregas. The Catalan club posted quotes on their official website from Xavi about the midfielder before the move.

Xavi said: “I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering, because he really wants to come. It’s what he most wants, he’s done everything he can to come and wants Arsenal to let him go.”

Whilst De Bruyne’s comments aren’t as openly disrespectful, the reason behind them seems to be the same: make Arsenal out to be the bad guy who won’t let Sanchez have his dream move, then act like Manchester City are the only possible destination for him to reduce the Gunners’ negotiating power. It’s the Guardiola way.

Considering Di Marzio‘s report that City and Sanchez already have a formal agreement on terms – something Wenger has denied – De Bruyne isn’t the only one tapping the Chilean up.

This stuff happens all the time, so we’re not supposed to care about it. Personally, I’d love to see Arsenal report them, but we let Liverpool get away with keeping Suarez illegitimately, so I can’t see it happening.