De Bruyne is 5'11 max, and is definitely much trimmer than he used to be. It is funny watching him run sometimes because he has painfully slow acceleration. Flippin' brilliant player though.
I have always seen a slight similiarity between KDB and our own Smith Rowe. Perhaps it's influenced by their looking similar, but I think there is something in the way they drive with the ball whilst always looking for a pass (although De Bruyne isn't a particularly great dribbler in tight areas). De Bruyne has ball-striking technique that is the best of the best - ESR will never have that - but it was when he started banging beautiful freekicks and curlers in for the U18s that I first started to see the similarity. More to come from him on that front methinks.
Another player that ESR has always reminded me of, in style, is Bobby Pires. It's his upright elegant style, his quick shuffle when he's facing someone up (just like the other night for Saka's goal), and the poise and calm he has in that crucial moment when he has to play a pass or take a shot. He used to brush balls into the corner of the net for fun for the U18s and it was impossible not to be reminded of the great Frenchman.
