Kevin De Bruyne is ready to take on a bigger role in Belgium’s midfield after facing accusations of being unable to replicate his impressive club form at Premier League champions Manchester City for his country.”I didn’t do it before because I was young and I didn’t have the profile I have now,” De Bruyne.
“From now on, I have to shoulder my responsibility,” he said, adding that a role as “boss” behind Belgium’s offensive trio of Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard came “instinctively”, and not from coach Roberto Martinez.
De Bruyne did not convince all of his critics in the 3-0 opening win over debutants Panama on Monday, in which Belgium’s “golden generation” claims were looking thin until a brilliant solo strike from Mertens settled their nerves after the break.
Belgium aimed to wrap up qualification by beating Tunisia in Moscow on Saturday, De Bruyne said, so the clash with England, who should beat Panama after opening with a win against the North Africans, would be relaxed.
That said, he stressed, meeting club mates and Premier League rivals would make for a tough game.
“It’s never friendly,” he said.