With Kevin De Bruyne set to return to Manchester after just a few months away, it’s worth looking at how the Belgian has started life in the Naples.
The 34-year-old midfielder spent 10 years at Manchester City, making 422 appearances, scoring 108 goals and providing 177 assists in his 31,071 minutes played.
De Bruyne joined Antonio Conte at Napoli this summer, linking up with other ex-Premier League stars such as Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund.
Since arriving, the Belgian has made three appearances, scoring twice and leading his new side to the top of Serie A with three wins from three.
In this article, we’ll look at:
De Bruyne’s start to life in Naples
De Bruyne has started all three games for Antonio Conte’s side, playing 240 minutes and scoring two goals already.
Plenty of Manr City fans were sad to see the Belgian leave, but questions had been raised on his availability and durability over the course of a Premier League campaign, failing to play over 2500 minutes in the previous two seasons.
However, Conte has shown so far his willingness to manage De Bruyne with late game substitutions and clever usage of the Belgian to limit his defensive workload.
De Bruyne has averaged just 1.92 shots per 90 minutes for Napoli, generating 0.46 Expected Goals per 90 and only taking 2.31 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 (nearly half his 4.18 at Man City last season).
Instead, the Belgian has more freedom to drift inside or outside to receive the ball, has the team set up around him to make off ball runs and hit shots from range when he wishes.
- De Bruyne shots per 90 in 2024-25: 3.02
- De Bruyne shots per 90 in 2025-26: 1.92
- De Bruyne average shot distance in 2024-25: 21.4 yards
- De Bruyne average shot distance in 2025-26: 26.7 yards
- De Bruyne touches in opposition penalty area per 90 in 2024-25: 4.18
- De Bruyne touches in opposition penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 2.31
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McTominay and Spinazzola partnerships
Conte’s plan to maximise De Bruyne in his Napoli side includes the partnerships being formed between the Belgian and both McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola.
In the opening three games of the season, Conte has opted to play McTominay off the left, De Bruyne as the left attacking midfielder and Spinazzola at left-back, instructed to overlap and provide the width on that left side.
This allows McTominay to drift centrally, making runs into the box and doing what he does best, attacking the last line and being a goal threat.
Despite De Bruyne’s starting position, his relationship with both McTominay and Spinazzola often means the Belgian finds himself deepest on the ball, with the pair running beyond him as passing options.
- McTominay shots per 90 2025-26: 3.00
- McTominay touches in opposition penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 4.00
- McTominay progressive passes received per 90 in 2025-26: 7.00
- Spinazzola shot creating actions per 90 in 2025-26: 4.12
- Spinazzola progressive passes received per 90 in 2025-26: 5.88
Conte’s clever usage
But where it gets even more clever in Conte’s usage of the Belgian star, is how he is protected out of possession to lessen his defensive workload.
As mentioned previously, McTominay starts on the left with Spinazzola offering width when on the ball, but out of possession, McTominay often protects the middle of the pitch, acting more as the left central midfielder.
This allows De Bruyne to drift slightly wider out of possession, giving him less work defensively, but also leaving him free as an outlet when Napoli regain possession.
McTominay’s box to box profile is very complimentary of De Bruyne, putting an engine on the same side as the technician to optimise his usage.
- McTominay tackles and interceptions per 90 in 2025-26: 1.33
- McTominay ball recoveries per 90 in 2025-26: 3.33
- Spinazzola tackles and interceptions per 90 in 2025-26: 1.18
- Spinazzola ball recoveries per 90 in 2025-26: 4.71
Playmaking untapped
De Bruyne has been known for his playmaking throughout his career, clocking 261 career assists and ranking second in the Premier League all time assists chart with 119 (only Ryan Giggs has more).
But with all the early positives to his start in Naples, De Bruyne is yet to register an assist, something that seems like only a matter of time.
With the Belgian on set-pieces, dropping deep to release runners in behind and also having the box threat of McTominay and Hojlund to target with his famous half space crosses.
De Bruyne is already averaging 2.31 key passes per 90, creating 2.25 chances per 90 and putting up 0.31 Expected Assists per 90.
- De Bruyne progressive passes per 90 in 2025-26: 5.77
- De Bruyne key passes per 90 in 2025-26: 2.31
- De Bruyne passes into the penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 2.69
- De Bruyne crosses per 90 in 2025-26: 3.85
The 34-year-old could record his first assist for Napoli against his beloved Manchester City at the Etihad, a fitting return for the midfield legend, which could set off his playmaking spree in a back to back Scudetto campaign for the Italian club, or at least that will be what they’re hoping for!