Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has praised Manor Solomon ahead of Belgium’s Nations League clash against Israel on Friday night. Solomon joined Leeds United on a season-long loan from Tottenham.
The 25-year old forward had been out for most of the 2023/24 season due to injury. He only managed to make five Premier League appearances last season.
Solomon made his first ever Leeds United start on Saturday against Hull City. He provided an assist for Mateo Joseph as Leeds won 2-0 at Elland Road. The forward’s performance won him the Hisense Player of the Match award.
De Bruyne impressed by Manor Solomon
Solomon scored against Manchester City in the 2019/20 Champions League group stages for Shaktar Donetsk. Now both players will meet on the pitch on Friday night.
Before the game, De Bruyne had some kind words to say about Solomon:
“I know Manor Solomon from the Premier League,” De Bruyne said via One.
“From Fulham, Tottenham, and now he has moved to Leeds.
“He has the qualities to play at this level. He is an excellent player.”
The Premier League winner also said Belgium would have a tough time going up against Israel.
“Israel is a team with a new coach. They only played two games with him against Belarus and Hungary, so it’s not easy to say too much,”
Manor Solomon has seven goals in 37 appearances for his country, and will no doubt be one of their best players on Friday.
Player’s debut vs Hull City earns plaudits
Solomon made his first competitive start at club level since September in the win over Hull City. A performance that has earned praise from people around the club. BBC Leeds journalist Adam Pope spoke highly of the forward on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.
“However, on first sight, hopefully the recruitment team have gone out and got players who adapt very quickly to this level.
“To get that synergy so quickly with Solomon is brilliant. He was the standout for me. Neal Redfearn gave him man of the match, he was so good. He felt like exactly the player we saw help Fulham take Leeds apart. From minute one he was superb.
“I thought he was going to burn out after an hour but he dropped the shoulder twice and got the perfect cross in and I thought ‘this is a guy who is different level’. I thought he was brilliant on the day, fantastic.”
