Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne recognizes a talented attacking midfielder when he sees one.
And arguably the best in his position anywhere in world football believes Leeds United may have pulled off something of a coup in the final days of the summer transfer window.
De Bruyne faced Manor Solomon as Manchester City faced Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage.
The latter beat the former on that occasion as well, scoring the equalizer at the Etihad Stadium just moments before De Bruyne was sent off by Pep Guardiola.
And with De Bruyne’s Belgium hosting Solomon’s Israel in their opening Nations League game on Friday night, any hopes the visitors may have of emulating Shakhtar’s famous away draw against Man City five years ago may rest on Solomon’s lanky shoulders.
Kevin de Bruyne is a big fan of Leeds United’s Manor Solomon
After an injury-hit 2023/24 campaign, the Tottenham Hotspur loanee made a stunning first impression on his Leeds debut in last week’s 2-0 win against Hull City.
The silky-smooth, swivel-hipped Solomon then heads into the international break with his fitness restored and his form restored.
“I know Manor Solomon from the Premier League,” De Bruyne said, via One. “From Fulham, Tottenham and now he’s moved to Leeds.
“He has the qualities to play at this level. He is a great player.”
De Bruyne, who is set to earn his 106th win against Ran Ben Shimon’s side, also singled out Oscar Gloukh as another danger for Israel.
Not so long ago he was linked with Tottenham, Celtic and Rangers, but now he’s honing his talents at a Salzburg side that has consistently proven – see Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Dominik Szoboszlai – that Red Bull really does give you wings.
“I also know Oskar Gloch,” adds De Bruyne. “We have seen footage from the Israeli games, both in defense and attack. This is a new team. There is quality in Israel and we will try to create problems for them.”
“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,” added Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, agreeing with De Bruyne on the identity of Israel’s biggest threat.
“(I can) mention here players who played at the highest level. For example, Manor Solomon and Oskar Gloch and other players.
“They come hungry and brave and they seem to want to play football even when they are under pressure.”
Tottenham loanees are weighing up Georginio Rutter’s departure
Solomon, a target of Aston Villa and West Ham before joining Tottenham in 2023, is a Champions League footballer who now plays in the Championship.
Hull’s scintillating performance was a tantalizing glimpse of what the 25-year-old – who joined alongside £10million Largie Ramazani – is capable of. He may be one of the few players available to Leeds and could prove to be an upgrade on the departing Georginio Rutter or Crysencia Summerville.
“I thought Solomon was man of the match to be honest,” former Leeds manager Neil Redfearn, who signed the award in the summer during a game in which Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe found the net, told BBC Radio Leeds.
“He has a quality that is better than this level. You can see it. In the first 20 minutes it was like going on fumes. He was unplayable at times.
“Solomon and (Wilfried) Gnonto have the ability to get out of tight areas. I like Solomon a lot and I see him as a 10 because I think he’s smart enough.”