Kevin De Bruyne has played down comparisons between himself and new Manchester City signing Enzo Fernández, insisting the Argentine still has plenty to prove before he can be considered his successor.

Fernández joined City in a blockbuster £125 million move and has quickly been touted by some supporters as the man capable of filling the void left by De Bruyne.

However, the Belgian midfielder believes those comparisons are premature.

“I’ve seen a lot of City fans calling Enzo my successor,” De Bruyne said in an interview with Nieuwsblad. “Maybe that’s a bit much for now. He’s a great player, and the quality and potential are definitely there.

“But, if I’m being honest, I don’t think he’s quite at the level I was at during my peak at City yet.”

Fernández has also taken over De Bruyne’s iconic No. 17 shirt at the Etihad, although the Argentine has insisted the choice was based on his own connection to the number rather than an attempt to follow in De Bruyne’s footsteps.

“It’s a number I like. It represents me,” Fernández explained during his presentation. “It was my first number with the national team, so I’m very happy to have it.”

The £125m price tag has only added to the expectations surrounding Fernández, but De Bruyne believes his transfer fee should not be confused with his current status as a player.

“Sometimes I feel people have overrated him because of his price tag and what he’s achieved with Argentina,” he said. “£125 million doesn’t automatically make you a world-class midfielder. He still has a lot to prove.

“If he wants to be my successor, he has to prove it on the pitch first. Wearing my No. 17 is one thing... replacing Kevin De Bruyne is something completely different.”

Fernández, meanwhile, has welcomed the challenge of joining City and is focused on helping the club continue its run of success.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well City is run,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier to be here, and I’m ready for the challenge of helping City continue to win trophies. This is a club built for success.”