Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has claimed that he deserves to be named Footballer of the Year for 2017-18.

The Belgian international, who has been tipped as the frontrunner for the award, believes that he should receive the gong over free-scoring Liverpool hitman Mohamed Salah because of the consistency he has shown this season.

"In one way I believe I deserve it, because I have been very consistent in my form," The Mirror quotes De Bruyne as saying. "I am very happy with myself, I am very pleased with how I have played. I didn't expect to be this good this season.

"If I get it, it would be nice for the team and for me. I think there is almost no game where my standard has dropped, so I have been constant, and I am happy with myself."

De Bruyne, who has contributed 20 assists and scored 11 goals during the current campaign, went on to say that 37-goal Salah has been "remarkable" this season.

"Salah has a remarkable goalscoring run, and he plays very well like an inside forward type of role. This season he has been incredible," he added.

Liverpool and City will go head to head in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield later this week.