De Bruyne has been the driving force behind City's runaway league campaign. Pep Guardiola's men sit 16 points ahead of second-placed Manchester United with a chance to clinch the title this weekend with a win over their city rivals at the Etihad.

The Belgium international has been in wonderful form all season, providing a league-high 15 assists to go along with seven goals and numerous impressive displays from midfield.

"In one way I believe I deserve it, because I have been very consistent in my form. I am very happy with myself," De Bruyne said of winning the award. "I am very pleased with how I have played and I didn't expect to be this good this season to be honest.

"There is almost no game where my standard has dropped, so I have been very constant. To maintain the level in the amount of games I have played, the amount of minutes, I am very pleased with that."

Liverpool's Salah is on pace to break the Prem's single-season goals record in what has become a remarkable breakout season for the former Chelsea castoff.

His 29 goals from 31 appearances are four more than Harry Kane, his next closest competitor. Salah has also added nine assists but De Bruyne said comparing the two players' resumes is difficult.

"You cannot compare, it is impossible," De Bruyne said. "Everybody has his own opinion. It depends on what people are looking for in a player.

"Salah has been on a remarkable goalscoring run and he plays very well in an inside forward type of role. This season he has been incredible, so to compare us, I don't know.

"With the statistics, how are we going to compare ourselves? It's totally different.

"I played at the weekend like a defensive midfielder, so how you can compare me to an inside forward? I have no idea.

"But Salah has been outstanding, his record speaks for itself. It's just the way it goes. Luckily I don't have to make the decision."