Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has suggested that his side may not need another huge points haul to retain their Premier League title this season.

The Citizens hit the 100-points barrier in 2017-18 to finish top of the pile and fell just a couple of points short of that tally last term as they edged out Liverpool.

Much is expected of Pep Guardiola's men this season as they head into the campaign as title favourites, but De Bruyne is expecting City to drop more points this time around.

"We don't need to beat the last two seasons - maybe we can win this season with 85 points," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"It is not about improving, it is about staying consistent, trying to be there every game, trying to win every game. It is not always about doing better, because how can you do better sometimes?

"To win every year what we won the last two years is going to be pretty difficult but it is good to be there."

De Bruyne started just 11 games for City in their most recent Premier League title success due to a series of injuries.