India, May 27 -- There is a Jose Mourinho connection between Kevin de Bruyne and Luka Modric who have adorned the clubs they are leaving this season. About Modric, Mourinho had no doubt and asked Real Madrid fans and the demanding Spanish media to be patient. At Chelsea, that was not what De Bruyne wanted to do.

Over a decade later, both would feel vindicated with their career moves. The numbers are staggering. Modric has played 591 matches for Real Madrid scoring 43 goals and making 95 assists. In 422 matches for Manchester City, De Bruyne has 108 goals and 177 assists.

They have 44 major trophies between them and that would be one way of measuring success. Pep Guardiola and Florentino Perez tearing up as De Bruyne and Modric said thei...