Kevin De Bruyne 2016/17

[Shaelumstash]

Another fairly anonymous away performance at Upton Park from Kev.

Our best performances were at the start of the season before we bought De Bruyne. Silva in the middle, Sterling and Navas wide, stretching defences with their pace and leaving space in the middle for Silva to dictate play.

During this period we won 5 out of 5, didn't concede a goal, and Silva was in the form of his life.

Since De Bruyne signed our form has been patchy at best, and our best performance was in Seville when he was dropped.

Of course our problems aren't down to De Bruyne as an individual, but we need to start picking a team that functions. A team with balance. A team that wins.

The team that played the first 5 games was without doubt the best functioning set up we've had this season, maybe it's time to go back to that and get on with winning this league?

 

[kaz7]

I keep saying it, no winter break and he is shagged,rest him esp away from home and play navas and sterling down the sides

 

[bluemoon98]

Ffs his biggest fan will be here in a minute telling us why he's the best player in the world....

 

[buzzer1]

No, and neither can dave.

 

[baildon blue]

He needs to be rested for away games .

 

[blueinsa]

No player should ever think or be led to believe he is an automatic choice, no player.

 

[Shaelumstash]

I've said it in other threads, but we're falling in to the Real Madrid trap of playing our biggest stars. It's time we started playing our best team.

 

[west didsblue]

Of course he can. Just needs to be rested every third game. Even when he doesn't play well he still creates more chances than most.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

its his first proper season in the prem, i think he's been superb. I think he does need a rest though

 

[west didsblue]

The biggest two problems with the team at the moment are the continued insistence on starting Yaya and the continued absence of Kompany.

 

[buzzer1]

The biggest two problems with the team at the moment are the continued insistence on starting Yaya and the continued absence of Kompany.

Are starting Dave and KDB,oh and vinny a huge loss.

 

[adrianr]

I've said it in other threads, but we're falling in to the Real Madrid trap of playing our biggest stars. It's time we started playing our best team.

It's never more prevalent than with Silva and De Bruyne either. Same with Nasri. Best in the middle, a compromise out wide. Sterling and Navas should be our starting wide players whenever they are fit and ready to go. They go forward, they get back. You put one of Silva or De Bruyne out there and without a monster of a fullback or midfielders willing to always go across to cover we're just asking for trouble, yet we do it time and time again.

Realistically though this situation is going to crop up until the end of time. Times to buy good players replacement rarely coincide perfectly with that player leaving.

 

[daztrueblue91]

I think he's wasted out wide. I think he could be excellent playing in Yaya's role.

------------ Delph ------ Dinho----------
---------------------KDB-------------------
Silva ----------------------------Sterling
--------------------Kun--------------------

So rather than an number 10 he's more of a CM with a free role. Let him dictate the game from a deeper role and have a license to get forward with two defensive minded midfielders covering him.

He could replicate Lampard and Gerrard for us. Plus his range of passing would be ideal for Kun and Sterling's movement.

 

[buzzer1]

I think he's wasted out wide. I think he could be excellent playing in Yaya's role.

------------ Delph ------ Dinho----------
---------------------KDB-------------------
Silva ----------------------------Sterling
--------------------Kun--------------------

So rather than an number 10 he's more of a CM with a free role. Let him dictate the game from a deeper role and have a license to get forward with two defensive minded midfielders covering him.

He could replicate Lampard and Gerrard for us. Plus his range of passing would be ideal for Kun and Sterling's movement.

He is ONLY a number 10 imo,(i would start Nacho anyway) also change Dave to Navman and you have a team.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

He needs a good rest

 

[domalino]

No, and neither can dave.

442 then?

Navas and Sterling on the wings behind Iheanacho and Aguero?

 

[buzzer1]

He needs a good cattle prodding up his arse.

I agree.

 

[domalino]

He is ONLY a number 10 imo,(i would start Nacho anyway) also change Dave to Navman and you have a team.

But he's quite clearly not "only a ten" is he? He's played in CM in the past, and he's played some of the best games of his life on the wing for Belgium.

 

[schfc6]

Despite it blindingly obvious we're a better team with Navas over De Bruyne there would mutiny if Pellegrini did it regularly.

Certain things work at City and aren't broke yet we try to fix them. This is where I feel a little sorry for the manager. My best bet, Pellegrini would love to play Navas over De Bruyne, but try justifying that to your boss who's spent £50 million on him. De Bruyne doesn't suit our system, for me it's him or Silva for the no 10 or advanced midfield role. It's a no brainer, Silva is miles ahead of him.

Ya Ya and Fernandinho also works, but fans and media a like start to cry when we concede. As I've put on anothe thread, our shambolic defence, is no more shambolic than any other defence.

I think Pellegrini has a set way of playing, he should stick with it. To me he seems to be trying too hard to accommodate too many parties. He should be less charming and more determined. He's got 4 months left, he should play the team he wants, if he pisses of De Bruyne, Txiki or some fans so be it.

I agree with Shaelum, I think we have an obvious starting xi for the majority of our games, and that doesn't include De Bruyne.

 

[bluetev]

He needs a good rest

Agreed.
Unfortunately the chances of our manager realising that are slim.