#17 | Kevin De Bruyne - 2021/22 Performances

  • Thread starter Thread starter MAG
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Lavinda Past said:
When I say he's getting an easy ride, I mean that people seem to treat every poor pass/shot as a 'rarity' based on his supposed world class status.
He's not world class anymore my opinion. He has great moments, but imo they aren't as frequent enough to justify the continued 'godlike status' that many seem to have elevated him to.
He's not a starter for me. He's been underwhelming.
Click to expand...
This is not a criticism of a once magnificent player and still very good player, but I personally think we are a better team without this current KDB.

Bernardo particularly looks a very different and far better player without KDB, he becomes even more responsible on the pitch.
 
Blu1 said:
Not fully fit
His free role has to stop as it’s leaving big gaps. Wouldn’t mind see him at false 9 this way he doesn’t have to cover as much ground
Click to expand...
I’m not quite sure you understand both what a false nine is, and the position KDB has played numerous times this season.

I’ll give you a clue…watch some video of us pressing in the final third.

In fact, I wish I had a clip if Pep talking recently about playing with TWO false nines!

Shit! I said I’d give you a clue and then told you the answer! Must be my New Year’s resolution to be nicer!

:-)

OK, one more clue…when we play the two false nines, who are they and what happens to the wingers if the ball gets past the two central pressers? And THEN what happens?

The hard part is there is no single correct answer, but there are lots of wrong ones.
 
Keeper! said:
This is not a criticism of a once magnificent player and still very good player, but I personally think we are a better team without this current KDB.

Bernardo particularly looks a very different and far better player without KDB, he becomes even more responsible on the pitch.
Click to expand...
we are a better team against midtable and other shit teams. but whenever we play a strong team KDB is still a must, because he can alwasys conjure up some magic in a tight game. his legs are not the same though, so the only place I will put his is as a false 9.
 
Keeper! said:
This is not a criticism of a once magnificent player and still very good player, but I personally think we are a better team without this current KDB.

Bernardo particularly looks a very different and far better player without KDB, he becomes even more responsible on the pitch.
Click to expand...
I'm destined to be shot down for this, but I think that we would be better off selling KDB this month or next summer, than we would keeping him.
Yes, he's still a very good player (magnificent on his day) but, as we have proved many times over the past three seasons, we can live without him.
 
Lavinda Past said:
When I say he's getting an easy ride, I mean that people seem to treat every poor pass/shot as a 'rarity' based on his supposed world class status.
He's not world class anymore my opinion. He has great moments, but imo they aren't as frequent enough to justify the continued 'godlike status' that many seem to have elevated him to.
He's not a starter for me. He's been underwhelming.
Click to expand...
Depends on what you mean by world class? if by world class technical level, then he can still reach the same technical heights as before. but if you mean by consistency then I agree he does not seem to be able to do it in 3 games a week.
 
Lavinda Past said:
I'm destined to be shot down for this, but I think that we would be better off selling KDB this month or next summer, than we would keeping him.
Yes, he's still a very good player (magnificent on his day) but, as we have proved many times over the past three seasons, we can live without him.
Click to expand...
what kind of nonsense is this? he might not be consistently at a high level like before, but he can still be the most decisive player in any given game. He can still be the most decisive player in us winning a CL where it is all about producing magic moments.
 
Lavinda Past said:
I'm destined to be shot down for this, but I think that we would be better off selling KDB this month or next summer, than we would keeping him.
Yes, he's still a very good player (magnificent on his day) but, as we have proved many times over the past three seasons, we can live without him.
Click to expand...
I said it earlier in the year and nothing has really changed for me. If somebody came along with a big enough bid I'd accept it. On the flip side if he stayed (which considering the huge contract he signed, seems the most likely) then I can hardly be unhappy at that either.
There's no doubting his ability as a footballer and the moments of magic he's capable of but his age and general fitness have started to work against him and I'd be surprised if his form ever gets close to peak KDB again.
The false 9 is probably the safest position for him right now because I think we lose too much control when he's in midfield.
 
He looked very "leggy" on Saturday, with Arsenal players going past him far too easily. He's not the most tenacious tackler at the best of times but it's very noticeable now. He almost needs to be told to take a month off, get some rest and sun and come back refreshed. No way would I even think about selling him.
 
He isn’t capable of closing down like our younger nippier wingers and Bernardo but that’s about it for any weaknesses.

his passing for a proper centre forward (haaland) would be fantastic.

all those saying they would sell him, dear me.
 
kaz7 said:
Lol
Click to expand...
lot of people here come up with some reactionary nonsense that is worse than the shit english media. KDB is still probably one of the most decisive player in our team now. he was incredible in leeds game, got the first goal in the lecister game, got the amazing assist at bentford, made the cross that made the goal possible in the arsenal game. If we have any decisive game in the CL KDB will be one of the first name on the team sheet
 
Agueroooo9320 said:
lot of people here come up with some reactionary nonsense that is worse than the shit english media. KDB is still probably one of the most decisive player in our team now. he was incredible in leeds game, got the first goal in the lecister game, got the amazing assist at bentford, made the cross that made the goal possible in the arsenal game. If we have any decisive game in the CL KDB will be one of the first name on the team sheet
Click to expand...
If you think people are being reactionary when it comes to Kev then that's on you. Some just maybe think that we are more capable of playing without him now than we ever have been before due to evolvement of our game.
I don't actively want him sold but it certainly wouldn't piss me off like it would have done if it happened 18month ago.
Yes, he can still play an exceptional pass every so often but this team is so much more than that.
 
I think he still has a lot to offer us. Given his fitness issues he's no longer a nailed-on starter for us - but then, lots of players aren't. Pep's commitment to rotation means it's not unusual or any great hardship to have yet another player who can't or won't play every minute of every match.

We have to keep the balance right, as he's a player who needs time on the pitch to stay sharp, but his fitness can't keep up with playing all the time.

I'd like to see him carefully managed with involvement in on average 1 match per week, which match it is being decided on the basis of where we think he can most benefit the team, combined with how quickly he can recover after his last involvement.

And whether that means playing in his traditional midfield role or further forward, we also need to start getting some playing time in the middle for one or more additional players (presumably Foden and/or Grealish).

Our usual formation needs 2 players there, we currently have 3 fantastic players to cover those positions, but only Bernardo has the stamina to play all of every match. If there was a significant injury to him, KDB or Gundo, one of the latter two would have to increase playing time (if Bernardo was injured, they both would) and I think there's a real risk they'd struggle to do it at the level and consistency needed.

I think we have the skills in the squad to share that burden, just need to make sure we build the experience too.

But I wouldn't sell Kev unless he personally wanted to go. I think he still has match-winning moments to come, and a role to play in the development of his successor/s.

His contract runs to 2025. Depending on how his ankle holds up, I can see him retiring then or before. We've got space in our squad to bring in other players without getting rid of him. I say keep him for as long as he's offering us anything and his presence isn't hindering the squad.
 
Agueroooo9320 said:
lot of people here come up with some reactionary nonsense that is worse than the shit english media. KDB is still probably one of the most decisive player in our team now. he was incredible in leeds game, got the first goal in the lecister game, got the amazing assist at bentford, made the cross that made the goal possible in the arsenal game. If we have any decisive game in the CL KDB will be one of the first name on the team sheet
Click to expand...
I appreciate what you're saying, but I'm not criticising Kevin or 'reacting' to anything but the obvious.
Yes, Kevin is one of the most influential players, not only in our team, but in the world, however he's not a 'leader' and we have been carrying him to an increasing degree over this season.
He's not quite got 'it' for most games. Moments of brilliance among more poor moments than we've seen from him since he arrived. He's looking his age, particularly after a series of bad injuries and illness, and recovery takes longer as you get older. It's very obvious that he's past his peak and isn't as capable in the majority of situations as others in the squad.
The suggestion that he plays 'false 9' in big/important games makes a lot of sense, but in my opinion, not as much sense as getting a big fee for him and creating a place/funds for (say) Haaland.
I honestly don't see Kevin playing a major role in the team next season and think we will see significant tactical/system changes built around Foden and Grealish.
We don't need to hang on to players past their best and on a downhill slope. There's no time for sentiment in modern football, particularly if there's a risk of blocking progression of young prospects.
 
Agueroooo9320 said:
lot of people here come up with some reactionary nonsense that is worse than the shit english media. KDB is still probably one of the most decisive player in our team now. he was incredible in leeds game, got the first goal in the lecister game, got the amazing assist at bentford, made the cross that made the goal possible in the arsenal game. If we have any decisive game in the CL KDB will be one of the first name on the team sheet
Click to expand...
This and only this.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top