17 | Kevin De Bruyne - 2022/23 Performances

[OrigamiNinja]

I don’t think theres any argument that he’s our most creative player…..however it’s his carelessness with his passing that’s really costing us control of games which used to be our strength……this has been a constant throughout the season but more noticeable now because of our defensive frailties.

We have plenty control of games. We spend the majority of every game in total control, passing it sideways and backwards on the halfway line. We have so much control that we have become negative, boring and easy to setup against. Take KDB out of the equation and it would be like watching paint dry.

 

[jaiguruKun]

Thought he played well, he was our main threat all game.

 

[PragueBlue]

Take KDB out of the equation and it would be like watching paint dry.

It hasn't been like that in the past. We've been fine without him on the occasions that he's been out injured.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

It hasn't been like that in the past. We've been fine without him on the occasions that he's been out injured.

I’m not saying that it hasn’t worked in the past, or it can’t work again. I just don’t see how it can work at this moment, when we have so many out of form. Who do you trust to step up to the mark at the min? I wouldn’t bet on any of them.

 

[PragueBlue]

I’m not saying that it hasn’t worked in the past, or it can’t work again. I just don’t see how it can work at this moment, when we have so many out of form. Who do you trust to step up to the mark at the min? I wouldn’t bet on any of them.

Maybe they're out of form due to the system we're playing.

I reckon a midfield 3 of Rodri, Bernardo and Gundogan would step up.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

I’m not disputing that KDB is out of form, but all you have done there is replace him with other players who see plenty of game time and more often than not create nothing.

I haven’t checked the stats, but I would be very surprised if all of those mentioned, have more assists combined than KDB…this season, last 12 months, whatever timeframe. This team is currently struggling to create/score goals, I’m not sure how removing the most creative player in the Prem is going to change that.

He certainly needs rotating more.

That’s now 12 full 90 minutes in the Prem out of 18 games with 2 games where he was only taken off on 88 minutes. He’s started 17 of 18 Prem games.

He’s our only creative player when he plays but we would surely see others step up in his absence?

 

[Blue Llama]

Maybe they're out of form due to the system we're playing.

I reckon a midfield 3 of Rodri, Bernardo and Gundogan would step up.

They might do but not quickly

 

[FantasyIreland]

Thought he played well, he was our main threat all game.

Other than the assist,which of course was brilliant,he did next to nothing and generally looked like he'd run a marathon prior to kick off.

I'll say it again,because i couldnt give a fuck if im right or wrong or who it upsets.....i think he is capable of football that very few others are,and he is always likely to come up with a game changing contribution,however,that comes at a cost.

For large parts of the game his contribution is less than required,he gives the ball away or struggles to retain it and he cant dominate the centre of the park with crunching tackles like he was once capable.I also think his presence pushes other players into areas they are less effective.

I genuinely believe,as the squad stands,and that would change if we had different options to the usual no 10 type,we would be more fluid and less restricted without him starting.

 

[applejuice]

KDB contributed a moment of magic today. But he had some blame in rags opening goal. He did not track the man he should mark thus the pitch was opened up. Although in the end it was an offsite goal.

KDB used to be the best one on concentration but it shows signs of decline recently. I would think that put Gundo for him/or Bernado after we got the winner to close some gaps in the middle.

He is still our star man. But we need to start to plan for the future.

 

[skillman]

Time for a break, I think. He’s our most creative player because of Pep’s woeful tactics of relying on him to produce magic from nowhere.

Don’t think it’d be a harmful decision to either Pep or KDB to let him have a rest - recharge KDB’s batteries and make Pep realise there’s a lot of fucking attacking talent in their own right and now just pawns to KDB.