17 | Kevin De Bruyne - 2024/25

[.db.]

He was pissed off the entire match. The only Belgian player actually running and trying. Belgium NT culture is one of entitlement and laziness. And Doku is a major part of it.

Seen it a few times with Doku’s attempts at getting back to defend at City. He can look electric with the ball at his feet but I’d guess that each player doesn’t have the ball at his feet for about 97% of a football match and the 97% is still part of the game and if you need to contribute within that 97% you should do so with the same intensity as you do with the ball at your feet.

 

[Gabriel]

Played well today. Near the death, that through ball with the outside of his left foot to Gvardiol was exquisite.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Better decision making and we could have had another couple of big chances. Good to see him play 90 minutes again.

 

[Ahmad]

I loved the hustle and the hunger he was showing all game! It sets the pace for everyone else on the pitch to go and do that bit more!

 

[Gabriel]

Moment in the second half when the ball bounced around their box and a clutch of players stood and waited, not him. He went full throttle and won it, just like he did for Gundogan’s winner against Villa.

 

[Kippaxpete]

Moment in the second half when the ball bounced around their box and a clutch of players stood and waited, not him. He went full throttle and won it, just like he did for Gundogan’s winner against Villa.

I thought exactly the same at that point. He might not have quite the same acceleration but he certainly plays with the same intensity.

 

[skillman]

Looked fucked at the end. Will benefit him in the long run I hope!

 

[Crooked_rain]

Hope we get the opportunity to rest him sometimes

One of his best attributes is he leaves it all on the pitch, but obviously that's not always great in the long run. I'm sure they'll manage him right.

 

[TonyM]

I'd like to see him out wide with Grealish more central sometimes. I think his crossing would be insanely good and Grealish would benefit imo from being in the thick of it.

However we would forgo KDBs through balls.

 

[.db.]

Hope we get the opportunity to rest him sometimes

One of his best attributes is he leaves it all on the pitch, but obviously that's not always great in the long run. I'm sure they'll manage him right.

The one good thing about his operation and long lay off is that he’s been well rested in the last year with the 5 months he had off.

The Euros and short pre-season came at a good time for him really as he needed game time to keep the momentum going after coming back from those 5 months off.

He looks a lot sharper and fitter at the moment so a good couple more games against Inter and Arsenal and he can have the midweek off against Watford and be ready and fresh for Newcastle.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Any word on him?

That was about as bad as I've ever seen him play, although his third game in just over a week seemed like a lot to begin with. He still created some good chances and had a chance to score himself in his defence.

 

[ford7]

Pep needs to reduce his playing time.

 

[alexmcity]

Kevin hasn't dominated a big game since 22/23, Arsenal at home. Last season, he was poor vs Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real, United (FA Cup final). The trend continued with Inter.

Hope he gets back to his best days. He still can boss weaker teams, e.g. Palace away, which can help us win the league again. But something essential is missing in the big games. Foden should start ahead of him. And also Bernie, whose bottom level is much better than Kevin's.

 

[jimharri]

Not sure about some of the takes on Kevin on here. However, we need to accept that his playing time will have to be significantly reduced from now on. His body just isn't up to it any more. These "non impact" injuries are becoming more and more common.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Well I hope those 2 games in the conference league for belgium (where he moaned and said he wants to quit) were worth it. He went away on top of his game, rolling back the years and looking close to his best, and last night he look tired, frail and old. And now he's injured. Farcical

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Once again, he’s getting flogged to death as the second striker (#10 role) on the high press, which means he has almost zero recovery pace and the opposition midfield has the freedom of the park!

It’s all well and good playing 3-3-4, but when one of your best players is gassed by 60 mins (sometimes earlier), in the season after his recovery from serious hamstring surgery, and you still drive him on into the latter stages of every game, you’re simply asking for trouble…and we seem to get it.

Looked like an awkward landing, like a jolt to the ankle, which he clearly felt he either couldn’t run off or couldn’t risk for Sunday.

Either way, he has to be managed, which doesn’t mean flogging him senseless every 3 days!

 

[Withnail]

Well I hope those 2 games in the conference league for belgium (where he moaned and said he wants to quit) were worth it. He went away on top of his game, rolling back the years and looking close to his best, and last night he look tired, frail and old. And now he's injured. Farcical

Quite evident his game time needs to be managed and last night it showed. He needs to follow Gundo's lead and retire from international football, unfortunately that doesn't look likely in the near future.

 

[wolfie1988]

Reckon they've been measuring if Kev is worth a new contract by flogging him and seeing if his body holds up.

 

[Sir peace frog]

He was woeful last night, but with kev he always has an assist in him ,gave the ball away alot last night, not his best game

 

[Jezza11]

Needs to think about knockin international footy on the head. Them 2 pointless games he played 90 mins caught up with him quickly. Once his game time is managed i reckon we will see him back to his best. Ohhhhh kevin de bruyne!!