17 | Kevin De Bruyne - 2024/25

[Colin Bells Boots]

He is returning from injury and probably brought on to build up his match fitness.

Even players of his quality can't always produce match changing performances, but building up his fitness can certainly help in the process.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

He’s not fit and he’s currently playing a bit part in a team that’s playing under the kosh.

Time to turn all the alarms off for a week or two and see where we are, and he is, in 2025.

Yes, he is in the twilight of an exceptional career, but he still has much to offer. However, a virtuoso conductor can’t do much with an orchestra that’s currently playing out of tune.

For the first 35 mins of the Brighton game, we were exceptional and, as has been the case for some time, we simply did not turn dominance of possession and attacking into goals. Kev was not on the field for the “City circa 2023” cameo appearance, but was somehow expected to change a game that was slipping away from us when the “City circa late 2024” was on its heels!

There’s always a chance, and never say never, but he was the least of our concerns in the end. The term “hot knife thru butter” seems to apply to our defence at times, and the inability to get the ball away from the danger area is alarming at times. That isn’t a KDB problem

Yeah, I remember the days when we were winning the second and third titles that the RDAHMeedya were scoffing at how inept our defence was. And then they looked at the stats and saw we were rock solid. The constant changing of the back four doesn't add solidity and must give Eddie a lot of food for thought.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Good to see him on the pitch. Looks unfit? WHAT a surprise!!

He can offer the last 20 mins here and there as a sub. Give him 4 more weeks to see what he can offer when really match fit.

Says everything about McAtee obviously not being ready for our 1st team, disappointing.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I genuinely don't remember the last time I saw a sub appearance as bad as that.

Worried that we haven't got enough industry in midfield now to cover for his ageing legs and high risk/high reward play.

I guess we'll have to see.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

No need to disrespect a club legend. If he's past it then he's past it. If he's just rusty then he's got time to get up to speed. Time will tell.

There's a long, long way to go yet. Patience. Some of you are too quick to stab our players in the back with a white flag.

 

[.db.]

Right, Kev. You’re on your way back and your club needs you more than ever.

You’re one of the last remaining stars of the greatest team in English football history. We need you to channel that inner Centurion, Fourmidable, Treble and Four-in-a-row winning experience and quality and drag us through the upcoming games and months.

We need that magic in your feet to give us some big moments to get us back on track, just one more time. This will likely be your swan song, so let’s make it a good season to go out on.

 

[RayCTID]

He has dug deep on a few occasions to claw us a couple of League titles hopefully he has something left in the tank to get us back in to some rhythm.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

No need to disrespect a club legend. If he's past it then he's past it. If he's just rusty then he's got time to get up to speed. Time will tell.

There's a long, long way to go yet. Patience. Some of you are too quick to stab our players in the back with a white flag.

we've had the is he past it conversation every injury for the last 3 years, and then he drops 10 assists in 15 games on our heads again. as long as he can kick a ball, he'll make goals. just how do we cover the running if its that.

 

[IronsideKozuch]

KDB struggling with injuries, we have been hear before. Last season 18 PL games, still 10 assists. Few UCL games only, still one of the best players against Real. This year had 3 proper games and gave assist and goal.

Same people who been pushing Pep to play him are surprised hes not yet ready. Pep told us this much. Kevin needs time and hes gonna be massive help for us when the time comes.

People slandering him hear, absolute bonkers.

 

[Dazzle84]

He is returning from injury and probably brought on to build up his match fitness.

Even players of his quality can't always produce match changing performances, but building up his fitness can certainly help in the process.

So bringing him on to build up match fitness in a game that's finely balanced is a good idea? When we don't play again for a fortnight. Seems like a bit of a flyer to me that one

 

[IronsideKozuch]

So bringing him on to build up match fitness in a game that's finely balanced is a good idea? When we don't play again for a fortnight. Seems like a bit of a flyer to me that one

Yes. As part of the process bringing back KDB to his best again. You start like that so KDB can feel himself how much work ahead.

Even though we had shit period, we have not lost a thing yet.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

So bringing him on to build up match fitness in a game that's finely balanced is a good idea? When we don't play again for a fortnight. Seems like a bit of a flyer to me that one

Obviously your professional opinion is recognised along with your natural charm , and I should know better than trying offer an opinion to an esteemed individual.

In view of the issues the team are currently experiencing , perhaps you would be kind enough to volunteer your qualified thoughts to Pep, as he would surely be honoured by such a thoughtful gesture.

 

[BlueTG]

KDB struggling with injuries, we have been hear before. Last season 18 PL games, still 10 assists. Few UCL games only, still one of the best players against Real. This year had 3 proper games and gave assist and goal.

Same people who been pushing Pep to play him are surprised hes not yet ready. Pep told us this much. Kevin needs time and hes gonna be massive help for us when the time comes.

People slandering him hear, absolute bonkers.

Therein lies the problem with Kev now. He’s not available nearly enough and needs much of that time getting back up to speed.

 

[Lavinda Past]

If you have the audacity to make cheap psychoanalyses (based on alleged claims on social media) about a person you don't know personally, only professional help can be recommended.

Big words for a football forum those are.

I base my opinions on what I see, and I see a player who doesn't seem to be very happy at the moment.

I also see a player approaching the end of a gorious career, who doesn't appear capable of producing the required levels of performance required at City.

I also see a lot of fans who are, quite reasonably, hoping for a significant turnaround in Kevin's performance.

I hope they're right and that I'm proved wrong but I really don’t see it happening.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Tel me which players at the moment do you think appear capable of producing the required levels of performance required at City.

Good question. Based on what has (to date) been a very underwhelming season by our standards...

Ederson and Ortega

Stones, Dias, Ake, Akanji, and Gvardiol

Kovacic, Foden

Haaland

Borderline... Lewis and Savinho

The rest (barring Rodri and Bobb obviously) are effectively treading water. There are definitely good games in them, but too few and far between imo. Gundogan left City at the right time for all parties. Bringing him back was perhaps an understandable knee-jerk reaction, but it was no more than a sticking plaster on a broken leg truth be told.

A radical refresh was needed last summer. For some reason, it just didn't happen.

 

[Yue Wollongong]

Good question. Based on what has (to date) been a very underwhelming season by our standards...

Ederson and Ortega

Stones, Dias, Ake, Akanji, and Gvardiol

Kovacic, Foden

Haaland

Borderline... Lewis and Savinho

The rest (barring Rodri and Bobb obviously) are effectively treading water. There are definitely good games in them, but too few and far between imo. Gundogan left City at the right time for all parties. Bringing him back was perhaps an understandable knee-jerk reaction, but it was no more than a sticking plaster on a broken leg truth be told.

A radical refresh was needed last summer. For some reason, it just didn't happen.

I can agree with the list. I'm not sure about Akanji though. He always panics and do radical move when really pressed.

 

[Keeper!]

Good question. Based on what has (to date) been a very underwhelming season by our standards...

Ederson and Ortega

Stones, Dias, Ake, Akanji, and Gvardiol

Kovacic, Foden

Haaland

Borderline... Lewis and Savinho

The rest (barring Rodri and Bobb obviously) are effectively treading water. There are definitely good games in them, but too few and far between imo. Gundogan left City at the right time for all parties. Bringing him back was perhaps an understandable knee-jerk reaction, but it was no more than a sticking plaster on a broken leg truth be told.

A radical refresh was needed last summer. For some reason, it just didn't happen.

Agree with you here, Savinho apart, for me he's had a fine start , the lad is 20 yrs old playing in his first season in the PL. Something about this lad tells me he will be a top class player for us for a long time.

You have been harsh on KDB's character but right in his decline and people on here not accepting the end for him is here.

I have said many times loyalty can be a great thing but also dangerous, it's something as a club we need to be careful of, Kun, Kompany, KDB and Walker examples of incredible loyalty from us but a year too much?

Sometimes the best stay the best through shear ruthlessness.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Good to see him on the pitch. Looks unfit? WHAT a surprise!!

He can offer the last 20 mins here and there as a sub. Give him 4 more weeks to see what he can offer when really match fit.

Says everything about McAtee obviously not being ready for our 1st team, disappointing.

Yeah, when yer see how Foden, Oscar 'n Palmer have moved up the gears. He might be a slow starter, hopefully, Mind you, 'twas always the hope that got yer!

 

[Keeper!]

I can agree with the list. I'm not sure about Akanji though. He always panics and do radical move when really pressed.

FFS ,Akanji has been one of the clubs finest players in the last 18 months

 

[fulabeer]

Bloody hell! Give him a break...