Again this is a relative error. If most of our players are hitting 9-10s but DeBryune was hitting a 7. In relative terms he was poor compared to Silva and Fernandihno for example. But in absolute terms he wasnt poor. The point the guy I responded to was making was that he still had assists ( I.e was still being productive) even in a subdued performance in comparison to Silva in the games people deemed he was poor.And? Anyone who's watched Kev knows he can have a shit game and still get an assist from one good delivery at a set piece. Conversely he didn't get any stat for setting up Iheanacho and Sterlings goals yesterday but it was brilliant play.
I'm not sure how anyone who watched those first few games can say he wasn't off it.
He was clearly struggling to adapt to the new position and style and even said himself he sometimes didn't know where or when to run.
The international break obviously helped him assimilate the ideas and now he's better than ever, but he wasn't comfortable in the first couple of games.
tTo be fair I see more of Pavel Neved when I watch Kev. Both are intensely driven towards what's functionally required to win.Zidane never had the goalscoring threat KDB has, although he did a better job of dictating a game and from a crazily high position in an era in which most playmakers were moved deep due to holding midfield being flooded with bodies. Different players tbh, I think Platini *spits* or Baggio (when he played deeper) is the comparison you're looking for.
He reminds me of Kaka in his pomp, his ability to glide with the ball and score goals is a thing of beauty
Well he dominated the game along with Silva vs United soDe Bruyne's sudden superform got me puzzled. After seeing him struggle with Belgium as well I was really convinced that he just wasn't suited for that playmaker role, he looked too nervous in posessions, sloppy passing, strange decisions etc. Even v Cyprus (last international game of the break) he was virtually nowhere. But now all of the sudden, without Silva, which means De Bruyne is even more the playmaker now, he does this v United & Bournemouth ... Magnificent stuff, let's hope a Silva return will not unsettle him again.
Oh yeah, that's true, Silva still played in that one!! Says enough that I didn't even remember ...Well he dominated the game along with Silva vs United so
You do realize this is an article from 2010 right?Highest accolade ...the new Cruyff ... shame they spelled Cruyff wrong