Kevin De Bruyne 2016/17

[Tugay One Cup]

Think that's more of the fact he's always looking for that killer ball. I'd rather he tried them than played it simple personally as apart from him we are very predictable.

I agree, that's why he stood out so much last season. De Bruyne is the kind of player constantly looking to make things happen but when there's little movement or no opening in front of him it looks like he loses concentration.

Most of the time I see him losing the ball with simple passes in midfield. He definitely can pull these off (any professional could) and I just think/ hope he'll be coached into knowing when to retain possession and when to launch the team into an attack. He will be one of the very best if that happens IMO.

 

[Wonderboy Z]

Agreed. Generally he delivers at least an 8/10 performance as a No. 10, but the level immediately dropped to about 5/10 when he played in the wing.

I don't understand why this is the case though. When he played in the wing, not only was his threat nullified, but he also made a lot more mistakes. There were more sloppy passes and failed Hollywood passes for instance. It was as if he left most of his skill set at home. If he had never played that position before, then it wouldn't be much of an issue. Such mediocre performances can easily be attributed to nerves. But he did play in the wings sometimes for Genk (or is it Werder Bremen?) before, right? And I heard he excelled in that role. (Forgive me if I remembered that wrongly. That was something I saw on this forum last October/November.) So what made his bad habits appear when he played on the wing? Coach instructions? Something to do with him being right-footed? Bad memories? Frustrations?

It is understandable that players felt miserable playing in their unnatural positions, there's nothing wrong with that. But in Kevin's case it really seemed a bit extreme.

Well, as a Belgian I'll reply to this with quote's from Kevin's own interview from yesterday with the main Flemisch news channel.

"My favourite position is obviously central as the no10, but some people suggest that I am not so good on the wing or that I don't like playing there but that's not true at all. It really varies from game to game, I have had games where I wasn't playing well on the no10 and shifted to the wing after which I decided the game."

This sums it up really. Kevin can be really good on the wings, sometimes, in certain games. But I personally think that he should always start as the no10 and see from there. I think lately he gets good scores

And while we're talking about Kevin. There is Something that has been bugging me for the past couple of weeks/months (not sure when this started), and I am not the only one who knows Kevin really well for a very long time that thinks this. These past few weeks/months something "is up" with his game. It is really hard to figure out what it is. Some have suggested the timing has coincided with him becoming a father, but I'm not so convinced of this. Neither is it something to do with playing as the no10 or the winger, the frustration we've had has been the most consistent thing while watching him play. According to Kevin himself in that same interview from yesterday it is simply something related with the expectations that are so high, because he's been so productive these past few years but I can't shake the feeling that it's not just that and that he's somehow mentally not fully there these past few months.

The way I remember it is that ever since his goal in the CL Q-final against PSG his game has 'nosedived', but I'm not certain about this timing. Sure, his undeniable world class talent is still there and lets him still produce passes, crosses and shots that very few players can and playing him at no10 gives him more opportunity to do so, hence the higher ratings etc. I agree with the sentiment that dropping him shouldn't be the issue. But there is SOMEthing that has affected his game these past few weeks/months and I am at a loss what it is but it manifests itself in unbelievably sloppy passes, mindless dribbles and many other moments which are the result of something in his brain, not his feet or physical effort. But it affects the whole team, both at City and for the Beglian NT, so it's a worry. He may have always had some moments like this in games at times and ofc had horrible games in the past as well as does any player, but something feels different. I get a sense that it happens much more frequent lately, instead of less and less, as you'd expect of a world class player getting more and more experienced. I've known him for a long time now and seen him play from his first match as a pro, and I've never been this frustrated watching him as I have been these past few weeks.

I would love for nothing more than this being all a bad dream and watching the Kev I got so used to watching again now that we've got a win under our belt in the Euros. But after the game, which I watched in the stadium in Bordeaux, I'm still not convinced he's back. I left the stadium with the same questions surrounding his game.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Well, as a Belgian I'll reply to this with quote's from Kevin's own interview from yesterday with the main Flemisch news channel.

"My favourite position is obviously central as the no10, but some people suggest that I am not so good on the wing or that I don't like playing there but that's not true at all. It really varies from game to game, I have had games where I wasn't playing well on the no10 and shifted to the wing after which I decided the game."

This sums it up really. Kevin can be really good on the wings, sometimes, in certain games. But I personally think that he should always start as the no10 and see from there. I think lately he gets good scores

And while we're talking about Kevin. There is Something that has been bugging me for the past couple of weeks/months (not sure when this started), and I am not the only one who knows Kevin really well for a very long time that thinks this. These past few weeks/months something "is up" with his game. It is really hard to figure out what it is. Some have suggested the timing has coincided with him becoming a father, but I'm not so convinced of this. Neither is it something to do with playing as the no10 or the winger, the frustration we've had has been the most consistent thing while watching him play. According to Kevin himself in that same interview from yesterday it is simply something related with the expectations that are so high, because he's been so productive these past few years but I can't shake the feeling that it's not just that and that he's somehow mentally not fully there these past few months.

The way I remember it is that ever since his goal in the CL Q-final against PSG his game has 'nosedived', but I'm not certain about this timing. Sure, his undeniable world class talent is still there and lets him still produce passes, crosses and shots that very few players can and playing him at no10 gives him more opportunity to do so, hence the higher ratings etc. I agree with the sentiment that dropping him shouldn't be the issue. But there is SOMEthing that has affected his game these past few weeks/months and I am at a loss what it is but it manifests itself in unbelievably sloppy passes, mindless dribbles and many other moments which are the result of something in his brain, not his feet or physical effort. But it affects the whole team, both at City and for the Beglian NT, so it's a worry. He may have always had some moments like this in games at times and ofc had horrible games in the past as well as does any player, but something feels different. I get a sense that it happens much more frequent lately, instead of less and less, as you'd expect of a world class player getting more and more experienced. I've known him for a long time now and seen him play from his first match as a pro, and I've never been this frustrated watching him as I have been these past few weeks.

I would love for nothing more than this being all a bad dream and watching the Kev I got so used to watching again now that we've got a win under our belt in the Euros. But after the game, which I watched in the stadium in Bordeaux, I'm still not convinced he's back. I left the stadium with the same questions surrounding his game.

Just do what we do and blame Pellegrini.

On a serious note I wouldn't at all be surprised if he's feeling burnt out and/ or returned too early from injury.

 

[Marvin]

Well, as a Belgian I'll reply to this with quote's from Kevin's own interview from yesterday with the main Flemisch news channel.

"My favourite position is obviously central as the no10, but some people suggest that I am not so good on the wing or that I don't like playing there but that's not true at all. It really varies from game to game, I have had games where I wasn't playing well on the no10 and shifted to the wing after which I decided the game."

This sums it up really. Kevin can be really good on the wings, sometimes, in certain games. But I personally think that he should always start as the no10 and see from there. I think lately he gets good scores

And while we're talking about Kevin. There is Something that has been bugging me for the past couple of weeks/months (not sure when this started), and I am not the only one who knows Kevin really well for a very long time that thinks this. These past few weeks/months something "is up" with his game. It is really hard to figure out what it is. Some have suggested the timing has coincided with him becoming a father, but I'm not so convinced of this. Neither is it something to do with playing as the no10 or the winger, the frustration we've had has been the most consistent thing while watching him play. According to Kevin himself in that same interview from yesterday it is simply something related with the expectations that are so high, because he's been so productive these past few years but I can't shake the feeling that it's not just that and that he's somehow mentally not fully there these past few months.

The way I remember it is that ever since his goal in the CL Q-final against PSG his game has 'nosedived', but I'm not certain about this timing. Sure, his undeniable world class talent is still there and lets him still produce passes, crosses and shots that very few players can and playing him at no10 gives him more opportunity to do so, hence the higher ratings etc. I agree with the sentiment that dropping him shouldn't be the issue. But there is SOMEthing that has affected his game these past few weeks/months and I am at a loss what it is but it manifests itself in unbelievably sloppy passes, mindless dribbles and many other moments which are the result of something in his brain, not his feet or physical effort. But it affects the whole team, both at City and for the Beglian NT, so it's a worry. He may have always had some moments like this in games at times and ofc had horrible games in the past as well as does any player, but something feels different. I get a sense that it happens much more frequent lately, instead of less and less, as you'd expect of a world class player getting more and more experienced. I've known him for a long time now and seen him play from his first match as a pro, and I've never been this frustrated watching him as I have been these past few weeks.

I would love for nothing more than this being all a bad dream and watching the Kev I got so used to watching again now that we've got a win under our belt in the Euros. But after the game, which I watched in the stadium in Bordeaux, I'm still not convinced he's back. I left the stadium with the same questions surrounding his game.

mentality needs to improve. Belgium had an easy game against ROI and KDB got credit but I think he can play a lot better. There maybe issues with tactics, and Hazard monopolising the ball (with little effect) but he needs to improve his attitude to become a World Class player. His contributions are usually decisive but he has games when he is on the periphery of the game for long periods. Perhaps it's impossible at this level to play great every game, but he needs to improve. Guardiola will not tolerate it, and there might be an issue about integrating both Silva and KDB into the same team. They are both no 10s. So far they haven't played well together. People assume Pep can do it, but he might just decide to discard one of the players, or change their role

 

[kaz7]

First year in the prem with no winter break and a bad injury and he gets stick lol

 

[Citizen in Pakistan]

He's a counterattacking player and frequently fucks things up when he's given more than two seconds to decide what to do.

I love the guy but he needs to learn to concentrate and recycle possession when appropriate. If he can do that, then he'll be one of the best in the world.

Thats a rather harsh statement for a player as consistent as de bruyne, where he is different and better than our other mf is he likes to take his chances with passes and instinctly looks for killer ball rather than looking for a safer option as first option. However he should be slightly more careful inside his own half i reckon but i am happy as it is with him, our best signing after aguero easily

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Thats a rather harsh statement for a player as consistent as de bruyne, where he is different and better than our other mf is he likes to take his chances with passes and instinctly looks for killer ball rather than looking for a safer option as first option. However he should be slightly more careful inside his own half i reckon but i am happy as it is with him, our best signing after aguero easily

I completely agree especially with the last part.

Wasn't intended as being harsh, unfortunately I just tend to word things more aggressively in the mornings. Think you did a better job

 

[malg]

First year in the prem with no winter break and a bad injury and he gets stick lol

A lot of our fans have absolutely no patience. For some reason players have to be brilliant straight away, and maintain it for every game. I'm all for a bit of constructive criticism but there are some player threads on here that show we have fans who haven't moved on from York away!

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

Well, as a Belgian I'll reply to this with quote's from Kevin's own interview from yesterday with the main Flemisch news channel.

"My favourite position is obviously central as the no10, but some people suggest that I am not so good on the wing or that I don't like playing there but that's not true at all. It really varies from game to game, I have had games where I wasn't playing well on the no10 and shifted to the wing after which I decided the game."

This sums it up really. Kevin can be really good on the wings, sometimes, in certain games. But I personally think that he should always start as the no10 and see from there. I think lately he gets good scores

And while we're talking about Kevin. There is Something that has been bugging me for the past couple of weeks/months (not sure when this started), and I am not the only one who knows Kevin really well for a very long time that thinks this. These past few weeks/months something "is up" with his game. It is really hard to figure out what it is. Some have suggested the timing has coincided with him becoming a father, but I'm not so convinced of this. Neither is it something to do with playing as the no10 or the winger, the frustration we've had has been the most consistent thing while watching him play. According to Kevin himself in that same interview from yesterday it is simply something related with the expectations that are so high, because he's been so productive these past few years but I can't shake the feeling that it's not just that and that he's somehow mentally not fully there these past few months.

The way I remember it is that ever since his goal in the CL Q-final against PSG his game has 'nosedived', but I'm not certain about this timing. Sure, his undeniable world class talent is still there and lets him still produce passes, crosses and shots that very few players can and playing him at no10 gives him more opportunity to do so, hence the higher ratings etc. I agree with the sentiment that dropping him shouldn't be the issue. But there is SOMEthing that has affected his game these past few weeks/months and I am at a loss what it is but it manifests itself in unbelievably sloppy passes, mindless dribbles and many other moments which are the result of something in his brain, not his feet or physical effort. But it affects the whole team, both at City and for the Beglian NT, so it's a worry. He may have always had some moments like this in games at times and ofc had horrible games in the past as well as does any player, but something feels different. I get a sense that it happens much more frequent lately, instead of less and less, as you'd expect of a world class player getting more and more experienced. I've known him for a long time now and seen him play from his first match as a pro, and I've never been this frustrated watching him as I have been these past few weeks.

I would love for nothing more than this being all a bad dream and watching the Kev I got so used to watching again now that we've got a win under our belt in the Euros. But after the game, which I watched in the stadium in Bordeaux, I'm still not convinced he's back. I left the stadium with the same questions surrounding his game.

Thanks for the comments, though like you, I still don't know what went wrong:) In life I'm somewhat a perfectionist so it can be really frustrating to see a player with all the qualities to succeed failing to complete the most simple passes. I've only watched him since he came to City so I sort of assume the carelessness is a result of youthful recklessness, but it seems not the case now. Maybe there's something bothering him, perhaps due to a myriad of reasons, e.g. fatherhood, a change of scene and expectations, etc. Physically I think he's okay, but then I don't work in the club and our track record isn't exactly great in that regard. I first noticed his uncharacteristic sloppiness back in October, when we played against the Rags. So after reading your comments, I think it may be because he's going through a transition from one major lifestage to another? This may have taken a toll on him mentally, but once he climbs over that hill, the bad dream will end and the real him should return:)

 

[kaz7]