Kevin De Bruyne - 2017/18 performances

[domalino]

So why did he spend a significant period of last night screening his centrebacks? The number 8 role for City is essentially a second number 10 who spends most of their time in the forward channels. When we first started playing it KDB and Silva used to get in each other's way a lot but they have both now adapted to it.
KDB himself has said publically he plays too deep for Belgium and this has been a theme in the Belgian media. He got forward last night only because of the poor quality of the opposition. Martinez has set up the Belgian team like Everton with slow movement and overcautious passing.

Only Hazard, Lukaku and Mertens were ahead of him on the average position map. He picked the ball up of their CB's (something he does all the time for us as well) because Panama were defending well and he wanted to get on the ball earlier in the buildup.

He was involved in 2 goals, and gave Belgium great speed transitioning from defence to attack when Panama eventually came out of their shell to try and score.

KDB himself has said publically he plays too deep for Belgium

Want to provide a source for that? I'm pretty sure it never happened. He's criticised Martinez's tactics for losing a game vs. Mexico because he left midfield short of numbers, but never his own position.

 

[hammersmithlad]

Well that was excruciating to watch on the BBC today a young De Bruyne stating on video he would some day like to play for the Dippers & Michael Owen was his favourite player at the time.

I know I know they all say that back in the days just didn't like seeing it.

 

[Matt the Giant]

Christ he looks disinterested for Belgium. Is he sick or something?

In edit: Pretty decent assist though. :)

 

[WallyA]

Christ he looks disinterested for Belgium. Is he sick or something?

In edit: Pretty decent assist though. :)

Your not referring to this game against Tunisia are you?

He's been making magical passes constantly through out this game. Bats alone should have given Kevin 2 assists if he could finish better.

Belgium are so lucky to have someone who can comfortably dictate play from deep or play higher up and be a more direct goal threat.

 

[Matt the Giant]

Your not referring to this game against Tunisia are you?

He's been making magical passes constantly through out this game. Bats alone should have given Kevin 2 assists if he could finish better.

Belgium are so lucky to have someone who can comfortably dictate play from deep or play higher up and be a more direct goal threat.

I was, actually, at least the first 45-60 minutes. Then I think he and Witsl changed position (or something) which had Kevin play in a position much more similar to what I'm used to.

 

[Neville Kneville]

He looks better than all the Belgian attackers, when he plays a bit further forward.

But they play him deep, where he defends like the invisible man. Bizarre stuff. Maybe the plan is to do that v lesser teams who might park the bus.

 

[John Oliver]

My impression was that Kevin’s form picked up after Hazard came off.

 

[2sheikhs]

It’s a puzzle really why Martinez plays Kevin so deep. He has the personnel at his disposal to play a similar style of play to us.
If that means dropping either lumpkaku or martins, so be it. It’s only the same as Pep choosing between Aguero or Jesus.

 

[FlemishDuck]

It’s a puzzle really why Martinez plays Kevin so deep. He has the personnel at his disposal to play a similar style of play to us.
If that means dropping either lumpkaku or martins, so be it. It’s only the same as Pep choosing between Aguero or Jesus.

He wont drop Lukaku. But its more about Hazard, to some extend Mertens and an excess of players who would take on he playmaker role. Hazard likes to be at the spearhead of the offense as a sort of playmaker that rely's a lot on individual dribbling runs with the ball at the feet to bring the ball to the striker. This works counter to KDB's style when KDB is up front as KDB is far more direct and has few patience to wait for Hazard. Mertens has some simmilarity to Hazard and would rather also like to make play at the front as the kind of false 9 he plays at Napoli. There seemed to be too much confusion to role as playmaker when all 3 of them were close to eachtoher and it lead to the criticism that Belgium couldnt play toghether as a team.

Martinez his sollution works in that sense that we are left with an attack that works really well and acts as a unit. To leave room for the innitiative of Hazard and Mertens KDB is pulled back deeper where he can be very usefull in many ways and which he is in this strategy, though admittingly KDB comes fewer near the box to attempt a strike himself.
It pays of, a player like Hazard is really good and effective when given his free role providing he has the type of players we have around him, but this limits KDB's freedom. As long as Hazard is making it worthwhile though i doubt that Belgians will complain. Same goes for Mertens and in truth with Mertens and Hazard up top we dont need another playmaker there really it should be more than enough offensive dakka. (really people arnt scared yet of Belgiums attacking prowess?)

But i get the pain as a KDB fan seeing him take a servient role to Hazard. But KDB is really a great suporting deep playmaker too withought nessecarily being so conspicious in a match. And Hazard is kinda worth the freedom he is given now. In the end KDB should try to benifit from Hazards runs aswell as he sure manages to tear out gaps in a defense.

 

[ozfunghi]

I honestly don't get some of the responses here. He's now playing as the ultimate puppetmaster, a bit more behind the scenes, but he's pulling the strings from deeper. In his current role for Belgium he'll be making less direct assists but more pre-assists. He'll be scoring less, but he'll be directing general play. He's involved with team tactics, as Martinez has daily talks with only Kevin regarding tactics and strategy. He's never said he is unhappy with his current role in the team and it is clear for the others that he is the director on the pitch.
Because Carrasco and Meunier are playing as wingbacks, and are very offensive, he has them as well as Mertens, Hazard and Lukaku to pick out. Mertens does not play like Hazard at all, he's much more direct. Both in his runs, in his link-up play and his attempts. Mertens is also more cunning and makes a lot more steals in comparison.
Especially Mertens and Meunier, Hazard to a lesser extent, are also excellent providers for Lukaku. Hazard often plays as the perfect decoy. His way of playing draws two or three defenders, making room for Lukaku, Mertens, Carrasco or De Bruyne. People see Hazard being selfish or wastefull (and in a way, he is), but defenders need to make a choice. Lukaku has scored 4 goals, each of them assisted by a different player (De Bruyne, Hazard, Mertens, Meunier). Hazard's assist, started with quick & clever play by De Bruyne right outside Belgiums box, towards Witsel who played to Hazard. Meunier's assist, had a KDB pre-assist from the right, so that Meunier could come inside. Mertens assist was from a steal he managed himself. Kevin's assist, was thanks to Hazard making space for Kevin by drawing away a couple of defenders with a dribble that seemed to be going nowhere.

If you look at attempts from open play by Belgium, compared to those of England, it all becomes clear: 27 for Belgium, 10 for England.