Kevin De Bruyne | Appreciation thread

[Edghill OG]

A question, so many people saying that Kev’s legs have gone - out of interest what are his running stats over say the last 2 months in comparison to the rest of the team? Has anyone got them? To my eyes he seems to have been running as much as anyone else in the team but I don’t know what the stats say?

Yes, I don't buy this at all either. It's like one person says it and everybody else takes it as gospel. As I've put previously Klopp came out last year and said the league was 'shaking' at the thought of him coming back from injury. So his legs have gone overnight? Nah, it's a gradual decline. He's obviously not as fit as he was in his 20's... that's a given. Still capable of things on a football pitch that nobody else is. There was 4 or 5 passes last night that nobody else could have done that lead to opportunities and he's still the most creative player in the league in proportion to minutes played.

The others should be doing more of the pressing. We used to do it as a unit, now he's the only one left and no wonder he's often gassed an hour in. His energy levels should have been concentrated on when he has the ball at his feet. Stop him doing as much of the donkey work and increasing his chances of picking up another injury. Another club do this and they reap the benefits instead. Shame.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

A superb send off for one of our best ever players. I’m still torn between him and El Mago but am so grateful for both it doesn’t matter who was the best.

What a gent.

What a player.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Fucking horrible isn't it?!! Like a grieving process. Basically you grow old with them. Quarter of my life I've spent watching him and seeing more of him than a lot of my own family.

The way his voice keeps croaking during his interviews keeps getting to me. What an absolute gentleman. Never any issues over the past 10 years and what an example he's set for everybody else at the club.

Unbelievable talent, but still built on a foundation of hard work and a hatred of losing. He still puts the others to shame with his pressing of the opponents and think that's why he's often blowing 60-70 minutes in. Pity the others didn't help him out and do more of this (something any **** can do) and let him focus on his USP of being the influential match winner that he's so often been over the years.

Like a eulogy at a funeral, soon as he couldn’t speak I think we all went, so glad we’ve got one more with the hard part out of the way. Just a very Humble guy that transcends football across every divide & boundary in the game, he’s been clapped out of every stadium he’s played in, that doesn’t happen for many. Scouse STH at work has always said he was the best player he’s seen live, and would swap Salah in a heartbeat

 

[MCFC1993]

He did last night

To be fair, there was one moment last night where he created space for a cross.

In the last 2 months though he has struggled to do it, he can't get away from a man anymore.

There was a moment 2nd half where someone was running through the middle and with a yard of pace he would have been in on the right but the defender easily covered it.

I love the fella but 34 in June, go to the Serie A and rip it up for 3 years. I would choose Como if I had his money and accolades already.

 

[Blu1]

What a guy. You can tell he does not want to leave. Great send off for a great city player

 

[Blumers Bloomers]

Absolutely class from the club and fans alike. Well done to all.

Found it interesting that a few players signed to have the opportunity to play with KDB …..sadly I don’t think we have any players other than a fully firing, fit Haaland that have that kind of pull in the transfer market now.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Absolutely class from the club and fans alike. Well done to all.

Found it interesting that a few players signed to have the opportunity to play with KDB …..sadly I don’t think we have any players other than a fully firing, fit Haaland that have that kind of pull in the transfer market now.

Rodri says hi

 

[Millennium]

Thank you, King De Bruyne. It would have been a legendary farewell if you had scored from that chance and if Haaland had scored from your brilliant pass. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy the rest of your life with your family. We look forward to seeing you again at the Etihad Stadium many times in the future.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Was there a tribute from Walker? I don’t remember seeing/hearing one.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Just watched some of the post game coverage from Sky Sports, they did a surprisingly good job

 

[its a Barm]

I've luckily been to a lot of great days/nights at City last night was right up there, paying a fitting tribute to a footballing legend that is KDB, and to see the stadium all but full at full time tells you what all city fans feel, its going to be very strange not having him around.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Just seen the post match comments from Pep. I think he was tongue in cheek about leaving if he doesn’t have a smaller squad but he clearly meant it about wanting a smaller squad. Is this the main reason Kev wasn’t offered a one year extension? Suggests a few more outgoings, and relatively few (hopefully top notch) incomings?

 

[Whether or not]

I was genuinely relieved at how full the stadium remained. What with the cup final performance, the usual midweek travel chaos, and the concert, I had thought there might be a mass exodus, and a very flat tribute. But not a bit of it, well done to everyone who stayed and made it a great and fitting send off. It was a much needed pick up after the weekend.

 

[supercity88]

1. League Cup 15/16
2. League Cup 17/18
3. Premier League 17/18
4. League Cup 18/19
5. Premier League 18/19
6. FA Cup 18/19
7. League Cup 19/20
8. League Cup 20/21
9. Premier League 20/21
10. Premier League 21/22
11. Premier League 22/23
12. FA Cup 22/23
13. Champions League 22/23
14. Super Cup 23
15. Club World Cup 23
16. Premier League 23/24
17. De Bruyne

 

[Edghill OG]

Like a eulogy at a funeral, soon as he couldn’t speak I think we all went, so glad we’ve got one more with the hard part out of the way. Just a very Humble guy that transcends football across every divide & boundary in the game, he’s been clapped out of every stadium he’s played in, that doesn’t happen for many. Scouse STH at work has always said he was the best player he’s seen live, and would swap Salah in a heartbeat

Completely different players so I don't really like comparing them. Both magnificent in their own right. What I will say is Kevin would walk into any top side in the world in his prime, but Salad there'd be question marks.

I always recall that interview KDB did with Jamie Redknapp a number of years ago where he said he preferred the feeling an assist gave him over scoring himself. Clearly he's more than capable of smashing them in the top corner himself as we've seen numerous times, but who wouldn't want to play alongside an individual that has that quality and selflessness at the same time? You only had to look at the friction between Mane and Salad due to the latter's selfishness. That's not necessarily a bad trait as a goalscorer, but any other side would have to accomodate Salah whereas KDB would just slide right into the 11 as though he'd been there years.

Interestingly Salad just came out and said there's a space for him at Anfield. That's on the back of them winning the title too, so I don't think he's necessarily thinking about it improving the team and more that he's fully aware playing alongside KDB his goal tally probably goes up 10 goals a season.

 

[Bald fraud]

I thought our support at Wembley was poor, but my god 3 days later we really made up for it. The support all night for KDB was marvellous, and the fact that just about the whole ground stayed, especially at a night game, was exceptional. Well done everyone.

Loved how many stayed to show their love for Kev the media and opposition fans were desperate for half the ground to fuck off so they could have a pop. But the send was was fantastic! Proud to be a blue today!

 

[burning blue soul]

A superb send off for one of our best ever players. I’m still torn between him and El Mago but am so grateful for both it doesn’t matter who was the best.

What a gent.

What a player.

Let's comfort ourselves that we were fortunate to have both.

 

[Scottish Cityzen]

A really classy send off for a wonderful player. City do these things really well, and the fans more than did their part too.

Very emotional night all round, would bring a tear to a glass eye.

We might never see the likes of a KDB again. Although I hear one of his sons is a bit of a player…

 

[Kadour75]

I thought , after Enzo Scifo, I would never see a player in the world mastering old school midfielder role until Kev proved me wrong. One of a kind !

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Almost a symbolic passing of the torch when Rodri came on (that reception…oooof!) This is his team now, and Pep & the players simply have to make him Captain, not a ‘captain’ make him the figurehead, let him drive this team on, I’m done with the whole passing the baton round every season or two, as much as I liked Walker he shouldn’t of been anywhere near it. I want that talismanic figure, the one teams fear, the guy every City fan believes in