I'm not surprised he was lacking in sharpness yesterday. De bruyne, Sterling and Fernandinho have had to overcompensate on the defensive end because of Yaya and Bony's complete lack of any semblance of defensive pressure over the last few weeks.
This is true & I mentioned it midweek.
The balance of the team has been such that it's asking too much of those players. But as our best player, DeBruyne should have been given preference vs Utd, instead of the team being built to suit Yaya. Then he would have found more space in dangerous areas. Pellegrini's only mistake imo.
rojo wasnt the reason for KDB having a relatively quiet one, it was the players around him that didnt allow him more time in the game, only yaya up front was anywhere near working with him. Sagna, sterling, bony didnt support him or read the game well... Had silva or aguero been on the pitch it would have been a totally different game him
Wasn't great. Yet he was the architect of our most likely opportunity of stealing the game.What did you think to De Bruyne's performance today mate? Serious question.
Wasn't great. Yet he was the architect of our most likely opportunity of stealing the game.
Again, I never mentioned him as possibly our best ever player. You just read that into what I said. Second, this he was considerably worse in this game: The normal consequence of playing mid week, and our players being poor in possession overall ( including Kev). But he was far superior against Sevilla before the goal, and had he not been, that goal ( which wasn't your routine tap in) makes his performance even better.You see, the way he played on Sunday is pretty indicative of how I think he's played for us in the other games, particularly Sevilla. The difference is he scored a goal against Sevilla. The winning goal. In the last minute. That kind of clouds people's judgement on what a player has done for the rest of the game.
I'm not a De Bruyne boo boy, I think he's a great player with incredible potential. I'm delighted we've got him. He's going to come up with some huge moments at decisive times for us. But his general play has a lot of room for improvement.
And to even mention him as possibly our best ever player at this stage is absolute lunacy.
Again, I never mentioned him as possibly our best ever player. You just read that into what I said. Second, this he was considerably worse in this game: The normal consequence of playing mid week, and our players being poor in possession overall ( including Kev). But he was far superior against Sevilla before the goal, and had he not been, that goal ( which wasn't your routine tap in) makes his performance even better.
And just for the record, I claimed he had had the 'best start' to his City career.
No way man. He was at his absolute worse against United. Almost no completed passes and forced thing way too much. Look at his chances created in previous matches. Certainly not a typical preformance.Other than the second half against Newcastle where he was absolutely phenomenal, his performance at Old Trafford was fairly typical of his all round performances so far.
Assists and goals can cloud people's judgement of an all round performance. The fact he got no assists or goals on Sunday meant people could analyse his performance with a clearer view.
I actually think Sunday will be good for him, it will tempur people's expectations to be more realistic. "Reminds me of Colin Bell" "Future Balon D'Or winner" "Better than Silva" "Best ever start to a City career" "Going to be the best City player in history". Just some of the hyperbole on these pages over the last couple of weeks.
A more realistic appraisal is a player with huge potential, a match winner with plenty of room for improvement in his all round game. That's been my view all along, and Sunday only confirmed it further.
Other than the second half against Newcastle where he was absolutely phenomenal, his performance at Old Trafford was fairly typical of his all round performances so far.
Assists and goals can cloud people's judgement of an all round performance. The fact he got no assists or goals on Sunday meant people could analyse his performance with a clearer view.
I actually think Sunday will be good for him, it will tempur people's expectations to be more realistic. "Reminds me of Colin Bell" "Future Balon D'Or winner" "Better than Silva" "Best ever start to a City career" "Going to be the best City player in history". Just some of the hyperbole on these pages over the last couple of weeks.
A more realistic appraisal is a player with huge potential, a match winner with plenty of room for improvement in his all round game. That's been my view all along, and Sunday only confirmed it further.