Kevin De Bruyne

Nou_Camp99

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DeBruyne? How I wish we had him. Head and shoulders above any player we’ve had in the last 10 years.
Best player in the league for me when he's fit like right now. Chelsea must be gutted. They had both him and Salah on their books not so long ago and gave them away.
 

Dancfc

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I was getting abuse a few pages back when I said there's a realistic chance he could end up being better than Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes. KDB is an exceptional player and with the old City generals gone or on their way out, he is going to be the leader of the new team.

If his titles and performances continue for the next 4 seasons we could be looking at the PL's best ever CM/AM.
Could? For me he already is in every way but longevity (and at this present time nostalgia).
 

kouroux

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Yup he's definitely world-class, usually the best player on his team so his managers try and get the best of him. And when someone like Guardiola tailors his system for you, you're gonna be immense.
I don't see how Guardiola has tailored his system for KDB. They still play great football without him. Guardiola's system is very good and KDB is brilliant individually
 

Dancfc

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Best player in the league for me when he's fit like right now. Chelsea must be gutted. They had both him and Salah on their books not so long ago and gave them away.
The most important thing is we've learned and have now formed a pathway for our top youngsters.
 

He'sRaldo

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I don't see how Guardiola has tailored his system for KDB. They still play great football without him. Guardiola's system is very good and KDB is brilliant individually
The way they play with and without him seems different to me. With the same Guardiola principles of course.
 
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Deery

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Just watching his highlights on MOTD he really is a very special player, joy to watch.
 

Green_Red

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What they showed of him on motd he was quality today. Wonder what would happen if we tried to poach him for big money.
 

Dancfc

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What they showed of him on motd he was quality today. Wonder what would happen if we tried to poach him for big money.
I think it's safe to say you would be laughed out of the room.
 

Hammondo

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I don't see how Guardiola has tailored his system for KDB. They still play great football without him. Guardiola's system is very good and KDB is brilliant individually
But hes their main player, the midfield is built around him.
 

Martialfc

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What a player. Funny how a footballer with a brain stands outs in the modern game. He hasn’t got blistering pace he’s not the strongest he’s not the best in the air but his knowledge of the game is second to none. He sees passes no one sees. Head and shoulders above any midfielder in the current game. Let’s hope he carries city to the title because I can’t for my own sanity have Liverpool winning it.
 

Karel Podolsky

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I was getting abuse a few pages back when I said there's a realistic chance he could end up being better than Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes. KDB is an exceptional player and with the old City generals gone or on their way out, he is going to be the leader of the new team.

If his titles and performances continue for the next 4 seasons we could be looking at the PL's best ever CM/AM.
I think I have said he IS better than Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes somewhere, or maybe I just keep it for myself because I am too afraid? I don't really remember.

I know people will argue performance in big games like in CLs or WC, or how many big trophies he won.
 

NieThePiet

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It does but it's not like De Bruyne hasn't shown tremendous form before. He was massive for Wolfsburg in 2014/15.
He saved us/Werder by oneself in 12/13 from relegation. 10 goals and 9 assists in an awful system and with a bad coach, with 21(?) in the Bundesliga.

After this season i was pretty sure, he will be one of the best in the worlds one day. Sadly we haven't had enough money to buy him from Chelsea, Wolfsburg had the chance one year later..
 

Seaman

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I think I have said he IS better than Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes somewhere, or maybe I just keep it for myself because I am too afraid? I don't really remember.

I know people will argue performance in big games like in CLs or WC, or how many big trophies he won.
He is for sure better footballer than both imo.People will use their stats against hiim. But I dont know how one can have watched all 3 and not see he is better
 

BridgeBanter

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As a Chelsea fan, watching DeBruyne when he is on form is so bitter sweet. From the moment he left Genk you knew he was amazing. By no means was he ever a speedster but he was soo technically sound and gifted. Rocket of a shot either foot and he always plays the most penetrative pass. He’s exceptional. If he keeps this level for the next 4-5 seasons then he probably goes down as the best midfield player in the PL.
 

amolbhatia50k

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As a Chelsea fan, watching DeBruyne when he is on form is so bitter sweet. From the moment he left Genk you knew he was amazing. By no means was he ever a speedster but he was soo technically sound and gifted. Rocket of a shot either foot and he always plays the most penetrative pass. He’s exceptional. If he keeps this level for the next 4-5 seasons then he probably goes down as the best midfield player in the PL.
One has to differentiate though. He's clearly an attacking midfielder and he's better than Lampard and Gerrard for me. However he's not a central midfielder and can't be compared to Keane, Vieira and Scholes. For example, he doesn't control, organise and win you midfield battles the way Keane and co. It just doesnt happen. He's a chance creator. His rivals would be Gerrard/Silva /Lampard.
 

RedRonaldo

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I truly think he is currently by far the best midfielder in the world.
 

kouroux

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But hes their main player, the midfield is built around him.
Not at all. The midfield is built with Pep's philosophy. KDB shines more than the others because he is just better
The way they play with and without him seems different to me. With the same Guardiola principles of course.
Of course it is different, no one else in that team can replicate his football
 

SportingCP96

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Starting to think he has a better whip/cross than prime Beckham. Drops it on the strikers toes every time.
A little different with there Delivery but both beautiful. The way KDB skids the ball across the pitch into the back post with no bounce is brilliant. Beckham on the other Hand puts mote curve and swerve into his crosses. I personally stilll prefer Beckham as of now BUT KDB is not far behind at all.
 

SportingCP96

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I truly think he is currently by far the best midfielder in the world.
Not wrong at all he is more of a play making midfielder so I don't think its fair to compare him to the Modric of the world but I would still take KDB over any midfielder right now.
 

BridgeBanter

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One has to differentiate though. He's clearly an attacking midfielder and he's better than Lampard and Gerrard for me. However he's not a central midfielder and can't be compared to Keane, Vieira and Scholes. For example, he doesn't control, organise and win you midfield battles the way Keane and co. It just doesnt happen. He's a chance creator. His rivals would be Gerrard/Silva /Lampard.
That’s a fair point admittedly.
 

Brwned

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Not at all. The midfield is built with Pep's philosophy. KDB shines more than the others because he is just better

Of course it is different, no one else in that team can replicate his football
I totally agree that the team isn't built around him but I do think Guardiola makes some adjustments to the setup to allow him to flourish. He occupies that really specific inside right position to get the most out of his crosses, allow him to find spaces in between the lines, break ahead on counter-attacks etc. I think he also encourages a more direct style than Guardiola typically wanted from his midfielders. But the more interesting thing is how they were able to put Bernardo Silva in there instead and still be totally dominant, playing in largely the same way. Fernandinho was very good last season but Rodri looks excellent at initiating the attacks so it is a scary proposition.

People say Guardiola was lucky with Xavi and Iniesta or de Bruyne and Silva but he really provides the platform for them to dominate - there's a reason he's never had a poor midfield, beyond just the resources. Slotting in players like Busquets or Rodri might not have been unusual decisions (unlike putting someone like Lahm in there) but he knew how to make it work seamlessly. Most other elite teams have had plenty of midfield struggles over the same period.
 

kouroux

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I totally agree that the team isn't built around him but I do think Guardiola makes some adjustments to the setup to allow him to flourish. He occupies that really specific inside right position to get the most out of his crosses, allow him to find spaces in between the lines, break ahead on counter-attacks etc. I think he also encourages a more direct style than Guardiola typically wanted from his midfielders. But the more interesting thing is how they were able to put Bernardo Silva in there instead and still be totally dominant, playing in largely the same way. Fernandinho was very good last season but Rodri looks excellent at initiating the attacks so it is a scary proposition.

People say Guardiola was lucky with Xavi and Iniesta or de Bruyne and Silva but he really provides the platform for them to dominate - there's a reason he's never had a poor midfield, beyond just the resources. Slotting in players like Busquets or Rodri might not have been unusual decisions (unlike putting someone like Lahm in there) but he knew how to make it work seamlessly. Most other elite teams have had plenty of midfield struggles over the same period.
I will agree to that too. Adjustement is the perfect word. His position gets the best out of him
 

Righteous Steps

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One has to differentiate though. He's clearly an attacking midfielder and he's better than Lampard and Gerrard for me. However he's not a central midfielder and can't be compared to Keane, Vieira and Scholes. For example, he doesn't control, organise and win you midfield battles the way Keane and co. It just doesnt happen. He's a chance creator. His rivals would be Gerrard/Silva /Lampard.
Gerrard and Lampard were more than chance creators though, they could control games also. These players had a myriad of attributes, Gerrard for example was only an attacking midfielder for like a 1/8 of his career, he won his biggest accolades playing as a DM then CM.
 

charlenefan

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Could? For me he already is in every way but longevity (and at this present time nostalgia).
Longevity is a pretty huge factor though, De Bruyne thus far hasn't managed to put 2 back to back stellar seasons together as he always seems to have injuries that pretty much right off half a season
 

Hammondo

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Not at all. The midfield is built with Pep's philosophy. KDB shines more than the others because he is just better

Of course it is different, no one else in that team can replicate his football
Being built around kdb and built with peps philosophy are not mutually exclusive. He's their main midfielder, everything operates through him like xavi at Barcelona.
 

_00_deathscar

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Gerrard and Lampard were more than chance creators though, they could control games also. These players had a myriad of attributes, Gerrard for example was only an attacking midfielder for like a 1/8 of his career, he won his biggest accolades playing as a DM then CM.
What?
 

luke511

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If he was playing for us Real Madrid and Barcelona would've tapped him up a long time ago, how do City stop this from happening with their best players?
 

BlueMoonOutcast

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If he was playing for us Real Madrid and Barcelona would've tapped him up a long time ago, how do City stop this from happening with their best players?
Well Mansour gave Real Madrid £350m to redevelop the Bernabeu in 2014 so I doubt they want friction. As for Barcelona, maybe something to do with us acquiring many of their backroom staff over the recent years? Of course from a player perspective, we pay well, have great facilities and win a nice share of silverware.
 

DoneDaDa

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Best midfielder in the world some of his passes today was unreal.

If he was in Madrid or Bayern midfield they'd be back to being elite.