Kevin De Bruyne

Deery

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Yeah, it's madness really. In my opinion they should scrap that Euro tournament full stop and use the time (and the International breaks) to adjust the season better. Probably scrap the 2nd rate domestic cups too.
Won’t be a bad idea at all but I think players would still be falling apart after a couple of months regardless of internationals or cups
 

redshaw

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Upcoming schedule is kind of nuts I agree with Kevin.

Two french teams in the semi finals and they stopped their league but I feel City should've been sharp and had the chance to build up to this competition with no PL title challenge to worry about.
 

Superunknown

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He did it vs Real too in the first half of the 2nd leg. He constantly over thinks things and his reliance on Gundo and Rodri in big games is horrible as are our results vs big teams when they play together. A huge part of this season which was a shambles (I feel kinda arrogant calling a season where we won the league cup, came 2nd in the league and got to the last 8 a shambles given some of my football supporting experiences with City a shambles but) is down to Pep.

He has had a poor season this season, imho. Much worse than his first season here. Square pegs and round holes, slow lifeless midfield with no energy except KDB, a system that makes good CB's look like novices and John Stones look like he's never seen a football. He has a fair bit to answer for.
Definitely agree with you there on the over-thinking. It was just so needless, tonight especially. Obviously, I'm delighted, but I would be tearing my own hair out if I was a City fan. It never once looked like coming off in that first half. He did change things up a bit in the second half, and City did look a lot better, but it's a bit like he went into this with the same mentality as if it was still a 2-legged tie. Contain them for this leg and then kill them in the second, which obviously wasn't the cause.

I don't think it comes across as arrogant, it's relative. From watching City in the few games that I've seen, they are just hugely inconsistent. Missing a proper centre forward when Aguero isn't there, too. We'll see what happens next. I don't think Pep will walk because I think that he'll still think there's work to be done and a challenge at the club, so he'll stay. But, I fully expect them to invest in the window now, maybe more heavily than they will have done.
 

Adam-Utd

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Wouldn't suit the wing with the kind of wingers the manager prefers, and I think you're massively underrating Muller.
What can Müller do that KDB can’t? In the air is the only thing I’d say he’s better at.

Müller is good but he was close to being sold the last few years as he dipped badly, but found his form under flick.

If you had the choice who would you choose?
 

Nou_Camp99

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Too good to be playing for a tinpot club who have never won the European Cup. Really should be at one of the true big clubs in Europe.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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What can Müller do that KDB can’t? In the air is the only thing I’d say he’s better at.

Müller is good but he was close to being sold the last few years as he dipped badly, but found his form under flick.

If you had the choice who would you choose?
What can De Bruyne do that Muller can't?

Muller literally does everything well. All-rounder.
 

Adam-Utd

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What can De Bruyne do that Muller can't?

Muller literally does everything well. All-rounder.
That doesn’t answer my question.

KDB is probably the best attacking midfielder on the planet right now I think they’d swap him in a heart beat personally.
 

hasanejaz88

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Muller and De Bruyne are hardly players to compare.

Overall both are pretty much equal in that they are amongst the best of their generation.

That doesn’t answer my question.

KDB is probably the best attacking midfielder on the planet right now I think they’d swap him in a heart beat personally.
Right now? I wouldn't for Bayern. Muller's form this season has been amazing from an overall view. Goal creating, scoring and also runs off the ball have been key to Bayern's attacking system. De Bruyne would completely change the fluidity in that line-up.

Ofcourse for the longer term De Bruyne would be better though.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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Muller and De Bruyne are hardly players to compare.

Overall both are pretty much equal in that they are amongst the best of their generation.
But certain people seem to think it's an easy decision. Muller is one of the most all-rounded players there is, as is De Bruyne, but to say he could just replace him like that is massively downplaying Muller's ability.
 

VorZakone

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IMO Muller is even more inventive than De Bruyne. De Bruyne has that standard low driven cross + through ball between the FB/CB.

Muller on the other hand is more comfortable in difficult or tight situations. Crafty is the word I'm looking for.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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That doesn’t answer my question.

KDB is probably the best attacking midfielder on the planet right now I think they’d swap him in a heart beat personally.
I posed that question to you because I wanted you to tell me what De Bruyne has that Muller doesn't.
 

hasanejaz88

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But certain people seem to think it's an easy decision. Muller is one of the most all-rounded players there is, as is De Bruyne, but to say he could just replace him like that is massively downplaying Muller's ability.
Yea, Muller's ability to just flow across all 4 attacking positions (RW, LW, SS, CF) adds so much fluidity to his teams attacks, it takes it up another level.

He a few games into Flick's term that Flick's system is allowing him to drift and interchange positions a lot more, and that's how he is able to play well. If you stick him to a position and except him to beat a man one-on-one it will never work, his strength is beating his man with off the ball runs.
 

HerrLeinad

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That doesn’t answer my question.

KDB is probably the best attacking midfielder on the planet right now I think they’d swap him in a heart beat personally.
Sometimes it's not just about the individual but the chemistry with the team mates and leadership qualities. Lewandowski for example is always MUCH better if Müller plays behind him because Müller's runs draw defenders away, that's something De Bruyne wouldn't do. Müller is also a leader in the team and especially without crowds you can hear him constantly giving commands on the pitch, he is basically a second coach for Bayern at this point.
There is also a reason why other AMs like Götze, James and Coutinho all "failed" at Bayern, in the end it is always Müller who wins out.
That doesn't mean De Bruyne isn't an exceptional player but you would be forced to play him behind Lewandowski/Müller and that is just an insanely attacking formation because we already play with a high line, ball playing CBs, have no "pure" DM, CMs who like to attack/move into the box (Kimmich/Goretzka) and also very attacking wingers (Gnabry/Comand and soon Sane) as well as FBs who push forward too, especially Davies.
It is probably one of the main reasons why we didn't go all-in for Havertz because he'd face a similar problem and why we didn't want to pay the fee for De Bruyne BEFORE he moved to City (we were interested in him).
On top of that De Bruyne would be too expensive now to force a move for a 29 year old player. We'd not get enough years out of him for the price City would be asking.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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Yea, Muller's ability to just flow across all 4 attacking positions (RW, LW, SS, CF) adds so much fluidity to his teams attacks, it takes it up another level.

He a few games into Flick's term that Flick's system is allowing him to drift and interchange positions a lot more, and that's how he is able to play well. If you stick him to a position and except him to beat a man one-on-one it will never work, his strength is beating his man with off the ball runs.
I bet he's the type of player where viewers won't always appreciate what he does, but his teammates absolutely love playing with him.
 

Bwuk

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KDB would walk into that Bayern side and instantly be their best midfielder. Let’s not kid ourselves.
 

Santoryo

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KDB is better than Muller, why is this even being debated. Bayern are having a terrific season and Muller was great in that thumping of Barca but it still doesn't change the fact that DeBruyne is simply a better player than Muller.

I hate when the Caf does this nonsense where people get caught in the moment and start twisting everything to fit the most recent narrative. Some people are still on that Bayern thumping high which leads to claims about Muller being equal let alone better than KDB.

KDB would walk into that Bayern side and instantly be their best midfielder. Let’s not kid ourselves.
Pretty much this.
 

hasanejaz88

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KDB would walk into that Bayern side and instantly be their best midfielder. Let’s not kid ourselves.
Would be better to ask a Bayern fan. Though I do watch plenty of Bayern I wouldn't take out any midfielder they currently have (Goretzka, Kimmich, Thiago, Muller) for De Bruyne.

They fit into the system Bayern currently have so well. De Bruyne is pure quality but to fit him they would have to change their system, that can take some time and there's nothing to suggest they will get better. Adding better players doesn't not equate to a better team, never has.
 

Superunknown

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There is not a team in the world who would turn their noses up at having De Bruyne in their squad. They would make it fit, somehow. He's class.
 

Santoryo

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KDB walks in any team in the world. He's the best midfielder on the planet currently. There are no sane manager out there who would be thinking how x or y player suit z style better.

As good as Bayern are currently, as unimaginable as it might seem to some, KDB makes that team even better.
 

hasanejaz88

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There is not a team in the world who would turn their noses up at having De Bruyne in their squad. They would make it fit, somehow. He's class.
Bayern have scored 150+ goals in 50 matches this season, why would they want to completely change their system to bring in De Bruyne right now?

Only reason would be Muller's age, so they can try to plan something else for the next few seasons with De Bruyne.

KDB walks in any team in the world. He's the best midfielder on the planet currently. There are no sane manager out there who would be thinking how x or y player suit z style better.

As good as Bayern are currently, as unimaginable as it might seem to some, KDB makes that team even better.
That is exactly what sane managers do. That is why Perisic was starting ahead of Coutinho and why Kimmich-Goretzka were playing ahead of Thiago (before Pavard's injury). Coutinho and Thiago are clearly better than Perisic and Goretzka respectively, but the former fit the system Flick has better so they get to play.
 

Pink Moon

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What can De Bruyne do that Muller can't?

Muller literally does everything well. All-rounder.
He's a far better player than Muller, come on :lol:

He's a better passer, more creative, better crosser, better at set pieces, he's just superior in pretty much every way technically as well as being equal if not superior physically too.
 

Acrobat7

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Mates, chill. Me mentioning Bayern was more tongue in cheek than anything. The KdB to Bayern ship has sailed many years ago (the contract was agreed upon but Bayern didn’t pay what Wolfsburg asked for). Even if he was interested: Bayern is not spending 100m+ on a 29yo.

I also agree with both sides here. He probably is the best midfielder atm but Bayern would have to drastically alter their system. Currently he just wouldn’t be a good fit for them.
 

Santoryo

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He's a far better player than Muller, come on :lol:

He's a better passer, more creative, better crosser, better at set pieces, he's just superior in pretty much every way technically as well as being equal if not superior physically too.
Some people are still on that 8-2 Barca thumping high that they're failing to process things rationally. Muller had a great game but KDB is a level above him. It's as simple as that.
 

Pink Moon

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Some people are still on that 8-2 Barca thumping high that they're failing to process things rationally. Muller had a great game but KDB is a level above him. It's as simple as that.
Yeah true although Muller has always been a neutral fans pet for some reason. Probably because he's quirky and funny.
 

VorZakone

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He's a far better player than Muller, come on :lol:

He's a better passer, more creative, better crosser, better at set pieces, he's just superior in pretty much every way technically as well as being equal if not superior physically too.
"Far better"? Muller is a better goalscorer with an even higher footballing IQ than De Bruyne. Muller may not have De Bruyne's passing range but De Bruyne doesn't have Muller's craftyness.

Given the choice, I'm choosing peak Muller vs peak De Bruyne everyday.
 

Superunknown

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Bayern have scored 150+ goals in 50 matches this season, why would they want to completely change their system to bring in De Bruyne right now?

Only reason would be Muller's age, so they can try to plan something else for the next few seasons with De Bruyne.
Even the almighty Bayern Munich (praise be to them) would take De Bruyne if they had the chance. There is always a way, even if they have to rotate their players or play one side for the league and a different side in the cups (Champions League included ) or even have him on the bench or change the fecking rules so that 15 players are allowed on the pitch at one time. There is no way anybody is turning this player down. Even if they had to adapt his game, they would and KDB would probably adapt well and still be the best in that position. Someway, somehow, somewhen, anyone would take him if they had the chance.

It's all a moot point anyway because City would have be to the biggest idiots alive to even let him go anyway.
 

Santoryo

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"Far better"? Muller is a better goalscorer with an even higher footballing IQ than De Bruyne. Muller may not have De Bruyne's passing range but De Bruyne doesn't have Muller's craftyness.

Given the choice, I'm choosing peak Muller vs peak De Bruyne everyday.
This is ridiculous :lol:
 

Pink Moon

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"Far better"? Muller is a better goalscorer with an even higher footballing IQ than De Bruyne. Muller may not have De Bruyne's passing range but De Bruyne doesn't have Muller's craftyness.

Given the choice, I'm choosing peak Muller vs peak De Bruyne everyday.
Muller is a forward and KDB is a midfielder, of course he has a better goal record.

Higher footballing IQ? How do you even quantify something like that? Muller fans always bring stuff like that up though because they know if they use regular metrics he isn't actually elite at any one thing. A jack of all trades.
 

cyberman

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Kevin is becoming a final ball player. I know everybody raves about him but he was a lot more effective a few years ago when he played more centrally. He had more imagination about him.
Now hea drifting wide and putting in cross after cross and his stats are incredible because of it but is like Bruno where you start to question his ability to dictate the game.
 

hasanejaz88

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Even the almighty Bayern Munich (praise be to them) would take De Bruyne if they had the chance. There is always a way, even if they have to rotate their players or play one side for the league and a different side in the cups (Champions League included ) or even have him on the bench or change the fecking rules so that 15 players are allowed on the pitch at one time. There is no way anybody is turning this player down. Even if they had to adapt his game, they would and KDB would probably adapt well and still be the best in that position. Someway, somehow, somewhen, anyone would take him if they had the chance.

It's all a moot point anyway because City would have be to the biggest idiots alive to even let him go anyway.
As someone who supports German clubs in the UCL and obviously hates City, trust me I would love for Bayern to sign De Bruyne :D

Just that in this debate between Muller and De Bruyne (no idea why this started since they play different roles), I don't think someone can easily say that De Bruyne would walk into this Bayern team and improve them because this Bayern attack is much more than the sum of parts, that is essentially due to how fluid those front 4 are, Muller being a major part of that.

Muller is a forward and KDB is a midfielder, of course he has a better goal record.

Higher footballing IQ? How do you even quantify something like that? Muller fans always bring stuff like that up though because they know if they use regular metrics he isn't actually elite at any one thing. A jack of all trades.
He has 199 goals and 193 assists in 533 matches for Bayern. He had the third most assists the last decade with only Messi and Di Maria having more. Wtf are you talking about when you say he isn't elite at anything? He's elite in attacking, pure and simple.
 
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Santoryo

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Ah yes, Muller: part of a treble-winning team, part of a World Cup winning team, absolute big game player.

Who is apparently a level below De Bruyne.
He is a level below KDB, it's not that hard to understand. Listing his accolades doesn't add weight to your argument. Football is a team sport therefore using team awards to compare individuals is a non starter.
 

VorZakone

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Muller is a forward and KDB is a midfielder, of course he has a better goal record.

Higher footballing IQ? How do you even quantify something like that? Muller fans always bring stuff like that up though because they know if they use regular metrics he isn't actually elite at any one thing. A jack of all trades.
How is Muller not elite at anything? Skillsets don't exist in a vacuum.

Great passing range doesn't mean much when you're not given the space and you don't have other skillsets to compensate.

Thomas Muller is comfortable in all situations and is more likely to get the job done than De Bruyne.

Hell, United fans should know. De Bruyne rarely truely shines against United because he's actually not that hard to mark out of the game.