They are still in the CL.
Kevin De Bruyne
- Thread starter Robbie Boy
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Thought the PL best midfielder argument had an impenetrable top 5 or so of Vieira, Keane, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes...but De Bruyne is the one modern day player who could force himself in. His all-round game is sensational, he's like a mixture of Beckham and Scholes offensively, with the engine of Gerrard.
Isn't that the definition of influence? If City are able to win the title without De Bruyne, while failing to even muster up a challenge without Laporte. Doesn't that make Laporte more influential on their results?
Would City be more likely to win without De Bruyne or without Laporte? The obvious answer is De Bruyne.
It's not a judgment of their ability, just simply importance to the team.
He's the best player in the Premier League, in my view.
Reminder that at the time in question, the transfer fee of 75M€ was the highest for a Buli player ever (only surpassed by Dembele in the meantime), and roughly twice as high as our highest transfer fees up to that season. Always have to put those numbers in the context of their time.
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Ballon d'Or 
He has one goal and two assist in CL this season. And he will probably win nothing significant on club level either.
He's having excellent season domestically, and he is the best player in PL, and that's it for now. But he definitely has a chance for next season.
He has one goal and two assist in CL this season. And he will probably win nothing significant on club level either.
He's having excellent season domestically, and he is the best player in PL, and that's it for now. But he definitely has a chance for next season.
Cheeky bid if we get champions league and City are banned 
I mean Illicic of Atlanta is far ahead of KDB in the CL but you barely hear anyone mention him.. KDB is good but he’s quite overrated.Ballon d'Or
He has one goal and two assist in CL this season. And he will probably win nothing significant on club level either.
He's having excellent season domestically, and he is the best player in PL, and that's it for now. But he definitely has a chance for next season.
Which player was this
Tell that to David Beckham in 1999.
I believe he's talking about KdB fee.
I didn't know his fee was that high always thought it was around the 55-65M range maybe saw it in another currency.
Scandalous decision.
Rivaldo had won La Liga & Copa America that year, becoming tournament’s best player and top scorer.
Thanks for spoiling my retort
Yes, transfermarkt has it at 76M€
Ronaldo won in 2013 after a trophyless season
KdB needs 3 more assists in the last 6 games to beat the EPL record. Gutted that they took off the assist for the 4th goal yesterday from him
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Ronaldo winning it that year was an absolute disgrace anyways. Not just the result, which is a subjective matter, but the circusshow Fifa made from it by reopening the deadlines for captain/coach voting which heavily favored Ronaldo. The journalist voting heavily favored Ribery and they kept that one closed.
Bayern fans are really too obedient for not turning this into a massive issue. I remember that year Blatter calling Messi a good boy and Ronaldo arrogant, and Real fans worldwide harrassed Fifa so hard they eventually gifted Ronaldo the Ballon d'Or.
From Portugal. When Debruyne is fit, he creates chances second only behind Messi. This is not just a statement for this season, it's been like this since 16/17. Has the best final ball I've seen with Beckham. Ballon D'or? Maybe not. Messi and Ronaldo( well previously) are the most productive and consistent players in the world and in truth deserve it every year.
I don't think De Bruyne is overrated by any extent, but just to respond to this, Bruno has maintained pretty much the same output since moving to the PL, no?
He is the best player by quite some distance too. He reads the game and executes his decisions with an incredible precision. He is a ball carrier and stability player, it’s ridiculous how he manages to get so many goals and assists. On top of that, the workrate of a Burnley-player compensating for lack of basic skills.
Never really understood this logic, de Bryune good numbers in Germany and people thought the same, but he's replicated that in England, Suarez had 49 goals in all comp. in Ajax and people tried down talking him, but he was one of the most fearsome strikers. If someone is good there good regardless were they play.
I agree, hes just on another level. Honestly city would drop in standard a whole bunch if he left.
Best player in the league sensational footballer.
If the ban is upheld, I can't see him hanging around with no CL for 2 seasons he's far too good every big team in Europe will want him.
If the ban is upheld, I can't see him hanging around with no CL for 2 seasons he's far too good every big team in Europe will want him.
Best midfielder in the world and the league. The only impact that has effected his contribution is injury is always in top form.
For me , he is the best player in the league .. His vision, goals and work rate nobody else can match in the premier league..
You know he’s that good when Us are saying that about a city player but he is simply is that good. Not just the goals and assists he has everything. Definitely the best player in the league and probably the best midfielder in the world.
City are a top side but I feel if he wasn’t there they wouldn’t be that impressive, if city do well or win the CL he has to win Balon D’or. If he doesn’t win the POTY then I’ll never take it serious again
City are a top side but I feel if he wasn’t there they wouldn’t be that impressive, if city do well or win the CL he has to win Balon D’or. If he doesn’t win the POTY then I’ll never take it serious again
I cant remember if it was for the Euros or the world cup but Belgium couldn't play with Lukaku and benteke as strikers for one important game and had to use De Bryune as a false 9 who aimed to set up chances to wider attackers.
I thought Belgium looked fantastic that night in a competitive environment and was disappointed they went back to playing big untenchnical strikers upfront. I thought that was the day the Belgium had found the best way to play to play their golden generation.
Great player.
I thought Belgium looked fantastic that night in a competitive environment and was disappointed they went back to playing big untenchnical strikers upfront. I thought that was the day the Belgium had found the best way to play to play their golden generation.
Great player.
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They won the 2018/19 title basically without him. He was out for the majority of the season?
The only question that I have to people who watch him regularly:
Is he a better passer than Paul Scholes?
Is he a better passer than Paul Scholes?
Quickly solidifying his status as one of the all-time best midfielders not just in this league but all of European football. I think for him to truly arrive at that level though, he needs to win a CL title with City. Every skill and attribute he possesses is a 9/10 as he can do practically everything that could be asked of a AM/CM to a ridiculously high level. A complete midfielder.
Squad depth.
City's performance don't drop significantly without KdB and or Aguero. We only noticed the drop when Laporte was unavailable. That's because the other defendes are shit.
Their squad can comfortably handle 85% of the league without KDB. It’s only the biggest games (vs members of the top 3-4 or latter stages of the CL) where his presence is most crucial. For example, without him vs RM, it’s difficult to judge whether they turn that game around after going 1-0 down if he was absent. I’d say maybe not.
Pogba can force his way into this discussion.
Depends on what you're looking for. As a final ball merchant there's no player in the world I'd rather have than De Bruyne. His ability to find a man in the box from anywhere is second to none. De Bruyne also offers a wider range of skills in terms of passing the ball. He can pass long, pass short, cross and hit corners and free kicks pretty much equally well with both feet. Scholes didn't have all that in his locker.
In terms of moving the ball around and controlling the game Scholes was far better, though. The only active player that comes close is Kroos.
Only if he actually puts forward multiple seasons of consistent performance. Injuries, form and so on, he will be mostly viewed in English football as a talent who could have done so much more.
True. Now that United seem a functional unit, it’s his best opportunity to do just that. It would be a travesty if he’s not recognised alongside De Bruyne as clearly the best player in the league.
With aguero it does.. they don't have anybody like him.. KDB I agree
And he makes it look so easy. As close as it gets of someone similar to Scholes. Would love to have him somehow. If Pogba leaves, we should go all out for him.
They don't have anybody like him and KdB but they are alright as a team.
Aguero started only 21 PL games (4 from the bench) in 2017/2018 when City broke many records. (21 PL goals)
Started 31 games in Thropy less 2016/2017 season (20 PL goals).
Started 32 games (1 from the bench), 21 PL goals in title defence 2018/2019.
This season: 22 starts (2 from the bench). 16 goals.
Source: Transfermrkt.
Saw someone on twitter say something along the lines of for the amount of criticism Pogba has gotten can you imagine this KdB having to play in a double pivot with either Fellaini or Herrera?