Do not think we'd be much closer to be honest. Top four would be looking a lot more comfortable but we were struggling even with de Bruyne in the side. Agree about next season though, if he keeps fit he can truly be a special player and one of the best in the world, I fully believe that.He'd be my bet for player of the season in 16/17. Have to wonder how close City would be to the title if he'd stayed fit, incredible player.
Well he's already helped us reach the CL semi final and without him we would not be in fourth right now, that alone is hugely important. However it goes deeper than just what can be achieved in one season, I'm basing it on the performances he has given which have made it clear just how good he is. If he stays fit, I have no doubt he'll be a key player for us over the next few seasons.After one season? Wow!
He'd have to do that a lot more than one season for me to say he's 'well worth it'. He's a very good player, but I find his good numbers (goals and assists) often blind people to his general play, which at times, can be pretty poor, in my opinion. For example, he was pretty poor in against PSG then he grabbed the winner. Now, obviously footballs about goals and stepping up at important times, but I feel his general play has to improve.Well he's already helped us reach the CL semi final and without him we would not be in fourth right now, that alone is hugely important. However it goes deeper than just what can be achieved in one season, I'm basing it on the performances he has given which have made it clear just how good he is. If he stays fit, I have no doubt he'll be a key player for us over the next few seasons.
Couldn't disagree more, his general play is very good. He's not a David Silva type player who controls the game and he does give the ball away more than him, but that's his style, he is always looking for the killer pass and at least once a game he will find it. Give him a top striker such as Aguero and he is devastating. As for his performances, he's only just come back from a pretty big injury. In those games, where he is still clearly lacking fitness, he got a goal and an assist v Bournemouth, a goal v PSG, helped set-up the winning goal v West Brom, and now scored the winner against PSG. I'm not sure what more you could ask for to demonstrate his class in such a short period of time considering his fitness.He'd have to do that a lot more than one season for me to say he's 'well worth it'. He's a very good player, but I find his good numbers (goals and assists) often blind people to his general play, which at times, can be pretty poor, in my opinion. For example, he was pretty poor in against PSG then he grabbed the winner. Now, obviously footballs about goals and stepping up at important times, but I feel his general play has to improve.
I'm talking about pre injury too. I have a few posts in this thread, where I talk about how disappointing his general play was. That said, I guess you know a lot more than me. I just can't see the hype around him most people do.Couldn't disagree more, his general play is very good. He's not a David Silva type player who controls the game and he does give the ball away more than him, but that's his style, he is always looking for the killer pass and at least once a game he will find it. Give him a top striker such as Aguero and he is devastating. As for his performances, he's only just come back from a pretty big injury. In those games, where he is still clearly lacking fitness, he got a goal and an assist v Bournemouth, a goal v PSG, helped set-up the winning goal v West Brom, and now scored the winner against PSG. I'm not sure what more you could ask for to demonstrate his class in such a short period of time considering his fitness.
Edit - Just to add, I'm not saying he cannot improve his general play, obviously he can, I do not believe it is a noticeable weakness to his game though.
I'd agree with Silva, but Aguero is still their most dangerous player. Even when hes not scoring hes pulling defenders all over the field and they cant leave him alone for a second.Might be an unpopular but he has gone past aguero and silva as citys most important player.
@BobbyManc Would you say nay or yay to that opinion.
Vidal is flourishing under PepWould be very interesting to see how Pep uses him. He is way too direct to play as a #10 for Guardiola so he might be moved to the right but that will half his quality. Or maybe Pep just stops being so anal about possession and it solves everything in one go, that'd be sad
Different role though. Vidal's not a playmaker and needs the game run through him, it's more difficult in De Bruyne's case in my opinion. But you're right, Pep has shown versatility in his approach and found ways to include players not necessarily suited to possession football in his possession football, so I'm sure he'll find a way to do the same with De Bruyne. I'm actually really curious what he'll do with him, De Bruyne is a future superstar (if he isn't one already). He's simply amazing, he was already better than Hazard last season, just no one wanted to believe it because he did it only at Wolfsburg. Their performances for Belgium over the last 3-4 years clearly show it though, not only in terms of ability but especially when it comes to leadership and determination.Vidal is flourishing under Pep
Being better then Hazard isn't a great deal though, is it? I've got shits that would do more then Hazard on a football pitch.Different role though. Vidal's not a playmaker and needs the game run through him, it's more difficult in De Bruyne's case in my opinion. But you're right, Pep has shown versatility in his approach and found ways to include players not necessarily suited to possession football in his possession football, so I'm sure he'll find a way to do the same with De Bruyne. I'm actually really curious what he'll do with him, De Bruyne is a future superstar (if he isn't one already). He's simply amazing, he was already better than Hazard last season, just no one wanted to believe it because he did it only at Wolfsburg. Their performances for Belgium over the last 3-4 years clearly show it though, not only in terms of ability but especially when it comes to leadership and determination.
Bayern was interested in signing de Bruyne, but the timing was a bit wrong for us and we wouldn't have paid what City paid. Not sure if it was on Pep's initiative, because Pep would have been here for only one more year. If we had signed him, it would have been because the club wanted him longterm no matter who's manager.Being better then Hazard isn't a great deal though, is it? I've got shits that would do more then Hazard on a football pitch.
I don't know how De Bruyne will work with Pep. Although, wasn't he interested in signing him for Bayern?
Hmmm. I dunno. Its going to be an interesting year for most teams in the league.Bayern was interested in signing de Bruyne, but the timing was a bit wrong for us and we wouldn't have paid what City paid. Not sure if it was on Pep's initiative, because Pep would have been here for only one more year. If we had signed him, it would have been because the club wanted him longterm no matter who's manager.
I'd agree that his performance against PSG was underwhelming despite all the fanfare. That said, he was decisive enough to effectively win City the tie. What has impressed me most though recently is how quickly he has returned to form after his injury. That's very rare to be out for any sustained length of time and come straight back into match-winning form. It's likely to be the difference to ensure City stagger over the line into the Champions League spots for next year.He'd have to do that a lot more than one season for me to say he's 'well worth it'. He's a very good player, but I find his good numbers (goals and assists) often blind people to his general play, which at times, can be pretty poor, in my opinion. For example, he was pretty poor in against PSG then he grabbed the winner. Now, obviously footballs about goals and stepping up at important times, but I feel his general play has to improve.
It happens. Fergie let Pogba go and no one in here would complain if we paid 80m to sign him back.Our supposed next manager got rid of him and lukaku and brought in the likes of pedro, salah, hubabuba, Falcao... Did he also bring in filipe luis? Fecked him off wihout giving him a good run as well then.
Yeah, this. de Bruyne is very important but without him we still have Silva to play the #10 role. Without Aguero we have Bony and a young Iheanacho. I'd also rank Kompany as second most important above de Bruyne.I'd agree with Silva, but Aguero is still their most dangerous player. Even when hes not scoring hes pulling defenders all over the field and they cant leave him alone for a second.
I disagree, I think Aguero has been better than Aguero.He's easily a better player than Silva IMO. Actually contributes a lot in the final third in terms of goals and assists. I actually think that Silva is quite overrated, not once he's been consistently throughout the whole season. I think in terms of impact Aguero, Kompany and Yaya Toure have been far better than Aguero in whatever success they've had.
This. But don't worry, Mourinho is the messiah and when he comes all will be well/Our supposed next manager got rid of him and lukaku and brought in the likes of pedro, salah, hubabuba, Falcao... Did he also bring in filipe luis? Fecked him off wihout giving him a good run as well then.