🇧🇪 Kevin de Bruyne

[CHOULO19 24,332]

There has been so much "discussion" in this thread, yet no one has mentioned this: KDB was probably our best man during preseason up until his injury when he was mainly playing centrally in the number 10 role, then his best performance by far for us was against Hull when again he was playing centrally most of the game. The three other performances when he's failed to impress have all been on the wing. So maybe he's not a natural winger as everyone keeps saying..

Yeah, that explains it...not! Is that chicken?!

[The_Flash 1,144]

Wish I had a kebab right now, anyone feel like nipping out to get me one?

[The_Flash 1,144]

Had it in my head game was Tuesday it's Wed, damn it, I'll be out

[The Skipper 20,609]

KDB - Mikel or KDB - Ramires pivot would be very interesting.

Said it earlier in this thread but if he works on his defensive game a lot he'd be a great player there.

[Korea 734]

Is kdb defense really that bad?

I mean mata to me is really bad defensively, so, if KDB is worse than mata in that aspect, I'm not really sure how KDB can play the pivot.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I am sure that we wont see KDB in the pivot over Lampard or Essien under Jose.

[ParNolio7 285]

I disagree mate. He plays centrally really well. Passing. Dictating tempo when having the game to be super pacey. Loved when he did it at Genk, Bremen and the Nt. On the wing - in Mou's system - and with a lack of targets to cross those balls to (we dont have a Benteke kind of finisher). Naah. The pivot (8-not the 6) could be really up his alley.

I'm not convinced. A CM in the BPL needs to switch, pass, decide ... very quickly. KDB likes to have the ball, I think definitely for Chelsea's type of playing he would slow down the game too much. KDB is actually the one who should get the ball from the pivot to set up an attack, come inside, play a through ball, throw in a cross, etc. That's where his strengths lie imo. So I think it'd be a waste for Chelsea to have him slow down the game in the middle and a waste for his personal strengths as well.

[ParNolio7 285]

He's bang out of form. Well off the pace, the last couple of games actually he's been our worst player, arguably. Needs to spend a little less time on the pitch, because quite a lot of the time we're playing with 10 men.

True. I get that a club icon like Lampard deserves some respect, but the difference in treatment is becoming a tad ridiculous now. KDB had one poor performance against United and never even made it into the selection anymore. Frankie is playing poorly match after match now and is still the first on Mou's sheet.

On the other hand, there comes a time you need to stick with a certain plan, if Lampard is part of that, you need to stick by it until it goes horribly wrong, that hasn't really happened yet.

[ParNolio7 285]

h I am sure that we wont see KDB in the pivot over Lampard or Essien under Jose.

Agreed.

The only central role I could see him play is that of Oscar, just in behind the striker. With his strength, pace, finishing and through balls he can also be a threat there.

When you come to think about it, perhaps even better there than on the left or right given the way Chelsea likes to play.

Who are we kidding though, can't see KDB playing in a match of importance for CFC until New Year when he'll probably be loaned out or sold, the latter being the better option for all parties (except for the KDB & CFC fans like myself ...)

[SykikJV 146]

I'm not convinced. A CM in the BPL needs to switch, pass, decide ... very quickly. KDB likes to have the ball, I think definitely for Chelsea's type of playing he would slow down the game too much. KDB is actually the one who should get the ball from the pivot to set up an attack, come inside, play a through ball, throw in a cross, etc. That's where his strengths lie imo. So I think it'd be a waste for Chelsea to have him slow down the game in the middle and a waste for his personal strengths as well.

KDB slowing down the game? His best asset in that position is his passing range. He won't slow up the game playing as a CM.

I don't think he's strong enough yet to play in that position in the big games. But in home games against inferior opposition, it's well worth the try. He played his best games in the CM-position and he'll be involved much more in the game in that position, which makes it easier to gain confidence.

[ParNolio7 285]

KDB slowing down the game? His best asset in that position is his passing range. He won't slow up the game playing as a CM.

I don't think he's strong enough yet to play in that position in the big games. But in home games against inferior opposition, it's well worth the try. He played his best games in the CM-position and he'll be involved much more in the game in that position, which makes it easier to gain confidence.

I still don't think it's a good idea: defensively too weak, little experience in that role, too much of his attacking qualities go to waste ... I'd like to see him on either one of the three AM (L, R or C) positions.

[Weckerz 3,781]

I still don't think it's a good idea: defensively too weak, little experience in that role, too much of his attacking qualities go to waste ... I'd like to see him on either one of the three AM (L, R or C) positions.

Which won't happen, not consistently anyway. Point is Lampard has been useless lately, Kevin could possibly fill that void in the centre of the pitch. I never liked him on the wings anyway, he's slow and his crosses will rarely connect with our strikers or one of our midgets up front.

[Fastrobbie 26]

I guess KDB is in a bit of a tough spot.

• AMC: Oscar, Mata: No place for KDB here, unless for injuries / suspensions.
• AML / AMR: Schurrle, Hazard, William: They seem more the appropriate winger type to me then KDB is

Playing KDB in the pivot would require a lot of moulding and perhaps that might not even be possible at all.
I guess we will need to have patience and time will tell what Mourinho has planned with KDB.

[Fernando 6,585]

Giving how the squad was so horrible against Newcastle this guy merits a chance mid week.

And I would not put it pass Mourinho to do something like that.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Does anyone remember Schweinsteiger who started out as a left midfielder/winger before being moved into what is now the pivot role?

It's been done before. I can see Kevin achieving the same if he works hard at his defensive side of the game.

[Tomo 21,751]

Does anyone remember Schweinsteiger who started out as a left midfielder/winger before being moved into what is now the pivot role?

It's been done before. I can see Kevin achieving the same if he works hard at his defensive side of the game.

Maybe this is what Mourinho has been planning all along. Im still not convinced but if Jose thinks he could be a solution there, he has my backing.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Does anyone remember Schweinsteiger who started out as a left midfielder/winger before being moved into what is now the pivot role?

It's been done before. I can see Kevin achieving the same if he works hard at his defensive side of the game.

The perfect scenario for us if that pans out.

He definitely has the potential.

Maybe we don't need a CM come January.

De Bruyne- Rami pivot can work magic.

[Miguelito 459]

I wrote last year in this thread I thought his future would be as a cm. I know it might just be me but he reminds a lot of scholes. His passing range has that type of potential.

Obviously scholes was a plain awful tackler too so that is also what made me think of him. But like many have said. If he works on his defense, he could be amazing there. I have really big doubts about it and honestly don't think it will happen, but I could see it

[bouletje 82]

I've heard the theory of KDB replacing Lampard in the future for Chelsea from quite a few ppl that know what they are takling about when it comes to football in general. Please don't give me the KDB fanboy stamp for this....

My own opinion tho is that his defensive qualities are too poor for that role...

[DDA 9,939]

I've heard the theory of KDB replacing Lampard in the future for Chelsea from quite a few ppl that know what they are takling about when it comes to football in general. Please don't give me the KDB fanboy stamp for this....

My own opinion tho is that his defensive qualities are too poor for that role...

People tend to talk up 'the defensive duties' as if every other player who isn't a defensive midfielder can't make a tackle or positiin themselves to make it awkward for the opposition. Kevin has the passing game to become a center mid and if you compare him to the current Frank Lampard then let's face it, his legs are younger and has more energy witch is needed in that role. Lampard isn't a good tackler and isn't effective in the pivot at all. We haven't seen Kev there yet so how do we know he woudln't flourish there??