🇧🇪 Kevin de Bruyne

[Jase 43,479]

He wasn't even that bad, just an average performance. Needs to do a lot more if he wants to break into the first team though. Right now, Schurrle, Willian, Mata, Oscar & Hazard are quite far ahead of him.

What I don't get with this whole situation is that De Bruyne impressed in pre-season and started 2 of our first 3 games, against Hull and Man United, where overall he played well especially against the former. But after that, we have hardly seen him getting any game time and at that time, Mourinho was banging about meritocracy and how players that perform well in a game will play in the next. If not, then that player is out with others coming in for them. Yet, despite those good performances from De Bruyne, he was never used since that game at Old Trafford till when the Capital One Cup games came about. Players that played below average then continued to play game after game and De Bruyne was ignored without getting any chance to play!

I don't deny that the Arsenal game was his chance to impress but it's absolutely ridiculous that his game time has to be based on his performance yesterday. It was practically only his 2nd game since that game against United at the end of August and his first in a month! Can't expect a player, who isn't at 100% in terms of fitness, sharpness, to just come in for a tough away game like that and turn its form on like a tap water. I didn't think he was THAT bad like some have made it out to be but really, De Bruyne must have felt so much pressure was on him that it had probably undermined his performance. And if the situation now is anything to go by, we probably won't see him playing again till the Capital One Cup quarter final tie comes around in December!

[Stingray 9,441]

What I don't get with this whole situation is that De Bruyne impressed in pre-season and started 2 of our first 3 games, against Hull and Man United, where overall he played well especially against the former. But after that, we have hardly seen him getting any game time and at that time, Mourinho was banging about meritocracy and how players that perform well in a game will play in the next. If not, then that player is out with others coming in for them. Yet, despite those good performances from De Bruyne, he was never used since that game at Old Trafford till when the Capital One Cup games came about. Players that played below average then continued to play game after game and De Bruyne was ignored without getting any chance to play!

I don't deny that the Arsenal game was his chance to impress but it's absolutely ridiculous that his game time has to be based on his performance yesterday. It was practically only his 2nd game since that game against United at the end of August and his first in a month! Can't expect a player, who isn't at 100% in terms of fitness, sharpness, to just come in a tough away game like that and just turn its form on like a tap water. I didn't think he was THAT bad like some have made it out to be but really, De Bruyne must have felt so much pressure was on him that it had probably undermined his performance. And if the situation now is anything to go by, we probably won't see him playing again till the Capital One Cup quarter final tie comes around in December!

Exactly this. Even Mata had a hard time picking up form in the beginning, only now is he really stepping up (caused by getting more minutes, no doubt).

Anyway, KDB seems to be in a more positive mindset than this thread

[qoute]

Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev)

29/10/13 23:50

Nice win today boys. On to the next one

[/qoute]

Get your head up Kev! Time always brings solace and opportunity .

[Gorando 184]

The guy is not that great.

KDB is just a hyped up player it seems.

Talent of the year in Germany, best player in a top 10 nation. yea all hype for sure. Thanks for your opinion of him on 3 games. We sure do value it

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He needs a run of games, and he isn't going to get that here. I want him to secure a loan - Leverkusen, Bremen, anyone - anywhere where he can show José what he can do, and secure a place at the World Cup finals, which he deserves.

[SykikJV 146]

He needs a run of games, and he isn't going to get that here. I want him to secure a loan - Leverkusen, Bremen, anyone - anywhere where he can show José what he can do, and secure a place at the World Cup finals, which he deserves.

Probably. You could see he isn't playing his natural game, he's playing like a player that has to prove things in one game. He needs games and confidence, but he probably won't get them with average performances.

In Belgian media today there was a report about Chelsea possibly using KDB in a move for Koke (Atletico).

[Christacinto 137]

So then how does Ryan has a great game despite not playing much?

Or Cesar?

Sorry but he only got himself to blame and no one else.

I'm aboard with a loan to a pl club.

So, I'm sorry but I don't think straightforward comparisons like that make sense. Characters of players can't be compared so easily; Kevin for instance needs a run of games

to build up momentum, it's his condition to shine. Other players like Ryan or Lukaku can deal with the bench (stands in Kevin's case) statute much better. Much has to do also with

the mindset with which they started the season. Ryan knew he'd be a bench player this season, so he's been expecting and preparing mentally for these kind of opportunities -

he can play free of pressure because he knows he'll have to "ease into" the team over the years. I don't think that's quite what Kevin believed or was aspiring for though...

Firstly, we're not sure what Jose told him at the start of preseason to keep him from going on loan,

Secondly, even he must have believed he'd probably become a 50-50 starting-bench player this season. as we all believed he would be (his preseason performances, José's quote about him, Hull and Manu,starts) What happened after that was unexpected for anyone - even for him I'm sure...

So, he was aiming and hoping for a first team position this season and he's ending up in the stands. How can you compare the amount of pressure this must evoke in his mind when he finally gets his shot with the calm, expected and premeditated appearances of Ryan or Azpi's? Again, they knew this would be their fate and they didn't get any direct competitors bought in their place (Schurrle and WIllian) like Kevin had.

Plus, obviously, they have much more experience at Chelsea's.

So yea, I think he's a good player and I think I understand why he's underperforming. To each his own opinion though!

[The_Flash 1,144]

He was ok, not a performance you would see him replace any of the others, but he is very young, a good prospect I think.

[Fernando 6,585]

So, I'm sorry but I don't think straightforward comparisons like that make sense. Characters of players can't be compared so easily; Kevin for instance needs a run of games

to build up momentum, it's his condition to shine. Other players like Ryan or Lukaku can deal with the bench (stands in Kevin's case) statute much better. Much has to do also with

the mindset with which they started the season. Ryan knew he'd be a bench player this season, so he's been expecting and preparing mentally for these kind of opportunities -

he can play free of pressure because he knows he'll have to "ease into" the team over the years. I don't think that's quite what Kevin believed or was aspiring for though...

Firstly, we're not sure what Jose told him at the start of preseason to keep him from going on loan,

Secondly, even he must have believed he'd probably become a 50-50 starting-bench player this season. as we all believed he would be (his preseason performances, José's quote about him, Hull and Manu,starts) What happened after that was unexpected for anyone - even for him I'm sure...

So, he was aiming and hoping for a first team position this season and he's ending up in the stands. How can you compare the amount of pressure this must evoke in his mind when he finally gets his shot with the calm, expected and premeditated appearances of Ryan or Azpi's? Again, they knew this would be their fate and they didn't get any direct competitors bought in their place (Schurrle and WIllian) like Kevin had.

Plus, obviously, they have much more experience at Chelsea's.

So yea, I think he's a good player and I think I understand why he's underperforming. To each his own opinion though!

Basically you are telling me that KDB is a character of weak mentality?

Sorry but I rather have strong minded person.

As Ray put it:

"This is a squad of fantastic footballers like Michael Essien who hadn't taken part this year and all of a sudden he comes in at the Emirates and he's outstanding."

These are the players we need not weak minded characters!

[ParNolio7 285]

So we have just won 2-0 away to Arsenal and people are moaning because De Bruyne got subbed off.

Oh boy ... If you don't want to hear about KDB, don't come to his forum. Simple as that. You're the joke, mate.

[Tomo 21,751]

Oh boy ... If you don't want to hear about KDB, don't come to his forum. Simple as that. You're the joke, mate.

For the record i like him and think he should play more, but we have won 8/9 and playing really, really well so that's good enough for me.

[Stingray 9,441]

Mental preparation when entering this thread ...

[ParNolio7 285]

My analysis of KDB's game last night:

First 20 minutes strong, very present, a threat.

Then a mix-up with Azpilicueta half-way the first half seemed to kill KDB's confidence. Made him pretty much unvisible for the rest of the first half. Afraid to ask the ball at times, a very strange contradiction to his first twenty minutes.

I though he was better again the first twenty minutes of the second half (until he was benched), more involved, good passing etc. but it did strike me that many players seemed to exclude him from the play. I can't recall a single pass from Obi Mikel, Essien or Willian directed to KDB. Only Mata combined with KDB. And somehow that's reassuring, cause great footballers like Mata tend to look for other great players on the field. So for Mata, KDB is definitely one of them.

So I thought it was a shame to see KDB subbed after 70 minutes, in my opinion a harsh and unnecessary decision. So pretty much in line with how he was treated ever since the United game. You can't say Mou isn't consistent with him ...

[ParNolio7 285]

For the record i like him and think he should play more, but we have won 8/9 and playing really, really well so that's good enough for me.

That's not the point. Doesn't matter if you like him or think he's crap. On a KDB forum people are going to discuss KDB, win or lose.

If you just want to talk about how great Chelsea was playing and all that, just go to the post-match thread. You won't be reading (as many) KDB comments there.

[Tomo 21,751]

That's not the point. Doesn't matter if you like him or think he's crap. On a KDB forum people are going to discuss KDB, win or lose.

If you just want to talk about how great Chelsea was playing and all that, just go to the post-match thread. You won't be reading (as many) KDB comments there.

I understand that, it's the bashing of Mourinho im a bit bemused by, not so much after last night but defiantly other times.

and regarding your last point on your previous comment, we needed to close the game out and get an extra body in midfield with Ozil on, so it was out of Mata, Willian and KDB that needed to go off (unless we hauled off Eto'o and played Mata or KDB as a false 9 for the remainder), if not KDB,who out of the other two do you believe should have gone off?

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

My analysis of KDB's game last night:

First 20 minutes strong, very present, a threat.

Then a mix-up with Azpilicueta half-way the first half seemed to kill KDB's confidence. Made him pretty much unvisible for the rest of the first half. Afraid to ask the ball at times, a very strange contradiction to his first twenty minutes.

I though he was better again the first twenty minutes of the second half (until he was benched), more involved, good passing etc. but it did strike me that many players seemed to exclude him from the play. I can't recall a single pass from Obi Mikel, Essien or Willian directed to KDB. Only Mata combined with KDB. And somehow that's reassuring, cause great footballers like Mata tend to look for other great players on the field. So for Mata, KDB is definitely one of them.

So I thought it was a shame to see KDB subbed after 70 minutes, in my opinion a harsh and unnecessary decision. So pretty much in line with how he was treated ever since the United game. You can't say Mou isn't consistent with him ...

You're just paranoid and obsessed. It's sad really. You realise this is a Chelsea forum don't you? You know the team that's won 8 out of the last 9?

[Rom2013 446]

He played badly but more important than that in the minute 63 let Ramsay shot without any opposition. It was absolutely incredible.

He doesn't play because he doesn't like to work, and thankfully he won't play until he understand that,

Bad games every player has them, but when you don't care about the team you won't play with Mourinho.

[Stingray 9,441]

we needed to close the game out and get an extra body in midfield with Ozil on, so it was out of Mata, Willian and KDB that needed to go off (unless we hauled off Eto'o and played Mata or KDB as a false 9 for the remainder), if not KDB,who out of the other two do you believe should have gone off?

True.

Also, I am just looking at the match for the second time because i wanted to know just how bad he was (he was actually pretty ok tbh, just not decisive).

What strikes me is that he had to deal with a very attacking and motivated Azpi - who did a very fine job. But - and I am guessing this is what Mou wants from him - he had to backtrack a LOT because of that. I think he is being benched mostly because Mou wants that aspect educated in his play and he somehow doesn't pick up on it yet - consciously or unconsciously .

Eg. Look at around the 50 minute mark. We see KDB getting the ball and making a through pass to Azpi. Azpi gets to the byline where he passes back to the center. KDB drops back to the LB position while Azpi stays higher up on that wing. He stays for quite a while, even positioning himself in the pivot for the counter that comes later. I saw that a number of times during the game and it is a bit new for KDB I can imagine.

It also seemed he was leaving initiative to others (after the 20th minute) or just seemed lost a bit positionally (examplified by eg. 20th minute on the left flank where he just wanted that ball but ran in the way on the left wing between Eto'o, Willian and Bertrand).

We can only guess, but I think it is pretty much the defensive duty thing that has killed his chances a bit lately. also regarding him being 'weak mentally', that is a pile of crap :-). If anything, KDB is a pretty stubborn hardheaded (his media outfalls in the past really suggest that) fella, and I think it is THAT which is hindering im now. Mou wants to get him in line - hence the 'he has to make steps towards me as well).

As I said - I think Mou will make or break him. As he said in preseason - he looks like a kid, but he plays like a man. So, I hope he can also get his manly stubbornness in check and play all out, because that is what it is going to take. Football wise the boys is not overrated really, you guys just haven't seen him play much like some of us did. Check the Werder Bremen forum for comments btw :-)

He doesn't play because he doesn't like to work, and thankfully he won't play until he understand that

This however is based on air. The boy had the highest work rate/miles ran in the bundesliga last year for crying out loud.

[Rom2013 446]

This however is based on air. The boy had the highest work rate/miles ran in the bundesliga last year for crying out loud.

At CHelsea he doesn't, it was shameful the way he defended Ramsey in that moment (minute 62). He needs to start defending with the same intensity of the other players, or he won't play at all.

[ja1 1,166]

Of course he was nervous/uncomfortable. Last time he played badly he got sent to train with the U21s and did not play for the next 7/8 games. He was okay yesterday. The thing that irks me is that people act as if KDB is playing crap each chance he gets and his competition is playing out of their skins. KDB was our best player in pre-season and MOTM against Hull. Willian and Mata have also had flashes of good games and poor games. Hazard has been disappointing for the majority of the season so far and Schurrle has not done it for me at all. He's been the worst of the front four in his last 3 matches but apparently gets away with it because he's getting a run of games. Only Oscar is consistently performing. I see no reason why KDB is being reduced to CC appearances. (Same with Bertrand).

[ja1 1,166]

He played badly but more important than that in the minute 63 let Ramsay shot without any opposition. It was absolutely incredible.

He doesn't play because he doesn't like to work, and thankfully he won't play until he understand that,

Bad games every player has them, but when you don't care about the team you won't play with Mourinho.

Just because KDB didn't clash into tackles, which Mata never did until this season, doesn't mean he didn't and doesn't work hard. He covered the most ground in the Bundesliga this season, and many times tracked Monreal well, blocked crosses and pressed Arsenal into forcing clearances.