Kevin de Bruyne

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

If the problem is that we can't win the midfield and dominate teams, then the ideal solution is hardly to play an attacking midfielder deeper and give him more defensive duties than he is used to.

While that's true, I'd factored in the apparent reluctance Mourinho has to playing Mikel (who would be my first choice for the role with Ramires).

And I think we would dominate possession more against the smaller sides with a metronome player in there.

[happy_juan 64]

I would play Kevin or Oscar in one of the pivot roles alongside Ramires in the next games.

We can't dominate or even compete in any midfield battle with Lampard leaving gaps everywhere.

Absolutely. High time we put someone who can pass the ball well in that area of the field. Lampard lacks discipline, ramires' strong point is not passing and mikel/mvg are just "safe" passers.

Besides given our other DMs are bullied around by the likes of Toure, Barkely, Fernandinho, no harm in trying players who will at least contribute in other ways.

[Pär Nolio 1]

Absolutely. High time we put someone who can pass the ball well in that area of the field. Lampard lacks discipline, ramires' strong point is not passing and mikel/mvg are just "safe" passers.

All agreed. Just put in your best players and you'll be guaranteed to dominate play. This is what I would do:

Hazard - Schürrle

De Bruyne - Mata - Oscar - Willian

[CHOULO19 24,332]

While that's true, I'd factored in the apparent reluctance Mourinho has to playing Mikel (who would be my first choice for the role with Ramires).

And I think we would dominate possession more against the smaller sides with a metronome player in there.

Don't know about Jose's "reluctance" to play Mikel, he's played more than KDB so far and if the past two games indicate anything is that maybe Jose is starting to realize that we need him, especially against teams with a decent midfield. For me Ramires-Mikel has to be our first choice pair for the pivot.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I meant his preference for Lampard over Mikel.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Ok, with Oscar as 10# on his head, this boy got to start playing in the pivot, if we dont want to keep seeing this slow/non-existent build up from midfield. I personally cant see those Mikel/Ramires/Lampard combo's anymore.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

4) hs the potential to play in the CM as well.

Has he actually played there recently? I mean there's been a lot said about his ability to play there and fix all our problems in this position, but how many times does he actually play there?

[Korea 734]

Has he actually played there recently? I mean there's been a lot said about his ability to play there and fix all our problems in this position, but how many times does he actually play there?

Well, we played a ton of 4-3-3 this season. Even though Oscar is our #10, the formation usually turns from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3....

I'm not sure if he would do well in a 2 man pivot against pressing teams, however, epl teams cms aren't that good, so I suppose he could....

[Korea 734]

Anyone thinks he's going to get loan out this season?

[lucio 5,418]

Anyone thinks he's going to get loan out this season?

to who? the window is shut

[Stingray 9,441]

Has he actually played there recently? I mean there's been a lot said about his ability to play there and fix all our problems in this position, but how many times does he actually play there?

Yes. With Genk and Bremen - once with the nt.

[mediator 2,026]

and vs real madrid during the preseason

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Yes. With Genk and Bremen - once with the nt.

Not really with Bremen. He played as CM in a 4-3-3 but in reality, he played right behind the striker in a role which would be the #10 in our system and nothing like the central midfield of a 4-2-3-1. Maybe he played CM at Genk, but I don't think in his last year there, he did (I think he played mostly on the wing). The idea of moving De Bruyne to the pivot has always seemed like a fantasy than reality. De Bruyne's game is simply not suited for that position (bad defensively, too low percentage passer). His game is naturally suited for an attacking midfielder.

@mediator. In the Real Madrid match, have a look at De Bruyne's average position. His average position was further forward than any player except Lukaku. (Even further than Torres' position when he came on.) That's not central midfield.

[Barbara 15,149]

Not really with Bremen. He played as CM in a 4-3-3 but in reality, he played right behind the striker in a role which would be the #10 in our system and nothing like the central midfield of a 4-2-3-1. Maybe he played CM at Genk, but I don't think in his last year there, he did (I think he played mostly on the wing). The idea of moving De Bruyne to the pivot has always seemed like a fantasy than reality. De Bruyne's game is simply not suited for that position (bad defensively, too low percentage passer). His game is naturally suited for an attacking midfielder.

@mediator. In the Real Madrid match, have a look at De Bruyne's average position. His average position was further forward than any player except Lukaku. (Even further than Torres' position when he came on.) That's not central midfield.

thanks for the insight. I've been wanting to read something concrete about his experience as a CM for a while and as I more often than not see the game the same way as you do - even when we disagree about something - I'll take your word on that.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Not really with Bremen. He played as CM in a 4-3-3 but in reality, he played right behind the striker in a role which would be the #10 in our system and nothing like the central midfield of a 4-2-3-1. Maybe he played CM at Genk, but I don't think in his last year there, he did (I think he played mostly on the wing). The idea of moving De Bruyne to the pivot has always seemed like a fantasy than reality. De Bruyne's game is simply not suited for that position (bad defensively, too low percentage passer). His game is naturally suited for an attacking midfielder.

At Genk in his last season he was in the form of his career back then playing CM in a 4-4-2 if I remember correctly. He was pulling outstanding performances. The notion that it's a fantasy that KDB can play in CM isn't a fantasy. He's done it before, and he's done it well.

[Barbara 15,149]

At Genk in his last season he was in the form of his career back then playing CM in a 4-4-2 if I remember correctly. He was pulling outstanding performances. The notion that it's a fantasy that KDB can play in CM isn't a fantasy. He's done it before, and he's done it well.

yeah, but how much does it count? I mean to be a CM in Belgian league is one thing, to be it on Premier League is something completely different, don't you think? Ramires was a DM - not only a CM or a B2B, but a DM player in Brazil and he couldn't handle the physicality in EPL in his first season, which is one of the things that led him to struggle a lot and he ended up evolving into a B2B player. Being a CM or a DM in a league like EPL requires you to really excel in the position in lighter leagues.

Our problem in the pivot is partially balanced by Oscar moving deeper as often as he does. Every time he does it, it feels like we're playing 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1, so he makes up for Ramires horrible passing and Mikel's lack of vision - strengthening the pivot without playing there.

I want to see Kev playing, I'm one of the people who wants it more, but I'd love for it to be in the wing. As you're providing now info I didn't have and adding what TorontoChelsea and Stingray said previously, I guess that we could do some testing replacing Lamps maybe, but he would have to tackle, intercept, run and press more than Ramires. If the preferable partnership is Mikel or Ramires + Lamps, I'd replace him for Lamps, but right now we would need to have a first class partnership to displace Mikel/Ramires. They're much better than any combo involving Lamps because of the solid defending and midfield occupation and domination. As I said the letdown is their passing and vision, but for as long as Oscar drops to help, it's worked around with.

[bushman 2,043]

KDB showed much promises during the pre-season games. Suddenly, he is not playing, as promised.

One may ask, why ? Perhaps, Jose´s new project has a lot to do with it ?

I assume, KDB will be playing against bombastic Swindon. After all, even Mata has to prove himself to Jose all over again.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Although he would probably do good as a CM, it's just not a good idea to waste his marvelous crosses from the wing. He's been so crucial with them for the NT this last year, he kind of took everyone by surprise. A year ago he was a decent substitute, now he's practically one of the first names on the teamsheet together with Courtois, Kompany and Witsel.