Kevin de Bruyne

[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 21,733]

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 21,733]

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.

[Stingray 9,441]

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.

I find that way too harsh calling it shameful. lol.

He locked down that midfield. you see Mikel and Mata also strolling there. Just before KDB is the one that runs to him eventually. That is just cherry picking one event (which isn't so 'shameful' as you make it out to b, really. It made Ramsey turn back and yes .... give a ball to the flank - he could have only tackled his legs from under him) and extrapolating to the entire game.

Let's agree to disagree.

[Rom2013 446]

It's not that moment, it was 30 seconds after, when Ramsey shot. For me it's really shameful the way he defended Ramsey in that moment.

[Stingray 9,441]

It's not that moment, it was 30 seconds after, when Ramsey shot. For me it's really shameful the way he defended Ramsey in that moment.

ah yes, before the shot. That was just weak defending - admitted. He let him skip past him. Shameful I wouldn't call it. Ramsey goes forward and Mikel also doesn't close down. Just stays next to the LB.

To take that argument further : a couple of seconds later KDB hunts through and pressures the back to play the ball into the stadium.

Consequence: throw-in leading to the Mata goal. So yes. It is a bit cherry picking to take one defensive action and call it Shameful really.

[Barbara 15,149]

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.

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?

that's where I stand too.

I like Kevin and I really wish to see him play here what others say he played in Werden Bremen and what I've seen him playing for Belgium.

But he's the least of my concerns when we have a team playing the way we are. He could improve us? Of course he could, fact is except for a part of that match against Hull ever since then he didn't play at that level again.

So we win 8/9 of last matches, we beat ManCity - our strongest contender imo for EPL title - and Schalke and Arsenal away and in all those matches (except a few moments against ManCity) we were in complete control of the matches, barely being threatened. Our players are working amazingly together, regardless of who is there.

So I can't say a bad word about Mourinho's selection when whoever he selects is getting the job done.

I agree he wasn't bad yesterday, but he was definitely the most average player imo. All the other 9 outfield players involved played better than him imo and guys like Essien and Bertrand who have played very little as well, played better than him by a considerable margin imo. Actually Essien and Bertrand were two of the best in the pitch imo and they don't have matches under their belts. Damnit, Bertrand was overlooked in his natural position for Azpilicueta against Schalke and then he comes and play a cup match and simply nails it.

I'm not blaming Kevin. Some players do need matches under their belt to reach form. But I can't blame Mourinho either because in all honesty, the way this team has been playing the entire month of October we haven't missed Kevin in the lineup. So how can I look to a manager and say shit about him when his team selection got the results we had and most importantly the way we played and dominated opponents?

Some people here said they aren't impressed or convinced by Schürlle or Willian. At the end of the day they're both getting things done. Whether someone else could do better than them is another story, but Willian was immense yesterday and Schürrle was fantastic for us in some matches.

I'm getting more open to the loan thing involving Kev though. I guess he's not mentally ready to deal with the situation he found himself at the moment. He seemed to feel pressured and nervous yesterday, so maybe he needs to mature a bit more, get some nerves of steel and come back. I don't want him away, I want him with us for the long haul.

But one thing must be said, the way he's been handling the situation is class. Never a bad word from his mouth and you could see he was trying, he was just feeling smashed by the pressure of proving he can be good for us. Mourinho probably can see that will in the kid.

[Rom2013 446]

Consequence: throw-in leading to the Mata goal. So yes. It is a bit cherry picking to take one defensive action and call it Shameful really.

Put here the video if you want, it was shameful that moment, was beaten and didn't care about it, Ramsey shots without any oposition. With Mourinho he won't play if he continues doing that.

That's why Schurrle plays. And KdB doesn't. I can't remember the last time I saw a Mourinho player doing something like that.

[Stingray 9,441]

Put here the video if you want, it was shameful that moment, was beaten and didn't care about it, Ramsey shots without any oposition. With Mourinho he won't play if he continues doing that.

That's why Schurrle plays. And KdB doesn't. I can't remember the last time I saw a Mourinho player doing something like that.

Plz reread my post where I said it WAS bad defending. It being 'shameful' is your moral take on the matter, a personal opinion. An opinion that is biased in the sense that a couple seconds after he goes through on what the assistant Coach Steve called a 'lost cause' ball (which he applauded in his presser), gets a throw in and boom Mata scores beautifully. You cannot take the bad without taking the good in your moral equation of a player. That is why I said you were cherry picking.

As I said, let's agree to disagree.