Kevin de Bruyne

[yuvala 2,167]

This stupid 6-7 attacking midfield options really is turning out to be one player too many and frankly epic fail.. wouldn't blame KDB at all if he left..

Well atleast its better than Mata, Oscar, Hazard + Marin and the rest... (last season)

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

No he hasn't. Not a fair one anyway. If it is Mata, it is ok to be rusty. If it is Hazard, he has underlying potential. If it is our entire defense bar Terry, it is whatever ....

Fact remains KDb was one of the best in pre season and pays heavily for not playing that well one game and some odd minutes. That is not a shot ... Especially after such a long time of simply no games .

People are getting it wrong about why KDB isn't playing. It's not because of one poor game, it's because of a lot of poor play but it's mostly because he simply doesn't fit into Mourinho's style. Neither does Mata, but Mata is one of the elite offensive players in the world, one of the best players in the Premier League for 2 years in a row. Both Mata and De Bruyne just don't fit Mourinho's defensive work-rate, raw speed, work inside a tight system, style of play. I don't think we should have signed Willian but when we did, it as always going too be difficult for De Bruyne to get time. Willian and Schurrle fit the Chelsea system much more. Hazard and Oscar have played regularly and the Schurrle, Willian, and Mata have been rotated into the other 1 position. Those players aren't getting any regular playing time, never mind De Bruyne.

And no, Kevin hasn't done himself any favours starting with not practicing hard. He had one great half against Hull and since then, he's been bad every time he's played. He had 3 starts after his Hull game. Against ManU, Arsenal in the League Cup (let's not pretend this was a full Arsenal side) and Swindon. He was either the worst or one of the worst player on the pitch in all three games. He did absolutely nothing. No goals, no assists, 1 tackle, 4 fouls, roughly 79% passing, 5 turnovers., was generally a pylon defensively Rated worst or second worst among our starters for all 3 games on whoscored. He's had more players dribble by him this season than he's made tackles. and interceptions combined. Why does he deserve to get a run of games? De Bruyne has had 4 starts. Schurrle and Mata have only had 9 starts. Willian has had 6. De Bruyne's competition has played better than he has, has had a better attitude than he has, has more experience than he has. You going to sit Hazard or Schurrle or Oscar or Mata just because you want De Bruyne to get a run of games? This isn't a situation like with Lukaku where the players in front of him are all suspect or middling, or a case with Courtois where there is only one aging player ahead of him, this is a case of having a whole bunch of young, quality options who fit the system better ahead of him.

@Stingray-Pre-season doesn't matter at all!!! I wish people would just stop bringing it up. It's entirely about fitness. Nothing else matters at all. Literally, on a scale of 1-10, your pre-season performance on a team like Chelsea is a 1. And yes, it's OK for Mata or Hazard to be rusty. Mata is a back to back Chelsea player of the year winner, made the PFA team of the year last year. Hazard also made PFA team of the year after winning player of the year in France in back to back seasons. Both players have proven their quality so when they struggle, it's not the same as when a player who has never played in the league struggles. Are you really suggesting that De Bruyne should get the same slack as Mata and Hazard? It's absurd. Of course teams treat proven players with a longer leash. Anything else would be idiocy.

[Weckerz 3,781]

Ofcourse pre-season matters, it's the basis for a manager to form his squad for the season. Every player is equally motivated to do well in those games because that's the period places are up for grabs. Well for most clubs anyway.

[Stingray 9,441]

No he hasn't. Not a fair one anyway. If it is Mata, it is ok to be rusty. If it is Hazard, he has underlying potential. If it is our entire defense bar Terry, it is whatever ....

Fact remains KDb was one of the best in pre season and pays heavily for not playing that well one game and some odd minutes. That is not a shot ... Especially after such a long time of simply no games .

@Stingray-Pre-season doesn't matter at all!!! I wish people would just stop bringing it up. It's entirely about fitness. Nothing else matters at all. Literally, on a scale of 1-10, your pre-season performance on a team like Chelsea is a 1. And yes, it's OK for Mata or Hazard to be rusty. Mata is a back to back Chelsea player of the year winner, made the PFA team of the year last year. Hazard also made PFA team of the year after winning player of the year in France in back to back seasons. Both players have proven their quality so when they struggle, it's not the same as when a player who has never played in the league struggles. Are you really suggesting that De Bruyne should get the same slack as Mata and Hazard? It's absurd. Of course teams treat proven players with a longer leash. Anything else would be idiocy.

No. Not really what I tried to say, mate.

One, I disagree about preseason being only about fitness. I think that is a noarrow minded view few coaches would share with you tbh. If you think that is fact, I disagree (and some first league coaches with me btw here in Belgium).

Two: the rusty part: it is nowhere near about 'being ok rusty' or whatever. I know Mata has a track record and Hazard is awesome . My argument is that when they don't play (or dont play well) it is because they are rusty - so people say. When it is KDB, it is suddenly not taking his 'chances'. I remind you I reacted on a post saying he didn't take his chances, whatever they might have been. I found this line of reasoning to be a pure fallacy.

Idiocy? No ... I simply never said that actually. He doesn't need more slack. Completely different topic to say that. Again: it is simply unfair that one player has a bad match and he 'didn't take his chance' and another is 'rusty'. If you do that, it is such a category mistake.

I do believe in match rythm and even our stars need it. Why wouldn't the young guys? People so much underestimate that + the accompanied psychological/motivational component when talking about players. I find this ...... quite baffling and it is what i was reacting to in my original post.

Please, do not make my argument a strawman, i beg you.

[Stingray 9,441]

Dp crap ipad!

[Stingray 9,441]

Triple p.

[haranr 485]

No he hasn't. Not a fair one anyway. If it is Mata, it is ok to be rusty. If it is Hazard, he has underlying potential. If it is our entire defense bar Terry, it is whatever ....

Fact remains KDb was one of the best in pre season and pays heavily for not playing that well one game and some odd minutes. That is not a shot ... Especially after such a long time of simply no games .

I meant he has had a shot on goal.... against hull for example..

[Stingray 9,441]

I meant he has had a shot on goal.... against hull for example..

Lmaooooo !! Dude. Then be clear. You just wrote: 'he had a shot' after someone saying he never got a real shot at the team.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

No. Not really what I tried to say, mate.

One, I disagree about preseason being only about fitness. I think that is a noarrow minded view few coaches would share with you tbh. If you think that is fact, I disagree (and some first league coaches with me btw here in Belgium).

Two: the rusty part: it is nowhere near about 'being ok rusty' or whatever. I know Mata has a track record and Hazard is awesome . My argument is that when they don't play (or dont play well) it is because they are rusty - so people say. When it is KDB, it is suddenly not taking his 'chances'. I remind you I reacted on a post saying he didn't take his chances, whatever they might have been. I found this line of reasoning to be a pure fallacy.

Idiocy? No ... I simply never said that actually. He doesn't need more slack. Completely different topic to say that. Again: it is simply unfair that one player has a bad match and he 'didn't take his chance' and another is 'rusty'. If you do that, it is such a category mistake.

I do believe in match rythm and even our stars need it. Why wouldn't the young guys? People so much underestimate that + the accompanied psychological/motivational component when talking about players. I find this ...... quite baffling and it is what i was reacting to in my original post.

Please, do not make my argument a strawman, i beg you.

De Bruyne didn't have one bad match. It's what I was saying. He had three matches where he was arguably our worst player. It's hard to shine not playing regularly, but when you're that bad 3 games in a row, the coach is going to notice.Yes, I agree players need rhythm to succeed which is why I've been saying even before pre-season that you CAN have too much depth. (despite the constant "you can never have too much depth" refrain from people that want to see us buy everybody) I am a big believer in playing guys for a while to see what they can do, even through mistakes If we hadn't have signed Willian, things would be different but as it is, only Hazard and Oscar have been allowed to get into a rhythm of any sort. Mata finally started three games in a row and those have been mostly at right midfield in a system that doesn't suite him with responsibilities that hamper the best part of his game. Willian and Schurrle have both not played for long stretches. This is not a De Bruyne problem.The problem is that we have too many attacking midfielders and strikers so that none of them (except Hazard and Oscar) will likely ever get into a rhythm. .

And yes, pre-season is meaningless except for fitness, getting money, and supporters' hopes that whoever is doing well in meaningless games is suddenly going to get playing time.Mourinho had his starting XI set before pre-season and nothing short of an injury would have changed that. It's the same with every single team. Results don't matter. Performances don't matter. it's about getting into game shape.

[Yeboii 1,844]

No he hasn't. Not a fair one anyway. If it is Mata, it is ok to be rusty. If it is Hazard, he has underlying potential. If it is our entire defense bar Terry, it is whatever ....

Fact remains KDb was one of the best in pre season and pays heavily for not playing that well one game and some odd minutes. That is not a shot ... Especially after such a long time of simply no games .

He had a good shot at the beginning of the season and he failed Jose. Not a fair one? I would say Schurrle has been treated more unfairly as he delivers well every time he plays, as does Willian. Kevin failed against some small team that doesnt even play in the PL (but was English I dont remember what team it was).

[Stingray 9,441]

De Bruyne didn't have one bad match. It's what I was saying. He had three matches where he was arguably our worst player. It's hard to shine not playing regularly, but when you're that bad 3 games in a row, the coach is going to notice.Yes, I agree players need rhythm to succeed which is why I've been saying even before pre-season that you CAN have too much depth. (despite the constant "you can never have too much depth" refrain from people that want to see us buy everybody) I am a big believer in playing guys for a while to see what they can do, even through mistakes If we hadn't have signed Willian, things would be different but as it is, only Hazard and Oscar have been allowed to get into a rhythm of any sort. Mata finally started three games in a row and those have been mostly at right midfield in a system that doesn't suite him with responsibilities that hamper the best part of his game. Willian and Schurrle have both not played for long stretches. This is not a De Bruyne problem.The problem is that we have too many attacking midfielders and strikers so that none of them (except Hazard and Oscar) will likely ever get into a rhythm. .

And yes, pre-season is meaningless except for fitness, getting money, and supporters' hopes that whoever is doing well in meaningless games is suddenly going to get playing time.Mourinho had his starting XI set before pre-season and nothing short of an injury would have changed that. It's the same with every single team. Results don't matter. Performances don't matter. it's about getting into game shape.

Ok. Back to data then.

67 minutes against Hull. Played really well.

Manu 60 minutes. Bad game. Period. And benched.

Now a month of no play time. From the 26/08 to 21/09

How is that a fair shot?

He had a good shot at the beginning of the season and he failed Jose. Not a fair one? I would say Schurrle has been treated more unfairly as he delivers well every time he plays, as does Willian. Kevin failed against some small team that doesnt even play in the PL (but was English I dont remember what team it was).

Nope, not a fair one. 2 times 60 minutes: one really good, one below average ....

Anyway .....

Enter again KDB after a month of no play:

5 minutes Fullham. Ok played. Three days after: the match against Swindon which is not good and he is out.

He got a replay against the Arse for -60 minutes which was ok, but the tide was turned for Mou.

Ps: Again no. Pre season is of the essence for clubs. I dont care you think otherwise. But I have personally experienced and heard the people in charge of top clubs say the opposite. Belgium, Dutch and German clubs in the premier league. I do NOT mean heard in the papers btw. I do not know where you base that firm conviction on. It seems a bit hollow.

[Korea 734]

When people say Preseason, are they referring to Asian tour???

Where the other 2 standout players arent suiting up for Chelsea as well (Lukaku and Traore).

And when there were no ams besides Hazard....

KDB had the best opportunity to impress Mourinho. He came in healthy, he came in early and he got preseason run....

I remember Hazard came in injured and a bit late, while Oscar and mata were both in brazil. And Willian and Schurrle came in later on.....

But, I'm all for dropping Lampard for KDB or playin 4-3-3 with kdb rotating in!

[Tomo 21,733]

Ofcourse pre-season matters, it's the basis for a manager to form his squad for the season. Every player is equally motivated to do well in those games because that's the period places are up for grabs. Well for most clubs anyway.

What he means is it can't be used as a basis of how the player will do when it really counts, Moses looked good in America, now he looks out of his depth at Liverpool. Marin was our best pre season player in 2012 but whenever he played competitive games he made Wright-Phillips spell at Chelsea look like the second coming of Zola. Kezman was our best player in 2004 pre season,i could go on.

[Reddish-Blue 2,374]

I just don't see de bruyne playing for Chelsea in the long term..

He's a good player but unfortunately, we are stacked with attacking midfielders.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

What he means is it can't be used as a basis of how the player will do when it really counts, Moses looked good in America, now he looks out of his depth at Liverpool. Marin was our best pre season player in 2012 but whenever he played competitive games he made Wright-Phillips spell at Chelsea look like the second coming of Zola. Kezman was our best player in 2004 pre season,i could go on.

And beyond that, places aren't up for grabs as much as people think. Moses played really well in pre-season but was never going to play a big role with Chelsea and it was blindingly obvious. Chelsea had a bunch of more talented players at the position and Moses was poor over a full season last year, De Bruyne played well but was never going to play ahead of Mata and Oscar. If there is a position that is truly up for grabs, something can change, but in reality that is extremely rare on top clubs because you know everybody who is going to start's abilities. You have game-tape, you have scouts, you have statistics. One or two games in the middle of the season are impossible to evaluate players on. Looking good for 2 exhibition games is completely meaningless when you have so much more important data, video, etc...to go on from games that actually matter. .

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

His manager just said (in the Belgian press) Kevin wants to leave, and preferably with a transfer in stead of a loan...

[OneMoSalah 8,804]

His manager just said (in the Belgian press) Kevin wants to leave, and preferably with a transfer in stead of a loan...

I'm guessing you mean his agent? Jose didn't say anything about him wanting to leave..

Anyway was reading this [http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/jose-mourinho-fails-to-convince-bundesligabound-kevin-de-bruyne-to-stay-at-chelsea-8992875.html] and came across this quote..

De Bruyne has made just two late appearances as a substitute since then and is now looking to move on to protect his dream of playing for Belgium at the World Cup.

Lets be honest, who the hell is going to take his place given he was Belgium's best player in qualification and has no real quality competition on the right wing? If he was Courtois or Lukaku then yeah I get it as Courtois has Mignolet for competition and Lukaku has Benteke for competition to start but De Bruyne? He has next to no competition on the right wing... if he wants to go and play for Wolfsburg then well I don't know. He should have been aware he would struggle for games this season, Mourinho finds an 11 he likes and sticks with it 9 times out of 10.

[yuvala 2,167]

I'm guessing you mean his agent? Jose didn't say anything about him wanting to leave..

maybe international manager