De Bruyne Mania - Gabriel Jesus new latest example

[AllezLesDiables]

How long is a purple patch supposed to last? 7 years? He's been performing at a high level for that long ...

FYI
KDB = goal or assist every 127 minutes
Paul Scholes = goal or assist every 255 minutes

 

[Treble]

Every now and then we see an example of what is happening with Kevin de bruyne right now. It is not the players fault and he is a fantastic player with huge potential to develop over the next few years.

However, right now the current thinking is that de bruyne is some sort of unstoppable force. "Complete player" is the buzz phrase that has attached itself to de bruyne, stemming from a couple of timely articles and praise from guardiola which culminated in a great goal yesterday.

In actual fact though, the season is 7 games old, de bruyne has been very inconsistent the last two years and has 1 goal and 3 assists this season. We are not talking about a player who has reached even close to the performance levels of many many players through the years.

It seems there is a deep need of the British media and football community to elevate a player to a status that suggests the league has the best players in the world, or some sort of insight to the game that allows them appreciate a player. We've seen this with many players, namely hazard, who amongst good form has a frankly disgraceful entire season.

I have no bad feeling towards de bruyne and other than him being a city player hope he develops into a world class player, it's good for the league and good to watch. But he just isn't there yet, sorry to spoil the party. Let's let the league reach bloody December before we start to eulogise about a player who is presently, in a good run of form. And that's before we have to start pretending guardiola has transformed him from Andros Townsend to Roy Keane redux. De bruyne always had many qualities and is developing at the expected rate for a player of his quality, at fifty five million he's not exactly a rough diamond

Apparently, he has assisted goals at the best rate in PL history. It's not a purple patch as I myself suggested above in this thread.

Best assist-per-match rates in PL history

Player Matches (50+) Assists Assists per match

Kevin De Bruyne 71 31 0.44
Eric Cantona 156 56 0.36
Mesut Ozil 121 42 0.35
Cesc Fabregas 318 107 0.34
David Silva 227 70 0.31
Reyes 69 21 0.30
David Beckham 265 80 0.30
Dennis Bergkamp 315 94 0.30
Nani 147 43 0.29
Thierry Henry 258 74 0.29


City have in their midfield two assist machines.

Didn't expect Cantona to be so high. Nani too.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/488457

 

[sebsheep]

How long is a purple patch supposed to last? 7 years? He's been performing at a high level for that long ...

FYI
KDB = goal or assist every 127 minutes
Paul Scholes = goal or assist every 255 minutes

Must be better than scholes then.

 

[fellaini's barber]

Rashford beats a Crystal Palace player and crosses a ball= As good as Mbappe. KDB being one of the best players in the league 2 seasons in a row=inconsistent,purple patch, overhyped...yep, it's a United forum alright

 

[cyberman]

KDB wasn't one of the best players in the league last year though, so there's that...

 

[SER19]

If somebody thinks Kevin de bruyne is the best player in the premier league and a genius, complete and world class, that is fine and your opinion. If you use statistics to prove it that is equally fine but I'm unwilling to enter a discussion about variables when comparing individual player stats.

As I've said , my own take is that while a fantastic player -no doubt - he has had two seasons in the league, both of which had very patchy spells and nobody was speaking of him in terms they presently are. The current over the top opinions seem to have been largely accelerated by his start to this very very early season where he has played poorly twice and missed one game.

I'm not willing to get into another discussion about the player himself, plenty of my posts in here show how I rate him. But I simply am not buying the current narrative, if he keeps it up all season I'll be the first to bump the thread and say now we can start looking at him in such terms, but right now there are players playing better than him, as there has been , comfortably, for the last two years

 

[SER19]

KDB wasn't one of the best players in the league last year though, so there's that...

This is my point, we can't revise our opinions on the last two years, based on his current form

 

[Varun]

How long is a purple patch supposed to last? 7 years? He's been performing at a high level for that long ...

FYI
KDB = goal or assist every 127 minutes
Paul Scholes = goal or assist every 255 minutes

Iniesta - 229 mins
Xavi - 223 mins

 

[Jetrooooo]

Does anybody have a video/gif of that freekick assist on I think Aguero. Not sure what match but def this season. It was a thunderbolt. @GifLord

 

[Solo Toure]

KDB is a world class player, amazing touch and technique, set piece and assist master. The partnership with D.Silva who is just as good if not better is brilliant.

I am a football fan who loves playing the sport, I try watch all teams and different leagues, let's not be biased because the guy plays for a rival.

Grow up.

 

[SwansonsTache]

Gingers like him and Scholes shouldn't be as good at football as they are. It isn't natural.

 

[ROFLUTION]

How long is a purple patch supposed to last? 7 years? He's been performing at a high level for that long ...

FYI
KDB = goal or assist every 127 minutes
Paul Scholes = goal or assist every 255 minutes

Is KDBs stats here only for the Premier League?

 

[Classical Mechanic]

If David Beckham looked like an ugly ginger lesbian.

 

[Sunny Jim]

KDB is ace, anyone who claims otherwise should see a doctor.

 

[Manchester Dan]

Enjoyed watching this. Only covers this season so far before even the shaktar and Chelsea games, so sadly excludes both of his goals. For me, it shows how important he is to us, very often the pass before the assist. Keeping him fit is important for us.

 

[Oooh_aaah_cantona]

Nope. Shooting is arguable but I'll give it to you - De Bruyne is a creative forward, though, and Pogba is a proper central midfielder, so of course De Bruyne's goalscoring should be better. Touch they're about even - they're both pretty faultless. As for creativity, De Bruyne probably has a higher percentage on through balls, one-twos and the like, but Pogba will come up with stuff that De Bruyne wouldn't even think of. Little chips over the back line with the outside of his foot that don't even look on when you watch a TV replay. Aerial banana passes. Cruyff through-balls.

Meanwhile Pogba has dribbling, flair, range of passing, unpredictability, strength, pace, aerial threat, hold-up play.

And he's just special in a way De Bruyne isn't. Sure, De Bruyne is turning into a wonderful playmaker under Pep, the ideal manager for that sort of football, in a team designed to play that type of football. But Pogba can pull off passes, tricks and moments of inspiration that De Bruyne does't have in his locker. Remember last season when he sort of ping-ponged the ball off the ground and over an opponent's head while he turned him? You'll never see anything like that with KDB, he's too by-the-book.

This season, KDB role isn't different from Pog, which is mainly to drive forward midfield, and linking play up to the attackers. You are right that Pog has that flair which KDB does not, but in all other important aspects of play, such as shooting, passing, touch, dribbling (efficiency of it, not the flair of it), workfare, speed, KDB mostly superior.

Most importantly, KDB has in-game intelligence which unfortunately Pog lacks. KDB always make the right decisions. If Pog is able to develop this, perhaps we may speak of Pog as the superior player in the future.

But right now, no chance Pog is a better player.

 

[swooshboy]

Apparently, he has assisted goals at the best rate in PL history. It's not a purple patch as I myself suggested above in this thread.

Best assist-per-match rates in PL history

Player Matches (50+) Assists Assists per match

Kevin De Bruyne 71 31 0.44
Eric Cantona 156 56 0.36
Mesut Ozil 121 42 0.35
Cesc Fabregas 318 107 0.34
David Silva 227 70 0.31
Reyes 69 21 0.30
David Beckham 265 80 0.30
Dennis Bergkamp 315 94 0.30
Nani 147 43 0.29
Thierry Henry 258 74 0.29


City have in their midfield two assist machines.

Didn't expect Cantona to be so high. Nani too.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/488457

Very pleasantly surprised to see Nani so high - still wish we hadn't sold him.

 

[simonhch]

He's obviously a superb player, but a couple of observations come to mind. (1) As good as he is, he's becoming a bit overrated. He's started this season really well, but he wasn't that great last year. Good but not top notch. And (2) he has the body of that creepy beast from Pan's Labyrinth that puts his eyes in his hands.

 

[Lash]

Gingers like him and Scholes shouldn't be as good at football as they are. It isn't natural.

. Although, I do regularly get underestimated by teams for my Saturday side who give me so much space, so swings and roundabouts. I'll take the stereotype!

 

[AgentP]

Enjoyed watching this. Only covers this season so far before even the shaktar and Chelsea games, so sadly excludes both of his goals. For me, it shows how important he is to us, very often the pass before the assist. Keeping him fit is important for us.

Amazing player. What sets him apart from other players is the accuracy and weight of his passes. His one-touch passing is one of the best I've seen. Since he is playing a bit deeper in midfield this season, we can make a direct comparison between him and Pogba. Right now, KDB looks the better player but the season is long and we'll see how both these brilliant players do and compare them at the end of the season.

 

[JohnnyKills]

He's obviously a superb player, but a couple of observations come to mind. (1) As good as he is, he's becoming a bit overrated. He's started this season really well, but he wasn't that great last year. Good but not top notch. And (2) he has the body of that creepy beast from Pan's Labyrinth that puts his eyes in his hands.

Haha he's just got a relatively normal body,unlike the average footballer who is ridiculously stacked. But great player though. Would be amazing as the 10 in our team.

 

[DannyCAFC]

Apparently, he has assisted goals at the best rate in PL history. It's not a purple patch as I myself suggested above in this thread.

Best assist-per-match rates in PL history

Player Matches (50+) Assists Assists per match

Kevin De Bruyne 71 31 0.44
Eric Cantona 156 56 0.36
Mesut Ozil 121 42 0.35
Cesc Fabregas 318 107 0.34
David Silva 227 70 0.31
Reyes 69 21 0.30
David Beckham 265 80 0.30
Dennis Bergkamp 315 94 0.30
Nani 147 43 0.29
Thierry Henry 258 74 0.29


City have in their midfield two assist machines.

Didn't expect Cantona to be so high. Nani too.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/488457

Slightly off-track but this just reminds me, how fecking good was Henry?

Not only is he I believe the player with the 2nd best goalscoring ratio in the PL (after Aguero) he's got the best assist ratio ever. Remember the 02/03 season when he scored 24 and got 20-odd assists aswell? Ridiculous.

 

[Manchester Dan]

Slightly off-track but this just reminds me, how fecking good was Henry?

Not only is he I believe the player with the 2nd best goalscoring ratio in the PL (after Aguero) he's got the best assist ratio ever. Remember the 02/03 season when he scored 24 and got 20-odd assists aswell? Ridiculous.

Think you read the list the wrong way.

De Bruyne is top, 0.44 per game.

But yes, extreme talent. If I could see past my City bias I’d say best ever, but since it’s so easy for me to point to stats for Aguero i’ll stick with him. I think Aguero gets overlooked so easily when he’s been doing it for 6 years at City now and never looked anything but a top tier player, scoring goals consistently.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Slightly off-track but this just reminds me, how fecking good was Henry?

Not only is he I believe the player with the 2nd best goalscoring ratio in the PL (after Aguero) he's got the best assist ratio ever. Remember the 02/03 season when he scored 24 and got 20-odd assists aswell? Ridiculous.

The best the PL has seen.

 

[DannyCAFC]

Think you read the list the wrong way.

De Bruyne is top, 0.44 per game.

But yes, extreme talent. If I could see past my City bias I’d say best ever, but since it’s so easy for me to point to stats for Aguero i’ll stick with him. I think Aguero gets overlooked so easily when he’s been doing it for 6 years at City now and never looked anything but a top tier player, scoring goals consistently.

My bad, I thought I was in the Nani thread for some reason and so thought the 'best assists ratio ever' applied to him and saw Henry at the same rate so went with that.

I personally think Henry had a bit more to his game overall in his ability to create for others, beat defenders and play wider, but Aguero is the ultimate penalty box predator, reminds a bit of Romario in a way. Can't argue with the stats, he's definitely up there with the best of them to have ever played in the PL, especially when you consider all the niggling injuries he's through his career, he's done well to come back from all the lay-offs and instantly find his best form.

 

[Thunderhead]

think this is one of the stats people have been wanting for a few years 'sequencing' so involvement in a move that becomes a goal or shot

 

[Lash]

think this is one of the stats people have been wanting for a few years 'sequencing' so involvement in a move that becomes a goal or shot

Redmond astounds me there, he is such a B-TEC sterling. Fair enough though, can't argue he's got his effect

 

[roonster09]

think this is one of the stats people have been wanting for a few years 'sequencing' so involvement in a move that becomes a goal or shot

I feel this is a nothing stat. Side ways passing merchants are also involved without adding much.

 

[Thunderhead]

I feel this is a nothing stat. Side ways passing merchants are also involved without adding much.

sequence ending in a goal is still a decent one, if sideways passing merchants are on that list they're doing something right

 

[RedRonaldo]

Apparently, he has assisted goals at the best rate in PL history. It's not a purple patch as I myself suggested above in this thread.

Best assist-per-match rates in PL history

Player Matches (50+) Assists Assists per match

Kevin De Bruyne 71 31 0.44
Eric Cantona 156 56 0.36
Mesut Ozil 121 42 0.35
Cesc Fabregas 318 107 0.34
David Silva 227 70 0.31
Reyes 69 21 0.30
David Beckham 265 80 0.30
Dennis Bergkamp 315 94 0.30
Nani 147 43 0.29
Thierry Henry 258 74 0.29


City have in their midfield two assist machines.

Didn't expect Cantona to be so high. Nani too.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/488457

Cantona was king of assist, his visionary through ball and back heel pass is second to none.

 

[DWelbz19]

Absolutely tearing it up against Stoke right now

 

[SwansonsTache]

I'd say the hype is warranted, absolutely tremendous playmaker and cm.

 

[Sammyjunn]

He is exactly what Pogba is supposed to be, hope Pogba studies him. Efficient usage of his talent, passing and creavity.

 

[Manchester Dan]

His passing and vision is just outstanding.

 

[AgentP]

His passing and vision is just outstanding.

Best midfielder in the world since this season began.

 

[SER19]

Not much point bumping it every time he does something. Threads point was not against de bruynes quality, made it clear from outset. And even if he rattles in a hat trick today the point stands. As I've said repeatedly, if he does it long term I'll be the first to say it, but won't be giving the media any pats on the back given how often they do this

 

[DWelbz19]

Not much point bumping it every time he does something. Threads point was not against de bruynes quality, made it clear from outset. And even if he rattles in a hat trick today the point stands. As I've said repeatedly, if he does it long term I'll be the first to say it, but won't be giving the media any pats on the back given how often they do this

He's literally been doing it for about 3 seasons now. The thread was stupid, no matter how you try to defend it.

 

[SER19]

He's literally been doing it for about 3 seasons now. The thread was stupid, no matter how you try to defend it.

No he hasn't, and I'm not defending the thread it's the same point I've made throughout. If you think he's been performing at this level for three seasons I can only assume you chose your username when Danny welbeck was the best finisher in the league

 

[PedroMendez]

Anyone who saw what he did for Wolfsburg knew that he is the kind of player who can stand out in a top team.
His ability goes hand in hand with an incredible desire/attitude to win games.

 

[SER19]

Anyone who saw what he did for Wolfsburg knew that he is the kind of player who can stand out in a top team.
His ability goes hand in hand with an incredible desire/attitude to win games.

Yep. Most people agree on this.