Kevin De Bruyne

[anchan1989]

Since we're just pulling names out of a hat,

Memphis Depay
Santa Claus
Cristiano rimaldo

Damn it. Always loved Santa!
Depay is good but 21 and was performing in Holland. We talked with him and went on to bigger targets imo.

I disagree. Bayern have equal pulling power as City in this day and age.
City are in the PL and pay better. Simple as that.
If City make a big push for him, they will get him. In fact, I bet he is a City player by the first game of the season.

No. Look at the CL performances, the coach and the teams. Bayern has more pulling power.
Our wages are on the highest levels.
The Bundesliga is also not so bad.

Bayern have never spent more than 40m euros on a player.
For a club that's supposedly this mammoth money laden force they sure don't act like it.
All signs point to Bayern looking elsewhere because they refuse to get into bidding wars with other clubs, or maybe the shareholders hold them back

Or, a crazy idea I know, we just use our money smarter.

 

[Nighteyes]

I agree but that doesn't really negate what I said earlier. City are an artificial creation of exogenous money who are buying their way to success. They are operating on a completely gelatinous foundation in that once the Arabs get bored and move on, City, in the absence of revenue, will sink back to their normal mid table place in the Prem pecking order.

That will never happen. They are here to stay, like it or not.

 

[Polite Poster]

I agree but that doesn't really negate what I said earlier. City are an artificial creation of exogenous money who are buying their way to success. They are operating on a completely gelatinous foundation in that once the Arabs get bored and move on, City, in the absence of revenue, will sink back to their normal mid table place in the Prem pecking order.

I suggest you study United's history. Plus you clearly have no idea of what is being built at City. If you are waiting for us to sink back to where you would like to see us you are going to be waiting a very long time

 

[Raoul]

I suggest you study United's history. Plus you clearly have no idea of what is being built at City. If you are waiting for us to sink back to where you would like to see us you are going to be waiting a very long time

Assuming you were sold to a non-sugar daddy owner tomorrow, where would you get the funds to sustain being able to buy the players to remain in the top 4 (much less win the league) ? There's no global brand that the likes of United, Madrid, Barca etc can rely on to buy shirts, and no long term history (as perceived by the global football fan base) where random top players would "dream" of playing for Manchester City. It's quite obvious what would happen.

 

[Raoul]

That will never happen. They are here to stay, like it or not.

As long as they are bankrolled with oil money. If not, then its back to the middle of the pack.

 

[cyberman]

Damn it. Always loved Santa!
Depay is good but 21 and was performing in Holland. We talked with him and went on to bigger targets imo.



No. Look at the CL performances, the coach and the teams. Bayern has more pulling power.
Our wages are on the highest levels.
The Bundesliga is also not so bad.



Or, a crazy idea I know, we just use our money smarter.

I didn't say it wasn't smart. It's redundant saying how rich you are when you don't spend the big money.
We can afford this and that yet have the transfer budget of Spurs / Liverpool

 

[RedStarUnited]

I dont know why, but he doesnt excite me at all. Im not even worried that City might get him either.

 

[Kraftwerker]

Damn it. Always loved Santa!
Depay is good but 21 and was performing in Holland. We talked with him and went on to bigger targets imo.



No. Look at the CL performances, the coach and the teams. Bayern has more pulling power.
Our wages are on the highest levels.
The Bundesliga is also not so bad.



Or, a crazy idea I know, we just use our money smarter.

It's not Bayern's pulling power which is the problem, it's the Bundesliga.

Top players should want to test themselves in Spain and England now.

Bayern are 1/20 to win next year's Bundesliga with some bookmakers. That's not a competitive league, it's a season long exhibition with the champions decided before it's begun. Top players should aspire to more.

 

[Sarni]

As long as they are bankrolled with oil money. If not, then its back to the middle of the pack.

Not really. They've managed to increase their revenue significantly since 2008 when Arabs arrived and are a well known brand at the moment. Obviously they'd feel the hit if the money stopped coming in but they'll very likely become self-sufficient within the next 5 years. Look at Chelsea, everyone thought they'd be skint without Roman and he's not putting in any money at the minute yet they're still going very strong and can spend a lot within their means.

 

[Raoul]

Not really. They've managed to increase their revenue significantly since 2008 when Arabs arrived and are a well known brand at the moment. Obviously they'd feel the hit if the money stopped coming in but they'll very likely become self-sufficient within the next 5 years. Look at Chelsea, everyone thought they'd be skint without Roman and he's not putting in any money at the minute yet they're still going very strong and can spend a lot within their means.

Being a well known brand is not the same as being a brand like United, Bayern, Juventus, Madrid, Barca etc. They have improved their image only through a massive infusion of oil money that was used to buy top players. If they were sold to a normal English owner tomorrow, they would unquestionably go back to where they were two owners ago.

 

[Sarni]

Being a well known brand is not the same as being a brand like United, Bayern, Juventus, Madrid, Barca etc. They have improved their image only through a massive infusion of oil money that was used to buy top players. If they were sold to a normal English owner tomorrow, they would unquestionably go back to where they were two owners ago.

They won't, the success of the past 4-5 years and money invested in facilities will ensure that they do not go into mid-table mediocrity but that's a discussion for another thread.

 

[Raoul]

They won't, the success of the past 4-5 years and money invested in facilities will ensure that they do not go into mid-table mediocrity but that's a discussion for another thread.

Again, that won't matter if they can't throw inflated transfer fees and wages at players and other clubs. If they don't have the money to draw top players in, they will naturally sink back to where they came from.

 

[Sarni]

Again, that won't matter if they can't throw inflated transfer fees and wages at players and other clubs. If they don't have the money to draw top players in, they will naturally sink back to where they came from.

Chelsea don't throw insane money and high wages and players and are still able to maintain their status.

 

[Raoul]

Chelsea don't throw insane money and high wages and players and are still able to maintain their status.

They are still bankrolled by the same owner who funded their rise a decade ago and also have the best manager in football. Remove both of those and they wouldn't fare so well.

 

[Sarni]

They are still bankrolled by the same owner who funded their rise a decade ago and also have the best manager in football. Remove both of those and they wouldn't fare so well.

What? They don't get money from Abramovich. They generate their own money and actually operate on (or near) a profit.

 

[Raoul]

What? They don't get money from Abramovich. They generate their own money and actually operate on (or near) a profit.

They are still a Russian oligarch owned, sugar daddy club who have Abramovich and Mourinho to fall back on. Put Ken Bates back in charge and things will go south in a hurry, trust me.

 

[Sarni]

They are still a Russian oligarch owned, sugar daddy club who have Abramovich and Mourinho to fall back on. Put Ken Bates back in charge and things will go south in a hurry, trust me.

I don't really understand what you're trying to suggest, that they could not operate without Abramovich money now? They could and they actually do. All the money they spend is generated through standard channels - matchday revenue, sponsorship deals, merchandise, football competitions etc.

 

[Raoul]

I don't really understand what you're trying to suggest, that they could not operate without Abramovich money now? They could and they actually do. All the money they spend is generated through standard channels - matchday revenue, sponsorship deals, merchandise, football competitions etc.

Pretty much. I doubt they would be able to sustain their growth or revenue under normal ownership, nor do I think Mourinho would be there. They are operating within a bubble that will burst at some point in the near future.

 

[Sarni]

Pretty much. I doubt they would be able to sustain their growth or revenue under normal ownership, nor do I think Mourinho would be there. They are operating within a bubble that will burst at some point in the near future.

Abramovich is a competent and reasonable owner, at least it appears that he is, but there are plenty of different people who could probably run that club equally well and they don't have to be extremely rich. Chelsea bankroll themselves, they do not need sugar daddy money anymore. The sort of transfers they're doing now and the wages they pay would still be there without Abramovich because they have the money to operate at this level. They're not so new really, Abramovich came in 2003 so the majority of fans born after 1990 will have had them as a top club for pretty much the entire time their football interest has taken place. Even for fans born between 1980 and 1990 they ought to be considered as one of the big boys - European trophy in the 90s then followed by a period of domestic strength and eventual CL triumph in 2000s. Their fanbase should be in top 20 easily and probably even top 10 - Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, Man Utd and possibly Juventus are the only five clubs who are obviously bigger than them. Two Milan clubs have disappeared, Atletico are not at the same level and Liverpool/Arsenal they compete with. Financially it will be the same except Juventus are definitely going to be behind them so it's only 4 teams who should obviously generate more money at all times.

 

[Blackwidow]

The thread is hijacked....

About the topic... Bild has sources in Wolfsburg that they would try to get Draxler if deBruyne would leave...

 

[RobinLFC]

The thread is hijacked....

About the topic... Bild has sources in Wolfsburg that they would try to get Draxler if deBruyne would leave...

A lot of tabloids are reporting that Draxler is close to a Juventus move though. And I thought Draxler was more of a winger than an attacking midfielder?

 

[Michael T]

Abramovich is a competent and reasonable owner, at least it appears that he is, but there are plenty of different people who could probably run that club equally well and they don't have to be extremely rich. Chelsea bankroll themselves, they do not need sugar daddy money anymore. The sort of transfers they're doing now and the wages they pay would still be there without Abramovich because they have the money to operate at this level. They're not so new really, Abramovich came in 2003 so the majority of fans born after 1990 will have had them as a top club for pretty much the entire time their football interest has taken place. Even for fans born between 1980 and 1990 they ought to be considered as one of the big boys - European trophy in the 90s then followed by a period of domestic strength and eventual CL triumph in 2000s. Their fanbase should be in top 20 easily and probably even top 10 - Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, Man Utd and possibly Juventus are the only five clubs who are obviously bigger than them. Two Milan clubs have disappeared, Atletico are not at the same level and Liverpool/Arsenal they compete with. Financially it will be the same except Juventus are definitely going to be behind them so it's only 4 teams who should obviously generate more money at all times.

I was under the assumption that Chelsea FC actually owe more than 3/4 of a billion (£) in outstanding loans - although on favourable terms - at least for the moment.

 

[Blackwidow]

A lot of tabloids are reporting that Draxler is close to a Juventus move though. And I thought Draxler was more of a winger than an attacking midfielder?

No. Actually he likes to play as a no. 10. But with Kevin Prince Boateng etc. playing there he was shifted onto the wing.

Yes. In that case Wolfsburg would try to go for him, too.

 

[WeePat]

I was under the assumption that Chelsea FC actually owe more than 3/4 of a billion (£) in outstanding loans - although on favourable terms - at least for the moment.

Fordstam owes Abramovich almost a billion pounds. Abramovich owns Fordstam. By the looks of it, Abramovich transferred any debts Chelsea owe him onto himself, so as the bloke in the tweets says, Abramovich, as the owner of Fordstam, owes himself almost a billion pounds.

 

[Sarni]

I was under the assumption that Chelsea FC actually owe more than 3/4 of a billion (£) in outstanding loans - although on favourable terms - at least for the moment.

Yes indeed but they owe it to Abramovich and the assumption is that he won't really ask them to return this money. I've only been refering to the fact that on a year to year operating basis they don't need his help anymore, I won't have been arguing that they never needed his help because that'd be absurd.

 

[anchan1989]

It's not Bayern's pulling power which is the problem, it's the Bundesliga.

Top players should want to test themselves in Spain and England now.

Bayern are 1/20 to win next year's Bundesliga with some bookmakers. That's not a competitive league, it's a season long exhibition with the champions decided before it's begun. Top players should aspire to more.

Can you get a new story. When United won the PL pretty much every year no one complained among United fans how weak the league was, I assume.
We talk about 3 dominant years. Not 7. We stand above the PL in the UEFA rankings. Have Wolfsburg and Dortmund, who won most of the cups since 2012.
And even if you win the leaque like Bayern did the last 3 years you have to go out and play in a top 3 league. Every week. Against very good players.
Where is the difference to the PL? And please dont come with the "THE PL IS SO FAST" sh**. Explain to me how the challenges are SO much different in 2 of the 3 top global leagues.
You cant.

 

[Cassidy]

Can you get a new story. When United won the PL pretty much every year no one complained among United fans how weak the league was, I assume.
We talk about 3 dominant years. Not 7. We stand above the PL in the UEFA rankings. Have Wolfsburg and Dortmund, who won most of the cups since 2012.
And even if you win the leaque like Bayern did the last 3 years you have to go out and play in a top 3 league. Every week. Against very good players.
Where is the difference to the PL? And please dont come with the "THE PL IS SO FAST" sh**. Explain to me how the challenges are SO much different in 2 of the 3 top global leagues.
You cant.

Its the media and the EPL publicity campaign, they spin a good one. Have most convinced in the UK that its the best bar none so we can fork out silly money for Sky and BT subscriptions. Don't believe the hype!

Its a fantastic league, but so is La Liga and the Bundesliga too

 

[WeePat]

Its the media and the EPL publicity campaign, they spin a good one. Have most convinced in the UK that its the best bar none so we can fork out silly money for Sky and BT subscriptions. Don't believe the hype!

Its a fantastic league, but so is La Liga and the Bundesliga too

I don't think there is a problem with English fans thinking the PL is the best. La Liga fans think the same about their league and no-one calls them out on it. In fact, in my experience, La Liga fans are far more dismissive towards English football than English fans are towards anyone else.

 

[PedroMendez]

I don't think there is a problem with English fans thinking the PL is the best. La Liga fans think the same about their league and no-one calls them out on it. In fact, in my experience, La Liga fans are far more dismissive towards English football than English fans are towards anyone else.

well....la liga is clearly superior at the moment, so.....

 

[Cassidy]

I don't think there is a problem with English fans thinking the PL is the best. La Liga fans think the same about their league and no-one calls them out on it. In fact, in my experience, La Liga fans are far more dismissive towards English football than English fans are towards anyone else.

Never said that were was, was simply responding to the person to give an explanation as to why it happens. The media campaign around the EPL is very strong, and that is because Sky and BT stand to make a hell of a lot of money from it.
Just look at the EPL run in this season, they actually attempted to hype up the fact that United or Arsenal had a chance at the league prior to the United vs Chelsea game, and many bought into it.

Again nothing wrong with fans thinking their league is better, just highlighting some of the reasons for it

 

[WeePat]

well....la liga is clearly superior at the moment, so.....

See ....

 

[WeePat]

Never said that were was, was simply responding to the person to give an explanation as to why it happens. The media campaign around the EPL is very strong, and that is because Sky and BT stand to make a hell of a lot of money from it.
Just look at the EPL run in this season, they actually attempted to hype up the fact that United or Arsenal had a chance at the league prior to the United vs Chelsea game, and many bought into it.

Again nothing wrong with fans thinking their league is better, just highlighting some of the reasons for it

You're selling English fans short here. People can think for themselves. They don't need TV companies telling them the PL is the best before they believe the PL is the best. Some might, but the vast majority watch the football and form their own opinions. That is the fans though. As for the PL pundits, well they are are paid to say it is the best league in the world. It is their job. Thierry Henry in the recent Sky advert for instance. He may or may not actually believe it, but if he's paid to say the PL is the best in the world, he'll say it a million times.

 

[cyberman]

well....la liga is clearly superior at the moment, so.....

Even when the PL were dominating Europe all you heard was how it was only the top 4 etc..
English football has always been run down, even the excitement the league has is downgraded as good marketing etc.
Never understood the marketing crap. El Classico is the definition of marketing and hype yet Spain still lag behind England in the global scale.
But this conversation doesn't really belong here and Ive typed too much not to post lol

 

[Cassidy]

You're selling English fans short here. People can think for themselves. They don't need TV companies telling them the PL is the best before they believe the PL is the best. Some might, but the vast majority watch the football and form their own opinions. That is the fans though. As for the PL pundits, well they are are paid to say it is the best league in the world. It is their job. Thierry Henry in the recent Sky advert for instance. He may or may not actually believe it, but if he's paid to say the PL is the best in the world, he'll say it a million times.

I have had countless conversations with fans who say the EPL is the best and don't even watch La Liga or the Bundesliga. So for that reason, your point there is null and void.

Of course many can think for themselves, I for one am a fan of the EPL, of course mainly because I grew up in England and the team I support is there.

Objectively though I don't see a huge difference between the top leagues. They all have varied strengths and weaknesses.

Some people will obvioulsy have a different opinion I don't doubt that.

However if you think the avearge football fan is educated about the game you are mistaken.
You only have to see how some will claim Clyne is a much better player than Darmian to know that, or that Sterling is the best player of his age in the world to know that

 

[francobaresi]

Are we still in the De Bruyne thread...?

 

[Massive Spanner]

Are we still in the De Bruyne thread...?

Indeed.

Anyone who wants to discuss the above, please go away and do so in the FF.

 

[WeePat]

Indeed.

Anyone who wants to discuss the above, please go away and do so in the FF.

Apologies.

To get it back on track, here are Mourinho's latest comments on De Bruyne.

I wanted to keep him. And he told me it was not in his personality to be competing for a position in the team. He needed a team where he knows he can play every game. He needs to know that he is important. He did not want a team where he thinks am I playing or not? He needs that trust, he needs that quality. He needs that security. So I was not happy when he left.

He didn't tell me he couldn't handle the pressure. He told me he wanted to play every weekend. I told him this is Chelsea, you are very young, you have Eden Hazard, you have Mata, you have Willian, you have Schürrle, and I cannot promise you that. And the first game of the season against Hull City he played. For the second game against Manchester United, he played. The third game of the season was the Super Cup in Prague, I decided not to play him. For the fourth match, in the Premier League, he was on the bench. And he was not happy. He told me he was not happy."

"He was not training very well and he was saying: ‘I can't give you more. This is just my way.' So yes, I accept that if this is his mentality and it's his choice to go, it is better for Chelsea to make a good deal. Chelsea made a good deal and he was happy to go and I am happy because the kid is a good kid. And I am happy for him."

"Players have different circumstances. We sold him, made our money and it was fantastic because we bought him cheap and sold him for a fantastic price. And now Wolfsburg, if they make a fantastic deal, that is good for them."

 

[Raoul]

Stop it you thread derailers.

 

[KingMinger22]

I think he will end up at City. They will have a terrifying attack.

The PL is the best because it's about three times richer than the nearest other league. It's thay simple. Here in America, the PL is on national TV and watched by a lot of people. No one watched La Liga unless it's El Classico.

It's going to be a fantastic title race this year.

 

[DWelbz19]

Apologies.

To get it back on track, here are Mourinho's latest comments on De Bruyne.

He's bricking it.