I thought their movement and ball retention as a combination was the main factor in them killing us for large spells of the match on Saturday. It mightn't be a peak Silva in that role, but they seemed to complement each other annoyingly well to me.
Kevin De Bruyne
- Thread starter Robbie Boy
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I thought their movement and ball retention as a combination was the main factor in them killing us for large spells of the match on Saturday. It mightn't be a peak Silva in that role, but they seemed to complement each other annoyingly well to me.
That's exactly what I meant, especially when they have the ball at their feet in a 1 on 1 situation and you sense they are about to create havoc.I hated every second of it and felt like my bowels were turning to water every time he touched the ball. I agree with the sentiment though and I see where you're coming from with the Sharpe comparison although I remember Sharpe as a faster, more orthodox winger as opposed to de Bruyne's roving attacker/playmaker type. I do see similarities though with that knack for clever touches in and around the box and moreover that sense that something dangerous is going to happen every time they pick up the ball in the final third.
Terrifying as an opposing player or fan but wonderful nonetheless.
Exactly. When City were signing so many wingers and attacking forwards (albeit a number are for the future) I was thinking how the hell is Pep going to weave them all in our first team. His plan, turn Silva and De Bruyne into Xavi and Iniesta. Silva is at an age now where he needs to sit deeper and dictate play, he's excellent at it anyway, so naturally he fits into this. De Bruyne on the other hand has always played as a 10 or inside forward. However his change is even more remarkable. He's given more licence to attack than Silva and you'll often find him in the space where a 10 usually operates. But saying that he's also been positional savvy off the ball and works well in the new system. A midfield trio of Fernandinho, Silva and De Bruyne has to be the best in the league and potentially nearly as good as Bayern and Madrid's central midfield. Barca still the kings. What will be interesting is how Gundogan fits into this system and who is moved or dropped.
Kevin would like to ask Mou, por qué?
Who do you think does get dropped/ moved? I'm not sure that De Bruyne works as a wideman in a Guardiola side, and I don't think any of your midfields work without Fernandinho.
He plays in our team instead of Rooney, we win the game on Saturday
I agree, I think it's very difficult to drop any of them. Against weaker sides at home we can probably play Gundogan Silva and De Bruyne but for 75% of the matches we need Fernandinho in there, protecting the defence and dropping back. He's invaluable. I imagine Gundogan will be used in squad rotation for Silva and KDB. Silva can play on either wing, he does so for Spain, so he could fill in for Nolito for example. I think when we do this we'd have to start Sterling or Sane on the opposite wing as otherwise we'd lack pace.
Interesting problem for Pep to have.
He should have been ours.
Back when he was preparing to leave WOB it was rumored that there was agreement between KdB and Bayern over the transfer - but then Sheikh monies.
Back when he was preparing to leave WOB it was rumored that there was agreement between KdB and Bayern over the transfer - but then Sheikh monies.
He should have been ours.
Back when he was preparing to leave WOB it was rumored that there was agreement between KdB and Bayern over the transfer - but then Sheikh monies.
He had three offers when he signed for City. City and PSG both wanted him and Bayern did too but they wanted him to stay at Wolfsburg for another season. Because his wife was due to give birth soon he said he wanted to be settled somewhere before that happened so he rejected Bayern. I've always wondered what role Guardiola had in Bayern's decision to not sign him immediately.
I'm scared as to how good he'll get when he hits puberty.
He's such a strange footballer KDB, was brilliant the last day but even when he plays poorly, he usually pulls out and assist or a goal from nowhere. Sometimes he can overtry the killer balls and look like he's off but his delivery of a ball is good that he'll always get assists. I've seen him have terrible games and still come away with 2 assists or a goal and assist. He looked the one struggling the most with Pep's system until the derby.
His vision and weight of pass for that final ball really is unreal at times. If the new workrate he seems to have found under Pep sticks we have a real animal on our hands. Its something we haven't seen a hell of alot and I wonder how much of Saturday was trying to show Jose what he fecked up on.
His vision and weight of pass for that final ball really is unreal at times. If the new workrate he seems to have found under Pep sticks we have a real animal on our hands. Its something we haven't seen a hell of alot and I wonder how much of Saturday was trying to show Jose what he fecked up on.
KDB is Mataesque.
During his peak season with Chelsea, Mata had a ton of bad games, however, like KDB, still managed to pull in a goal/assist. Problem is neither dictate games like David SIlva, INiesta or THiago. So, if they ain't producing goals, they aint doing anything...
During his peak season with Chelsea, Mata had a ton of bad games, however, like KDB, still managed to pull in a goal/assist. Problem is neither dictate games like David SIlva, INiesta or THiago. So, if they ain't producing goals, they aint doing anything...
Good post. He's definitely been uninspiring under Pep, until Sunday. I hadn't thought on the extra motivation of playing against Mourinho, so perhaps that played a part in his performance.
Except that KDB is quicker than Mata and this makes a lot of difference. And I like Mata.
Guardiola had no role in it. We had an agreement with De Bruyne already. However we weren't willing to pay the price Wolfsburg was asking for. That's were you guys came in.
Of course you did. All the best players have agreements to come to United and the only ones who don't come are the ones you decided you didn't want or weren't worth it. Of course we all understand that.
Ah ok that make sense. I'd wondered if Pep had perhaps felt he wasn't needed, hence why Bayern were waiting.
I'm not a Utd fan.
Quicker? Really? Mata is quick, he isn't fast though...
Don't think KDB is quicker, but he is probably faster due to his height and longer strides.
Edit: I dont think Pep wanted KDB, however, Bayern did. Some of the buys were obvious not Pep buys like Vidal
Mata is neither quick nor fast. He lacks explosiviness and this is the main reason why he he isn't among the best players in the league. Besides, KDB is more direct and incisive in his passing.
@Ronetta must be in a competition to collect posts that spectacularly backfire. I still remember the "No one gives a shit about City" discussion.
I remember after the 0-0 at OT with city last season a majority on here laughing at KDB's performance and calling him a flat track bully because he was so invisible. New signings sometimes take that extra bit of time to get used to these kind of games and I'm sure Pogba and Mkhi will come good.
Pep is probably the best thing to happen to him. After a brief period of popularity #10's are slowly being phased out of the game again and being converted to wingers & CM's.
Still have my doubts about him succeeding to the level Guardiola wants in that position but he put in an elite performance at the weekend. Who'll be shifted out wide or dropped once Gundogan's fit/healthy is less clearcut.
Still have my doubts about him succeeding to the level Guardiola wants in that position but he put in an elite performance at the weekend. Who'll be shifted out wide or dropped once Gundogan's fit/healthy is less clearcut.
You see children, this is where overblown fan rivalry gets you
Currently my favourite player to watch in a blue shirt. His end product is phenomenal. Clever freekick but his pass to Gundogan was also excellent today.
Struggled in the first two games but has hit form. Was weak watching him play his afternoon.
His and Agueros form is worrying
Crazy and head and shoulders the best player in the league so far...
It is fecking scarcely good at the moment.
Very good player.
Best player in the league at the moment.
His weight of passing in the final 3rd is superb. Probably only 2nd best to Messi in the world currently(his passing in the final 3rd).
His weight of passing in the final 3rd is superb. Probably only 2nd best to Messi in the world currently(his passing in the final 3rd).
Why weren't we in for him?
City's form slumped when he got injured last season and now he looks scary good.
Surely someone of Jose's level would have seen his capabilities in training, seems crazy how he let him go at Chelsea.
The lads an assist machine.
The lads an assist machine.
No idea how Jose let him go at Chelsea. Fits perfectly into Pep's system, and right now the best player in the league.
If only he weren't a City player.
If only he weren't a City player.
Really should be playing for a much bigger club than City, ridiculously good player.