Folks say Pep Guardiola has taken the individuality out of soccer. They are saying gamers play like robots now, programmed to cross, by no means dribble and by no means take a danger.
A crew with so many people, so good at what they should be good at, so individually sensible they might win a recreation on their very own.
David Silva , a magician with the ball at his toes.
Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez , two wingers who fairly actually terrified Premier League defences with their talent, dribbling and lightning fast tempo.
Ederson , extra a midfielder than a goalkeeper, able to breaking the traces to set his crew on a shocking counter assault.
Kevin de Bruyne celebrating a objective within the Champions League towards PSG in 2016 (Picture credit score: Alex Livesey/Getty Photographs)
However one participant encapsulates all of this, and extra, Kevin De Bruyne .
I believe you’d describe him because the dream midfielder. ‘We’d like an skilled supply from this nook.’ No downside, Kev’s obtained it. ‘Miss this penalty and we’re in actual bother.’ Don’t fear, Kev’s stepping up. ‘A win right here would calm the nerves heading into these previous few weeks, Liverpool are actually on our tail.’ All good, Kev’s simply scored the third quickest hat-trick in Premier League historical past, in one of many finest particular person performances seen by FourFourTwo .
He’s perhaps the very best passer of the ball the Premier League has seen, with a foot like a laser, able to manipulating the ball to go nearly wherever he instructions. He can dribble as properly, the ball sticks to his foot and doesn’t depart until instructed to.
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You wouldn’t be mistaken to additionally describe him as ambipedaled as properly. Sure that’s the phrase, and sure I did have to go looking it up. He can strike a ball together with his weaker left foot in addition to anybody can with their perceived sturdy foot. Only a chic footballer in each sense of the phrase.
Additionally, he might in all probability play anyplace. In his time at Manchester CIty he has been used all throughout the entrance line and midfield, from a deeper place now, to a false 9 , and being the focus of their assault. However, if you happen to wanted an emergency defender, he wouldn’t look misplaced, and with how Man Metropolis have performed whereas he’s been there, I might consider precise goalkeepers I’d much less want to have in objective than him.
He received the Premier League six occasions, was a part of the crew who received it 4 occasions in a row, with solely Liverpool’s outstanding 2019/20 season stopping them from profitable it six occasions consecutively.
Manchester Metropolis’s record-breaking Centurion season might by no means be matched and De Bruyne was at his scintillating finest. He performed in 37 video games, beginning 36, a private report, and registered eight objectives and 16 assists. A relentless in arguably probably the most constant facet in Premier League historical past.
In 2022/23 he was an important a part of Manchester Metropolis’s Treble-winning squad. He amassed seven objectives and 16 assists within the league however maybe his best contribution that yr was within the Champions League , the one trophy he, his teammates and the followers craved above all.
De Bruyne has outlined Metropolis over the past decade
A semi-final towards Actual Madrid stood between them and a spot within the ultimate. The primary leg on the Bernabeu was predictably tense, however with 25 minutes on the clock Manchester Metropolis trailed 1-0 after a shocking Vinicius Jr strike.
A unfastened ball into the midfield was intercepted by Rodri, earlier than good interaction between Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan noticed the ball laid again to De Bruyne who, from all of 25 yards, guided the ball with tempo and energy into the underside nook, arguably his finest objective for the membership.
The tie was degree heading to Manchester and it ended up being the European night time Metropolis followers craved for thus lengthy. They battered Actual Madrid, and I imply battered them. The Spanish facet have by no means seemed so crushed and De Bruyne was integral as soon as once more.
Bernardo Silva ’s opening objective was made however a fragile by means of ball from Belgian, and the tie was over when he delivered a free-kick for Manuel Akanji to go dwelling on 75 minutes. There was little question of his legacy after the ultimate whistle went that night time, together with his efficiency over the 2 legs pushing him to the higher echelons of Manchester Metropolis folklore.
He’s going out on a relatively bitter word nevertheless. In video games this season, resembling a crunch match towards rivals Arsenal and a key Champions League tie towards Actual Madrid, he has been left on the bench. Damage points have seen him decelerate and belief his physique much less in recent times and it may be the right time to go away.
De Bruyne’s time on the prime is over (Picture credit score: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Photographs)
He’ll go down as one among, if not the very best midfielder to grace the Premier League , however father time waits for no man, and his time on the prime of elite soccer seems to be at an finish. Iconic gamers legacy’s have nearly been fully worn out making an attempt to play on at a degree far past what their our bodies are able to and it’s not one thing anybody ever needs to see.
Nobody can begrudge him for taking this step. Go and play someplace heat, shield your legs and provides the World Cup in America one final go earlier than bowing out and crusing into the sundown.
