De Bruyne leaves for Naples
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De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Good news for us. He’s always tormented us. And just this week scored a classy goal against Connor Roberts’ wales.
He may be on the wane now. But what a player.
Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.
Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs
All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.
Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante
Similar but for a shorter period
Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.
Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.
Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.
Very hard to pick.
He may be on the wane now. But what a player.
Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.
Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs
All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.
Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante
Similar but for a shorter period
Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.
Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.
Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.
Very hard to pick.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
A class player always dominated games against us and others. City will struggle without him
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Awesome player but picking a midfield is bloody hard.
Scholes and Rodri should also be in the discussion
Scholes and Rodri should also be in the discussion
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Signed Cherki and Reijnders and still have the likes of Marmoush, Silva, Doku, Haaland, Foden etc as attacking threats.Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:42 amA class player always dominated games against us and others. City will struggle without him
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
We are fast becoming Naples source of new players-and it seems they all play very well once they have joined
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
I don’t enjoy playing City, especially away. I’ll miss De Bruyne in the PL though, he’s been an absolute joy to watch.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
What about box-to-box midfielders such as Roy Keane?CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:16 amGood news for us. He’s always tormented us. And just this week scored a classy goal against Connor Roberts’ wales.
He may be on the wane now. But what a player.
Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.
Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs
All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.
Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante
Similar but for a shorter period
Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.
Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.
Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.
Very hard to pick.
Arguably one of the best at what he did.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Absolutely. They won't struggle just because he's left.wadeswondergoal wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:53 amI wouldn’t be so sure of that. Signed Cherki and Reijnders and still have the likes of Marmoush, Silva, Doku, Haaland, Foden etc as attacking threats.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
There's eleven in a team. One of the best could have several 'average battlers' in his team so he never wins a title. That's not his fault. Gerrard should be in that elite group.CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:16 am
Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
No doubt KDB will be remembered as one of the very best.
Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.
It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!
Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.
It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Gerrard should absolutely be in the elite list of greatest midfielders in the Premier League era, his trophies:
UEFA Champions League title (2005), two FA Cups (2001, 2006), and three League Cups (2001, 2003, 2012). He also won a UEFA Cup (2001), a UEFA Super Cup (2001), and an FA Community Shield (2006)
Discounting him for not winning the Premier League is a bit like discounting Messi before he won the World Cup with Argentina, doesn't make him any less of a player.
UEFA Champions League title (2005), two FA Cups (2001, 2006), and three League Cups (2001, 2003, 2012). He also won a UEFA Cup (2001), a UEFA Super Cup (2001), and an FA Community Shield (2006)
Discounting him for not winning the Premier League is a bit like discounting Messi before he won the World Cup with Argentina, doesn't make him any less of a player.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
You could put forward the argument that they struggled when he was there nevermind leaving. He's a shadow of his former self but throughout the years dynamite of a player.ollieclarets8 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 10:59 amAbsolutely. They won't struggle just because he's left.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
He's done enough to be up there with the best for me.CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:16 amGood news for us. He’s always tormented us. And just this week scored a classy goal against Connor Roberts’ wales.
He may be on the wane now. But what a player.
Where would you rank him in all time prem midfields. Very hard to say.
Silva
Lampard
Scholes
Giggs
All consistently did it at the top like de bruyne winning title after title.
Keane
Vieira
Makele
Kante
Similar but for a shorter period
Gerrard a ‘proper’ midfielder. But for me can’t be in that elite group as he simply never won one title (never mind the multiple above). But can see why people would have him up there.
Likes maybe just below them of Robben. Nasri. Pires. Toure.
Then you have others that came here briefly and did it.
Very hard to pick.
Gerrard and Yaya Toure definitely up there for me as well as Keane. In terms of just midfielders I think this is a pretty elite group:
Lampard
Gerrard
Scholes
Keane
Viera
Yaya Toure
De Bruyne
They'd then be followed by the likes of Silva, Fabregas, Kante etc.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Ruling Gerrard out on account of not winning an EPL title smacks of just being anti-scouse to me.
He won the champions league for starters and some of those Liverpool squads around that time were dire. Without him they would have been where United and Spurs are at the moment IMO.
It's fine to say if you don't rate him but to use that as an excuse seems rather unfair. Personally I rated him above Scholes and Lampard but then I would rate Rodri and De Bruyne and Fabregas to name a few higher than him.
He won the champions league for starters and some of those Liverpool squads around that time were dire. Without him they would have been where United and Spurs are at the moment IMO.
It's fine to say if you don't rate him but to use that as an excuse seems rather unfair. Personally I rated him above Scholes and Lampard but then I would rate Rodri and De Bruyne and Fabregas to name a few higher than him.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Well yes, that goes without saying hahaAfloatinClaret wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:31 pmPicking a GOAT midfielder's easy... His name's Blake, Robbie Blake
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Best midfielder the PL has ever seen I think
Possibly the best player the PL has ever seen
Guardiola said there was only one player in the world better at passing than him, and he really is the GOAT
Always difficult to logically argue who's the best for most things
But De Bruyne is certainly up there
Possibly the best player the PL has ever seen
Guardiola said there was only one player in the world better at passing than him, and he really is the GOAT
Always difficult to logically argue who's the best for most things
But De Bruyne is certainly up there
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Does this risk ******* on McTominay's chips? Does he keep the No10 role and De Bryne sits back a little in No8?
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Agreed on Rooney and Lampard!jlup1980 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:27 pmNo doubt KDB will be remembered as one of the very best.
Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.
It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!
Lampard would be my first pick in any team never mind midfield!
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Not at all. Not discounting him. But the reality is Lampard, Scholes, De Bruyne were the main men in incredible teams. That elevates them for me.Goobs wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:16 pmRuling Gerrard out on account of not winning an EPL title smacks of just being anti-scouse to me.
He won the champions league for starters and some of those Liverpool squads around that time were dire. Without him they would have been where United and Spurs are at the moment IMO.
It's fine to say if you don't rate him but to use that as an excuse seems rather unfair. Personally I rated him above Scholes and Lampard but then I would rate Rodri and De Bruyne and Fabregas to name a few higher than him.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Fabregas is possibly worthy of inclusion in the overall list even though Arsenal didnt win the title while he was playing for them.jlup1980 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:27 pmNo doubt KDB will be remembered as one of the very best.
Personally, it's difficult to look past Lampard as arguably the best though. His consistency over such a long period was remarkable, both in goalscoring and assisting. 177 goals and 102 assists is remarkable.
It's worth noting that only 5 players have provided more than 100 assists since the PL was started - Giggs, KDB, Fabregas, Rooney, Lampard. You'll go a long way to find better midfielders than those 4. Also, it shows what a monster Rooney was in his prime. He was an all rounder of the highest calibre wasn't he. A striker with over 100 assists is insane!
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. For example I would put Le Tissier up as an legend of the English game more because he was consistently superb for a very average team.CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:25 pmNot at all. Not discounting him. But the reality is Lampard, Scholes, De Bruyne were the main men in incredible teams. That elevates them for me.
Otherwise you end up ranking someone like Nicky Butt above Jamie Redknapp (tin hat on)
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
I don’t disagree. Le Tiss was exceptional. But if you are talking best ever prem players, surely they have to have won it?Goobs wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 4:42 pmThink we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. For example I would put Le Tissier up as an legend of the English game more because he was consistently superb for a very average team.
Otherwise you end up ranking someone like Nicky Butt above Jamie Redknapp (tin hat on)
It’s not like there aren’t ample top players who have won the league.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Not for me. For me it is about the quality of the player not the team they played in.CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:25 pmI don’t disagree. Le Tiss was exceptional. But if you are talking best ever prem players, surely they have to have won it?
It’s not like there aren’t ample top players who have won the league.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Quite.CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:25 pmNot at all. Not discounting him. But the reality is Lampard, Scholes, De Bruyne were the main men in incredible teams. That elevates them for me.
Alonso made him look good, but didn't get similar plaudits bexause he was Spanish not scouse. I'd pick Alonso over him any day.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
I think it all comes down to what you want from a midfielder really. For me Gerrard had it all. Bottom box, won tackles, could pass a ball anywhere with accuracy, goal scorer from all over and a leader. Of nearly all those listed there is very few had his all round ability. Many players better in individual areas without doubt but few match his all round ability.CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:56 pmGerrard wouldn’t even get in the top two English midfielders of his generation. IMO of course.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
Le Tissier was a very good player but not the most consistent. He got away with it at Southampton.
Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
CyrilEbokiPoh wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:56 pmGerrard wouldn’t even get in the top two English midfielders of his generation. IMO of course.
What was your previous username?
Asking for a friend.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
KDB is one of the finest players I have seen at the Turf and must be in the top group of elite midfielders to have played in the PL. His boots seemed to be a few inches above the grass as he floated around the pitch.
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Re: De Bruyne leaves for Naples
All time midfields? Halley, Boyle and Watson.