During Manchester City’s pre-season campaign Kevin De Bruyne has excelled, assisting three times in an advanced midfield role. He looks integral to Pep Guardiola’s style of play and 2017/18 could be a sensational year for the Belgian if he can improve on last season’s impressive tally of 199 Fantasy Premier League points.
This article aims to look in detail at De Bruyne’s statistics and compare how he performed depending on whether he was fielded in an advanced role or not.
I am looking to see how his position in the team really impacts on his game, especially after his performance against Real Madrid this summer, which garnered considerable praise from Guardiola.
He was similarly impressive against Tottenham too, in which he was fielded behind striker Gabriel Jesus and provided an assist.
The Manchester City shape based on pre-season so far is looking like seeing De Bruyne retain an advanced midfield position, with David Silva used in a free ‘number 8’ role, protected by Fernandinho or Gundogan when he has fully recovered from a long term injury.
Forward Thinking Kevin in 2016/17
Given this I’ve had a look at the times he was fielded the furthest up the pitch to see whether he made an impact then as well.
All Gameweeks – Gameweek 8 (furthest forward positioning)
1.6– 1.3 mins per pass received
3.1 – 5.0 penalty area touches
2.4 – 8 chances
0.9 – 3 chances in box
0.2 – 1 big chances
every 28min – every 22min a chance created
7.6 – 18 crosses
All Gameweeks -Gameweek 15 (second furthest forward positioning)
1.3– 1.5 mins per pass received
3.1– 8.0 penalty area touches
2.4 – 3 chances
0.9 – 2 chances in box
0.2 – 0 big chances
every 28min – every 90 min a chance created
7.6 – 18! crosses
All Gameweeks -Gameweek 11 (third furthest forward positioning)
1.3– 1.8 mins per pass received
3.1– 6.0 penalty area touches
2.4 – 4 chances
0.9 – 1 chances in box
0.2 – 1 big chances
every 28min – every 15 min a chance created
7.6 – 13 crosses
Conclusion
As you can see De Bruyne’s underlying statistics promise for a much higher output when he plays further forward.
However, it is worth pointing out that he only recorded one set of attacking points (an assist in Gameweek 15) during the trio of games covered in this analysis.
If you believe that his impressive underlying statistics can translate into the sort of returns we have witnessed over the summer then there is a powerful argument to include the Belgian in your Gameweek 1 selection.
But if you are a glass half empty sort of manager, who believes he is destined to impress on the eye, but not in terms of Fantasy output, then a cautious approach may be advised.
For me, with City’s strikers not assured of minutes, De Bruyne would seem like an ideal route into a Manchester side that will be expected to score a host of goals next season, especially with the Belgian utilised in an advanced midfield role.
6 years, 9 months agoCErtainly impressive in terms of underlying stats - even though his output was limited.
I'm a glass half full kinda guy and agree with you that KDB should excel in a forward role.
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