Kevin De Bruyne: The Moments That Made Them 

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1:08Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker, in our latest episode of Premier League Greats, the moments that made them. We're looking back at a player that has graced our football pitches for the last decade or so, until last season, the great Kevin De Bruyne. Wow. Now we're cooking. You didn't quite overlap with De Bruyne, did you? Oh, yes. A little bit? Just a little bit. Did you? Mm-hmm. Villa, City. Oh, you played against him? Yes. I mean, overlap in terms of... I mean, in terms of at Manchester City. No, yes, correct, yes. You played against him?

1:45Yeah, I played against him. Clean sheet. Yeah, just so you know. Clean sheet. Man of the match. Just saying. I'm glad you pointed that out. No, I was. You know, when I'm at home and you can see the background, you can see it there. Man of the match. Aston Villa Man City.

2:04Gary Lineker:I think he's one of the best I've sat and enjoyed watching ever in football. Ever. I like it. because I always used to think he is probably the one guy that I would love to have played with in the same team oh yeah oh his passes his crossing is just everything about him I think numbers would have improved I wonder when it would get to that do you would you disagree with that no no I would totally agree with that as a centre forward he's I think what you're saying he would create so many opportunities dreamland for you I used to say the same because you often get that don't you get asked which player in the modern era would you most like to have played with and I used to say for many many many many years David Beckham because of his incredible delivery into the box and his passing range but I would also put in that that bracket Kevin De Bruyne Brilliant I mean just when you made a run we're a selfish lockmiker we think about what you know how they can help yeah just when you made that run in behind or across the 18 yard box six yard whatever he had that he just had that ability to whip that ball in with Pearce and find the forward what's his best position because he's more of a hybrid yeah wasn't he yeah best position that's a good question what is his position he could play any floater floater floater yeah he could play anywhere yeah I mean he played quite a lot wide on the right hand side because of the delivery but he also played in a 10 role quite frequently he could also play in a more orthodox midfield role.

3:45Where do you think he's at his absolute best? I, as a player, would like him to be that, certainly to the right. Right. Centre-right. Centre-right. Centre-right. Centre-right. Yeah. His delivery, though. Come on. Yeah. All sorts. Not the lifted. I like the driven one. You know? Across the floor, bending for your runs. You've just got so many goals. Yeah. I just wonder how Chelsea missed the talent that he had. Obviously, he was there as a youngster, and then he had to go, what was Wolfsburg, wasn't it? Before he eventually came back and was signed by Manchester City. But I think Mourinho's talked about it and said it's one of his regrets.

4:25Gary Lineker:Wasn't there a lot of discussion about his price tag as well when he came back in? Yeah, well, yeah. He said, well, I haven't paid too much for him. But then you think, oh, my God, what a bargain that turned out to be. It was a lot of money at the time, though, wasn't it? Yeah, 55 million. so there's a lot of money but I'll go back to the question how did Chelsea not see it I mean there are late developers but you can see someone when they've got that kind of talent can't you yeah but there's Salah as well it's happened yeah Salah it's happened I think it's about timing isn't it sometimes it's just not the right time but I agree your point he must have seen his quality his vision his passing he just didn't train no one's a good player in training, don't you?

5:08Just the way they move with the ball. But maybe because he's quite shy, maybe they didn't see the personality at the time. He's very reserved. Yeah, I've done. He's very humble. I don't think I've ever met him, actually. Yeah, on the pitch, he says his mind, but off the pitch, he's just very straight. Yeah, he's very competitive. Yeah, he's very competitive. Because he's got a bit of a, he's got a bit of a sign to him. Yeah, I loved everything about him at City. He's a proper legend, do you? Proper legend there. Yeah. This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off, a quick pre-match warm-up from Fuse.

5:43One question, four options, and two contestants. Today's a little question for you, lads. Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in Champions League history? Is it A, Iker Casillas? B, Gianluigi Buffon? C, Manuel Neuer? or D, Edwin van der Zahre?

6:07Gary Lineker:Manuel Neuer for me. You know what? I'm going to be different. I'm going to go Buffon. You're going to go Buffon? Yeah. Well, Micah, that was not correct. The answer was one, Manuel Neuer. Yes. All right, role play. Yes. The best sides don't give things away. It should be the same with your energy. Get more than just lower rates at fuseenergy.com slash football. Use the code FOOTBALL or uppercase when you sign up. Save around£200 on your energy bill and get the chance to ask us your football questions on the pod. Full terms and conditions at fuseenergy.com. People always ask the question, David Silva or De Bruyne.

6:50I always say David Silva just because I played with him. But De Bruyne, I think, in terms of the one in the Champions League, didn't they, when he was there. I don't know, he was injured but they just got over the line and he made the difference in terms of the season. Not talking about the Champions League final but the season. He went back to Stanford Bridge, didn't he? What in, it was 30th September in 2017 and he scored the only goal of the game. De Bruyne. Oh, belter. Absolute belter from Kevin De Bruyne. There is no stopping that. And he was quicker than people give him credit for. He had that burst, didn't he?

7:32Acceleration. Nice, lovely one too. Great finish now. Cross the keeper. Look at his shooting technique though. Left peg. Do you think he would have enjoyed that particularly? Definitely.

7:46Gary Lineker:Yeah. Definitely, guy. You can tell with his celebration. You know, you get these, some people who go back to their former club and give it one of them, not celebrating, I'm not even laughing. Most players do that, don't they? I don't get that rubbish social media though isn't it keeping everyone happy really that's what it is yeah I understand if you've perhaps been at a club for 12 years 50 and then have a little spell at somewhere else at the end and I suppose it first happened with Dennis Law I don't know whether you remember that no yeah he played all his career really at Manchester United didn't he he was part of that incredible obviously with Best and Charlton and he ended up going to Manchester City right at the end of his career and he did a back heel that sent Manchester United down and he just you could see he was like oh no in a way I'm pretty sure that's exactly what happened so I understand it under those circumstances and I think that's probably where it originally came from probably yeah but then it becomes now some player plays for a club for like three weeks goes somewhere scores against a statement on Instagram do you think it's because they're worried about the social media That's exactly what it is.

8:59100%. Did you play against any of your old teams?

9:02Gary Lineker:When I played for Blackburn, obviously then it wasn't my old team. It was a team that I supported. So I came on for Blackburn coming back from my cruciate ligament injury. That was my first goal back scoring for Blackburn at St. James' Park at the Gallagher. No. Yeah, and went mad. Did you? Did you? Yeah, I was away. Oh, I'm up going mad. And then obviously... It wasn't really a thing then though, that stuff, was it? I don't think so, no. But then I obviously signed for Newcastle and then scored against Blackburn. Did you celebrate? Mad. Did you? Crazy. Why not? I like that. Fair play. I mean, I can guarantee you now, all these people that do that inside, they're like, yeah.

9:41It's a bit different for you, though, because you didn't get let go, did you? When you scored for Blackburn at the Gallagate end, you hadn't previously played?

9:50Gary Lineker:Not there, no, yeah. I'd done the same even when I scored for Newcastle against Southampton or Blackburn against Southampton. are still always celebrated. I just think, why not? You're doing your job. And I look at the team that you're playing for currently who actually want you to score and want you to celebrate, and then, yeah, why wouldn't you? Absolutely. He's been very much part of the period of success that Manchester City have enjoyed, of the Pep era, predominantly. And he wasn't obviously involved in the first, the Aguero game, but he was very much involved. I mean, it's mad that Manchester City have done this twice and to come from behind on the last day of the season.

10:31This time it was at Villa and he did have the all-important assist for Gundogan.

10:38In goes De Bruyne. Kevin De Bruyne! Gundogan! Gundogan came on, didn't he? It's good. That was his second goal. But a brilliant bit of play from Kevin De Bruyne. I mean, cross come shot. Oh, hang on. Let's have a little nod. Let's have a look. It breaks to him here. This first touch is perfect. That is a cross. No, cross. Do you? It's got to cross. Definite cross there. Definite cross. I think otherwise, from that angle, you've got to try and hit it hard with the outside of your foot. How was that the game then? Stadium erupted. Yeah. Not like the Aguero moment. They went two down though, didn't they?

11:15Yeah. I mean, it wasn't. The Aguero moment was mad because 2-1 down in injury time. You don't turn that around. But this one was... You know what? They were 2-0 down. You know what's mad though? You know when you've played for City? No. I played for Leicester City. And you know they've got that phrase, fight to the end. When Man City went down, I knew they was going to win. I was just waiting for that moment. Of course. I was in the offensive match of the day and I thought the same, to be honest. Did you? He just felt it. He just felt it. Something was going to happen. I didn't feel it in the Aguero moment.

11:47I thought it was done and dusted. I thought it would score when Dzeko did around that time, but I thought it was going to be too late. putt in that game I just knew they would get it done yeah it was the 81st minute it wasn't quite the dramatic but it was still 2-0 down yeah but you could just feel it yeah you could just feel it do you think Pep brought out the absolute best in Kevin De Bruyne I mean I think the two of them together do you think he was the leader of that Pep team creatively yeah wasn't he on the pitch yeah then you got the likes of David Silva Van Son Company yeah

12:22Gary Lineker:he was the leader with the ball, definitely. Vincent was the leader of the dressing room. Yeah. But then on the pitch, Kevin De Bruyne was the one who makes things happen. All the time. I would definitely have him in my all-time Premier League. Would you? 11. In which position? All-time. I think on the right of midfield. Ahead of Salah? Because of the way we're playing. What formation are we playing? No, I play 4-4-2. 4-3-3. 4-3-3. So he would be ahead of Salah on that right for you? He would, for selfish reasons, you play you definitely want to play up front that's a very good point he'd play in one of the midfield positions wouldn't he he'd play in one of the midfield positions so Gerrard would be in there so I'm just thinking you've got Gerrard Lampard Keane Scholes Vieira it's impossible Gerrard's got to be that's why I'm saying I would definitely have him in my 11 in terms of creativity on the ball all of those things I would definitely have him in Gerrard's definitely him De Bruyne I think he'd play him oh just play up midfield It's one more, isn't it?

13:23It's one more. Yeah. Vieira, Keno. Yeah. Lampard. Scholes? Paul Scholes? But, yeah, would you? Head of Beckham? I played with David from England, didn't I?

13:35Gary Lineker:So I appreciate how brilliant he was in terms of... I don't know. I think with those balls and crosses, he might even have been better at David than that. I think David had the bendy high one, but everything else in terms of through balls and the low cross I think that was Kevin De Bruyne so I think I can't say more range I can't because when David Beckham went to PSG he was playing midfield and some of the passes he was playing in there but in terms of the Premier League I would have to agree with you in terms of the assistance yeah this episode is brought to you by Microsoft 365 Copilot guys where would we be without our teammates?

14:22Who's your favourite teammate?

14:23Gary Lineker:Mine would have to be Teddy Sheringham Gaz with England. It's just one of those partnerships that worked, that clicked. For you, Micah, Pablo Zamoleta by any chance? I don't know he was going to say that. I would have to pick Joe Hart just on the pitch. If I made a mistake, I just knew he had my back. I'm sure you kept him very busy, Micah. I would probably go probably Peter Beardsley who I had amazing partnership with England. I think I was about a goal again when he played. Well, Microsoft 365 Copilot is that level of support off the pitch. It's your AI assistant for work built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps you use, helping you quickly write, analyze, create, and summarize.

15:10Learn more at microsoft.com slash m365copilot. this episode is brought to you by whoop in the modern game of course there are a lot more games and that feeling of being slightly off by monday and that's how it shows up not as an injury it's just fatigue creeping in off the pitch everyday life stacks up to work travel late nights early starts whoop helps you see how sleep recovery and stress are impacting your overall health over time It's like a health scout working quietly in the background. No screed, no constant pings, just deeper insight into your health when you actually need it. WHOOP makes it easier to see what's helping you stay well and what's taking more out of you, so you can build habits that actually last.

16:00Gary Lineker:It's about keeping yourself steady over the long run. Consistency beats intensity every time. If you want to understand your health better and how your daily habits impact you over time, head to join.whoop.com slash T-R-I-F to get started with Whoop.

16:45Here we go with the customary segment to the goal against Newcastle.

16:49Gary Lineker:Newcastle again. He changed his ball. Did you see it here? How come everyone enjoys playing against Newcastle so much? I think it's quite a decent volley. Oh, I remember this one. To Breida. Oh, that is outstanding. There's always something about a goal where it's struck fiercely and hits the underside of the bar. bounces down and then goes in the net I think there's something special about that technique's ridiculous I don't think I ever scored a goal like that where I hit the bar and bounced down behind the line and not with a screamer touch focus precision technique what a volley that is

17:34what

17:36Gary Lineker:the volley Breathe Michael, breathe What a volley that is Alright let's go again, let's see it again You see You know that it's a half isn't it It's not a half volley It's a shot It's a shot, it's a half It's more a volley than a half volley But it's a shot What did Steven Gerrard say on the clip when we were discussing it? Did he say it was in between? You know when we had that debate That's my point, it's just a shot If the ball is bouncing along like that and you hit it and it's in the air, it's a shot. If the ball drops from a height and you hit it, it's a volley. And if it hits the ground and you strike it just as it's coming off the ground, it's a half volley.

18:17OK? Can we leave it at that, please?

18:22Gary Lineker:Keeper had no chance with it anyway. It wasn't there, wasn't it? The Bravker. Yeah, great technique. It's time for John to look away. Producer John, Wolves fan. He scored four against Wolves in one game. I mean strikers we all get four occasionally in our careers but it's not very often that a more creative midfielder would score four and there's real variety left foot four in one he's trying to set himself for that one and he pings it away with the left foot again left foot here he goes that's the pace that touch I was talking about left foot at trick wow look at him have you noticed At least I've scored a half-fitt in my left foot, everybody.

19:07Just to prove he can use his right foot.

19:09Gary Lineker:Oh, wow. Four goals in an hour. You could lip-read him there saying it doesn't really count because it's against Wolves. Sorry, John. Sorry, John. Ouch.

19:25Brilliant. Do you think, a little bit like we talked about, Wayne Rooney, do you think it's slightly underrated or no? I don't think so Not by us I mean But globally Do you think Or Good question I think he probably I think the only thing That hampered him Was maybe injuries You know In key moments Of the season But No I think he was I mean he's won a few trophies I think he was rated By everyone I suppose he was involved In the golden generation In Belgium And they went very close I always thought with Belgium, though, they had sort of six or seven world-class players and not quite enough to probably get it over the line.

20:10But they performed well in a couple of tournaments. I think tactically looking at it, you had Hazard, who was slowing it down, and you had Kevin De Bruyne, who was speeding it up. So there was never really in the same place when it was needed in the game. If you watch their clips, because I used to work with Roberto Martinez, who was a manager of Belgium and he had to give Hazard a free roll because he just wanted him to create but then it hindered the way Kevin De Bruyne wanted to play if you look at all his goals and his assists and everything look how sharp he is he wants to get things moving quickly but because Hazard was the main man it didn't really work out the way they wanted it's not easy winning a World Cup now

20:51Gary Lineker:how would we know about that that's my point exactly right who they have when you say they had the world-class players. Witzel Company. Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne. Yeah. They had Vertonghen, who was playing really well. Lukaku. Lukaku. Lukaku, yeah. Mertens. Yeah, some very good players. Witzel. Dembele. Oh, Dembele. Dembele, yeah. Yeah. So they had a lot of good players, but anyway, I mean, he was very much part of, probably one of, I mean, Belgium were pretty good when I played in 1990, actually. We managed to get past them, but in terms of passing as we said we think he's the sort of dream player to play with was this possibly his best assist this one we've got a final moment this 2017 when City beat Stoke 7-2 De Bruyne Sane's going to get to this it's another one it is simply scintillating this is a ball he'd love wouldn't it that's what I'm on about that when it's just into your path and that little it's impossible for the I mean the way to pass there is incredible isn't it to have that vision and then the ability to pull it off look to see it as well because oh my gosh just there you are go and run on to that it's actually inch perfect into your path Messi-esque that's the inside right you was talking about guys that position that position oh it's delicious how many assists guys 119 That's what it is, wow.

22:27It's a lot of assists, isn't it? By far the best. By far. If you had a player with him, he'd have had a lot more assists, wouldn't he?