Kevin De Bruyne - Right ‘Wingfielder’.

A THREAD:

Kevin De Bruyne has 21 goal contributions in 22 Premier League games this season (7G, 14A). His role as a ‘Wingfielder’ in this Manchester City side has provided him with the perfect platform to excel.

A ‘Wingfielder’ is an advanced midfielder who operates mainly out wide. When his side are in possession, the Wingfielder will predominantly appear in the half space, whilst also having the license to go wider and maintain width for his team.

This is usually most effective when the team deploys a 433 formation under a manager who has implemented a JDP system. In a JDP system, players are given specific zones they can manipulate in the attacking third.

So, De Bruyne is able to play this role in the City team due to the JDP system that has been implemented by Pep Guardiola. The use of inverted Full Backs is also an important factor.

De Bruyne can drift into wide areas very often when City attack, as the inverted FBs join Rodri to form a new MID 3 that offers superb defensive security in transition. City usually attack in a 235 shape, with De Bruyne rotating with Bernardo on the right hand side of attack.

Pep usually opts for Bernardo/Mahrez as the ‘right winger’. Both of these supreme talents are left footed, meaning they have the license to drift inside where they can be dangerous, cutting inside and shooting. Mahrez is one of the best in the world at this.

So, this allows the Belgian international to rotate with the ‘winger’, and occupy the right flank to maintain width and balance in City attacks.

Kevin De Bruyne is the perfect player for this role. His crossing is sublime, meaning when he ventures into wide areas, he can whip phenomenal crosses into the box at pace. This causes danger to any opposition. This has become a fundamental part of City attacks in 19/20.

Here are two of the best examples of De Bruyne’s magnificent crossing as a Right Wingfielder.

For me, the best.

De Bruyne has also mastered the timing of his runs in behind opposition FBs. Here is a prime example: KDB is in the half space when Walker has the ball, but as the ball travels to Bernardo, he begins his run behind Rose. This is followed by a trademark ‘low driven’ cross.

The positioning of De Bruyne in his Wingfielder role is all made possible due to excellent rotations between himself, the FB and the Inside Forward. These are well drilled rotations that occur in every Manchester City game.

First pattern:
Full Back inverts, Wingfielder operates close to touchline, inside forward operates more centrally.

Second pattern:
Full back hugs touchline, Wingfielder drifts wide, wide forward operates centrally.

Both of these patterns occur to confuse the opposition, whilst maintaining balance in attack, which makes De Bruyne, as the Right Wingfielder, extremely difficult to pick up and/or contain.

Operating in and around the half space also allows De Bruyne to shoot from range on numerous occasions. The sheer power in his shots are simply outstanding. His goal vs Swansea from the familiar right half space is the pick of the bunch.

PL stats this season:

Assists: 14 (1st)
Crosses: 184 (2nd)
Shots: 59 (6th)
Through Balls: 14 (2nd)

These statistics show the great affect De Bruyne has had for City this season whilst playing in the ‘Right Wingfielder’ role.

This role really is perfect for De Bruyne, and De Bruyne is perfect for the role. With 14 assists from 22 PL games, he’s well on his way to breaking Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a Premier League season.

End of Thread.

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