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In Dec 2014, Mourinho called Kevin De Bruyne to his office and said "1 assist, 0 goals, 10 recoveries." He proceeded to read out stats of our other attacking players at the club – Willian, Schurrle, Oscar, Mata. He then said, "if Mata leaves, you'll be 5th choice instead of 6th."
De Bruyne instantly said, "I feel like the club doesn't really want me here. I want to play. I'd rather that you sell me." Jose understood and agreed to let him go. Soon enough, De Bruyne was given a out to Wolfsburg.
When he came to City, Pep called him into his office and said "Kevin, you can easily be a top 5 player in the world. Top 5. Easily."
"I was shocked," KdB would later say about this meeting. "But when Pep said it with so much belief, it changed my whole mentality.
"I was shocked," KdB would later say about this meeting. "But when Pep said it with so much belief, it changed my whole mentality.
It was genius, I think, because I felt like I had to prove him right, instead of prove him wrong. Most of the time, football is about negativity and fear. But with Pep, it’s about extreme positivity. He sets goals that are so high that they’re almost impossible to reach."
When Kevin arrived from the Bundesliga, Pep knew he had a special player on his hands, but one who could be even better. Instead of letting him rest on his laurels as a world class #10, Pep played him everywhere; at LW, RW, #8, False 9 and even deeper in a pivot. He didn't always
deliver world class performances, but Pep kept asking him to do it for years, enouraging him to hone every aspect of his play – space, vision as an 8, shots, playmaking as a #10, inventive crossing and movement as a winger. All of it was part of a comprehensive education.
The point I'm trying to make is, the first stel to nurture a potential world class player is to nurture them, to let them know that the coach has belief in their abilities.
The second is to push them on to find their next level. Inspite and even provoke them into a reaction.
The second is to push them on to find their next level. Inspite and even provoke them into a reaction.
Mount has already played 5 roles this season – LW, RW, advanced 8, deeper 8, #10.
Kai has played RW, 8.
Pulisic RW/LW.
Hudson-Odoi LW/RW.
Tammy LW/CF.
Werner played LW/RW/CF.
He has backed them all publicly; never attacked them.
Kai has played RW, 8.
Pulisic RW/LW.
Hudson-Odoi LW/RW.
Tammy LW/CF.
Werner played LW/RW/CF.
He has backed them all publicly; never attacked them.
Frank knows it is easy to play Timo at CF and use his pace and world class finishing. But challenging him to improve his first touch on the flank, to find deeper spaces vs low blocks– this is his education at 24.
CHO and Kai have noticably improved their defensive work.
Tammy is dropping as deep as CM this season to draw the CBs out and allow Werner space, instead of being a static poacher and goal threat.
Mount's goal/assists have reduced, but he is influencing more phases of the game.
Tammy is dropping as deep as CM this season to draw the CBs out and allow Werner space, instead of being a static poacher and goal threat.
Mount's goal/assists have reduced, but he is influencing more phases of the game.
When Mount played wing, people always pointed out how's he's better as an 8 and dominant as a 10. Of course he is. But know that even if he tries (and even catastrophically fails) to grasp the technical and tactical requirements of a winger, it is still part of his learning at 22
A manager who is vocal about his support for young players in victory and defeat, who pushes them out of their comfort zones and isn't afraid to show tough love is a rare find. Players evolve with every game, and they need to be nurtured, challenged, pushed.
When Lukaku came to Inter from United, where he was ridiculed for his first touch, Conte made him train for THREE MONTHS on the same drill – he had to play with his back to goal vs Ranocchia (1.95m tall, 85 kg.) Every time Lukaku lost the ball, the drill would start again.
Repetition, repetition. Without a pre-season this time, those 3 months weren't available to Timo, Kai, Ziyech and the likes. But their learning is happening in every game, even when we lose.
Keep the faith.
That's what turned a "Chelsea reject" into a top 5 player in the world.
Keep the faith.
That's what turned a "Chelsea reject" into a top 5 player in the world.
