Ahead of today’s match between France and Belgium at Euro 2024, Gary Neville and Roy Keane disagreed about Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne has been in good form at the tournament, but the same cannot really be said about a lot of his teammates.
The 33-year-old has struck a determined figure for Belgium, perhaps since it is potentially the last chance for him to win something. It may well be difficult for him to make the next World Cup.
At times over the last couple of weeks, De Bruyne has cut a frustrated figure.
Belgium haven’t impressed, and De Bruyne has been a level above the rest.
The captain was analysed ahead of today’s game, and there was a disagreement between Neville and Keane on ITV about the City man’s leadership.
Neville unsure about the ‘power’ De Bruyne has with Belgium, but Keane disagrees
At City, we don’t tend to see De Bruyne kick up too much of a fuss.
Sure, he does sometimes express his frustrations. But by and large, he is not someone who expresses his emotions on the pitch all that often.
At Euro 2024, De Bruyne has been a bit more animated.
Keane said: “Even when he’s just off it, he is still a brilliant, brilliant player. He obviously sets high standards. We’ve seen some clips from the last few games, he has shown his frustration. He has shown a couple of moments at Man City when he’s been taken off, shaking the head stuff.
“This incident (shouting at a teammate vs Ukraine when taking a late corner), this is at the end of the game when he’s trying to kill a bit of time. I don’t mind that. To me, that just sends the message that he cares about the game.”
The punditry team then analysed when the Belgium fans booed the team at the end of the 0-0 draw with Ukraine, which prompted De Bruyne to usher the players away.
Neville said on ITV: “Some of these amazing world-class players, they’re not always sometimes the best judge when they become leaders and they’re given that sort of power.
“What he’s been given at Belgium is his amazing power because he’s a special player. I think he’s probably better at City because Pep’s got the power. So he’s almost in some ways managed into a place whereby you don’t see that sort of, I’m not going to call it a moody side, more a frustrated side to him.
“I think he’s better when you see him when he’s at City. I’m not sure it’s the style of leadership his teammates or the fans will buy into.”
Keane disagreed, saying: “I don’t mind that, there are no perfect leaders out there let me tell you! They’ve all got flaws.”
De Bruyne’s frustrations have been warranted
There have been times during the tournament when De Bruyne’s frustrations have been pretty understandable.
As Keane says, he has high standards, given the incredible player that he is.
When you are as good as £55 million star De Bruyne is, and have achieved what he has in his career, you surely earn the right to express your displeasure when your own standards are not being met.
Neville probably went slightly overboard with what he said. Ultimately, De Bruyne is a world-class player and is just doing his utmost to help his nation progress in a major tournament.