Kevin De Bruyne: The Moments That Made Them

Summary

The Rest Is Football

Episode: Kevin De Bruyne: The Moments That Made Them
Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah put the spotlight on Kevin De Bruyne, reflecting on the key moments, skills, and traits that have defined his Premier League and international career. With their trademark mix of banter, candid opinions, and insider takes, the trio discuss De Bruyne’s best goals, passing genius, leadership at Manchester City, and his legacy among football’s all-time great midfielders.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. De Bruyne's Unique Brilliance ([01:08] – [04:34])

• The hosts marvel at De Bruyne’s skillset, highlighting his passing range and crossing ability.
  • Alan Shearer: “I think he’s one of the best I’ve sat and enjoyed watching ever in football ever alive. Because I always used to think he is probably the one guy that I would love to have played with in the same team.” ([02:05])
  • Micah Richards: “As a center forward, he’d create so many opportunities…a dreamland for you.”
• De Bruyne’s “floater” role is discussed—his versatility across midfield positions, especially to the right-center.
  • Micah: “He could play any. Floater.”
  • Alan: “He just had that ability to whip that ball in with pace and find the forward.” ([03:08])

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2. Chelsea Miss & City Redemption ([04:09] – [05:34])

• The panel ponders how Chelsea let De Bruyne slip away.
  • Micah: “How did Chelsea not see it?... there are late developers but you can see someone when they've got that kind of talent, can't you?”
  • Gary: “It’s about timing, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s just not the right time.…maybe because he's quite shy, maybe they didn't see the personality at the time. He's very reserved, very humble.”

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3. Comparisons – Silva vs. De Bruyne ([06:47] – [07:52])

• The perennial debate: David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne?
  • Gary: “People always ask, David Silva or De Bruyne. I always say David Silva just because I played with him. But De Bruyne, I think in terms of... they won the Champions League, didn’t they, when he was there?... he made the difference.” ([06:47])

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4. Big Goals & Celebrations ([07:53] – [09:50])

• Iconic goals, especially De Bruyne’s return to Stamford Bridge with Man City in 2017.
  • Micah: “He went back to Stamford Bridge… scored the only goal of the game. Absolute belter from Kevin De Bruyne.” ([07:08])
  • Gary: “He had that burst, didn’t he? Acceleration. Look at his shooting technique, left peg.”
• Conversation on players celebrating against their former clubs, with Alan recalling his own celebrations:
  • Alan: “When I played for Blackburn... my first goal back. Scoring for Blackburn at St. James’s Park—the Gallagher. And went mad.” ([09:16])
  • Micah and Gary critique the “no celebration” trend, attributing it to social media culture.

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5. Defining Manchester City Moments ([10:10] – [12:05])

• De Bruyne’s crucial assist in the “Aguero 2.0” comeback vs. Aston Villa on the final day.
  • Micah: “Brilliant bit of play from Kevin De Bruyne. I mean cross—definite cross there.”
  • Gary: “I was at the game, the stadium erupted.”
• The panel agrees De Bruyne was the pitch leader for Pep’s side.
  • Alan: “He was a leader with a ball, definitely.”
  • Gary: “Kevin De Bruyne was the one who’d make things happen all the time.” ([12:24])

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6. All-Time Great? ([12:32] – [14:11])

• Debate over De Bruyne’s place in the all-time Premier League XI.
  • Alan: “I would definitely have him in my all time Premier League eleven… on the right of midfield ahead of Salah.” ([12:32])
  • Debates about who else makes the midfield: Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Vieira, Beckham, etc.
  • Alan: “With those balls and crosses, [De Bruyne] might even be better at that than David [Beckham].” ([13:33])
  • Gary: “Everything else in terms of through balls and the low cross, that was Kevin De Bruyne.” ([13:46])

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7. Signature Goals and Technique ([16:53] – [18:29])

• Micah brings up De Bruyne’s sensational volley against Newcastle.
  • Micah: “Just see it…De Bruyne…Oh, that is outstanding.” ([17:07])
  • Gary: “Touch, Focus, precision. Technique.”
  • Alan: “What a volley that is. Keeper had no chance.”

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8. Four-Goal Haul vs. Wolves ([18:36] – [19:27])

• De Bruyne’s remarkable four-goal game is highlighted.
  • Gary: “Four goals in an hour.”
  • Micah (joking with the producer, a Wolves fan): “Sorry, John.” ([19:25])
• They marvel at De Bruyne’s two-footedness, particularly scoring his hat-trick with his left foot.

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9. His Legacy – Rated or Underrated? ([19:33] – [21:49])

• Is De Bruyne underrated globally?
  • Alan: “I don’t think. Not by us, I mean, but globally. Do you think or…?”
  • Gary: “The only thing that hampered him was maybe injuries… but no, I think he was rated by everyone.”
• Discussion around Belgium’s so-called “golden generation” and why, despite his brilliance, major international wins eluded them.
  • Gary: “Hazard…was slowing it down and you had Kevin de Bruyne who was speeding it up…never really in the same place when it was needed.” ([20:20])

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10. Assists and Creative Peers ([21:49] – [23:26])

• Highlighting De Bruyne’s best assists and overall creative output.
  • Micah: “Was this possibly his best assist…when City beat Stoke 7-2?” ([21:49])
  • Alan (on a threaded through ball): “The weight of pass there is incredible…to have that vision and ability to pull it off.” ([22:02])
  • Micah: “119 assists. It’s a lot of assists, isn’t it?”
• De Bruyne compared with Fabregas, Özil, Chris Waddle, Beckham, and Glenn Hoddle.
  • Gary: “You say creative midfield players, you'd be right up there with…Glenn Hoddle…Fabregas…Ozil…Waddle…” ([23:12])
  • Alan: “With the type of crosses or passes…[De Bruyne has] similarities [with Waddle].” ([23:38])
  • Micah: “For me, there are similarities with De Bruyne, with the way Waddle played.” ([24:24])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alan Shearer on playing with De Bruyne:
  “He is probably the one guy that I would love to have played with in the same team.” ([02:05])
• Micah Richards on missing De Bruyne’s talent at Chelsea:
  “I just wonder how Chelsea missed the talent that he had.” ([04:09])
• On leadership at City:
  “He was a leader with the ball. Definitely…on the pitch Kevin De Bruyne was the one who make things happen all the time.” (Shearer & Lineker, [12:24])
• On signature passes:
  “That little thready one, it’s impossible for the…weight of pass there is incredible…inch perfect into your path.” (Shearer, [22:02-22:17])
• On De Bruyne’s influence:
  “One of the most gifted, creative players I think the Premier League has ever seen.” (Richards, [23:03])
• Creative midfield legacy:
  “You say creative midfield players, you’d be right up there with…Glenn Hoddle…Fabregas…Ozil…Waddle.” (Lineker, [23:12])

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Segment Timestamps

• Introduction and topic: [01:08]
• Early De Bruyne praise & role: [01:54]–[04:34]
• Chelsea/Wolfsburg years: [04:09]–[05:34]
• David Silva vs. De Bruyne debate: [06:47]–[07:52]
• Big goals & celebrating against former teams: [07:53]–[09:50]
• City’s title-winning comeback: [10:10]–[12:05]
• All-time Premier League XI debate: [12:32]–[14:11]
• Iconic Newcastle volley discussion: [16:53]–[18:29]
• Four goals vs Wolves: [18:36]–[19:27]
• Legacy and Belgium analysis: [19:33]–[21:49]
• Assists, creative passing, comparisons: [21:49]–[24:27]

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Final Reflection

The episode concludes with Alan, Gary, and Micah acknowledging De Bruyne’s rare mix of vision, technical mastery, and consistency. They agree he stands among the creative elite—not just of the Premier League era, but football as a whole—drawing parallels to legends like Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle, and David Beckham. De Bruyne’s enduring influence and the joy he brought to teammates and fans alike mark him as a generational talent whose best moments will live long in football’s memory.

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Summary prepared for listeners who want the full flavor, memorable moments, and key insights from the episode “Kevin De Bruyne: The Moments That Made Them” on The Rest is Football.

Transcript

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[Micah Richards]

Hello and welcome to 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 come graced our football pitches for the last decade or so until last season, the great Kevin de Bruyne.

[Alan Shearer]

Wow.

[Gary Lineker]

Now we're cooking.

[Micah Richards]

You didn't quite overlap with. With de Bruyne, did you?

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, yes, a little bit. Just a little bit. Villa City.

[Micah Richards]

Oh, you played against him.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, overlap in terms of.

[Micah Richards]

In terms of. At Manchester City. Correct.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes.

[Micah Richards]

You've played against him.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, yeah. Playing against him. Clean sheath. Yeah, just so you know. Clean sheet. Oh, man of the match. Just saying.

[Micah Richards]

I'm glad you pointed that out.

[Gary Lineker]

No, I was.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

You know, when we. I'm at home and you can see the background. You can see it there. Man of the match. Aston Villa, Man City.

[Alan Shearer]

I think he. He's one of the best I've sat and enjoyed watching ever in football ever alive. Because I always used to think he is probably the one guy that I would love to have played with in the same team.

[Micah Richards]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, his passes, his crossing is just everything about him. I think numbers would have improved.

[Gary Lineker]

I wonder when he will get to that.

[Alan Shearer]

Do you. Would you disagree with that?

[Micah Richards]

No, no, I would totally agree with that. As a center forward, I think what you're saying, he'd be the. He. He would create so many opportunities.

[Gary Lineker]

Dreamland for you.

[Micah Richards]

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 he's passing range but I would also put in that, that, that bracket. Kevin De Bruyne.

[Alan Shearer]

Brilliant. I mean you just wanted me to run.

[Micah Richards]

We're a selfish lockmaker. We think about what, you know, how

[Gary Lineker]

they can help us.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, he just, when he 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 Pierce and find the forward.

[Gary Lineker]

What's his best position? Because he's more of a hybrid.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Wasn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Best position. That's a good question. What is his position? He could play any. Floater.

[Gary Lineker]

Floater.

[Micah Richards]

Floater.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. You can play anywhere.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

I mean he played quite a lot wide on the right hand side maybe because of the delivery, but he also played in a 10 role quite frequently. He could also play in a more orthodox midfield role. Where do you think he's at his absolute best? I as a player would like him to be that. Certainly to the right center.

[Gary Lineker]

Right. Yeah. His delivery then. Come on.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, all sorts.

[Gary Lineker]

Not the lifted. I like the driven one, you know, across the floor, bending.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

For the runs. You've scored so many goals.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

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.

[Alan Shearer]

Wasn't there a lot of discussion about his price tag as well when he came back in? Paid too much for him. But then you think, oh my God, what a bargain that turned out to be.

[Gary Lineker]

But it was a lot of money at the time though, wasn't it?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, 55 million. So there's a lot of money. But I'll go back to the question.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

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?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. But the Salah as well, it's happened.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, Salah, it's happened.

[Gary Lineker]

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. In training, you know what's also a good player in training, don't you? Just 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.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. I'VE done something.

[Gary Lineker]

He's very humble.

[Micah Richards]

I don't think I've ever met him, actually.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, on the pitch he says he's mine, but off the pitch he's just

[Micah Richards]

very straight, very competitive, isn't he? Yeah, he's very competitive. He's got a bit of a. He's got a bit of a side to him.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. I loved everything about him at City. He's proper legendary, Proper legend there.

[Micah Richards]

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[Alan Shearer]

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[Gary Lineker]

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[Gary Lineker]

People always ask the question David Silva or De Bruyne. I always say David Silva just because I played with him. Yeah, but De Bruyne, I think in terms of. They won the Champions League, didn't they, when he was there? I 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.

[Micah Richards]

He went back to Stamford Bridge, didn't he? It was the 30th of September in 2017 and he scored the only goal of the game. De Bruyne.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, Belter.

[Micah Richards]

Absolute belter from Kevin De Bruyne. There is no stopping that.

[Gary Lineker]

And it was quicker than people give him credit for. He had that burst, didn't he? Acceleration.

[Micah Richards]

Nice. Lovely one too.

[Gary Lineker]

Great finish the keeper. Look at his shooting technique though. Left peg.

[Micah Richards]

Do you think he would have enjoyed that particularly?

[Gary Lineker]

Definitely, yeah, definitely.

[Alan Shearer]

You can tell with his celebration. You know, you get these some people who go back to their form a club and give it one of them. No, not celebrating, not even laughing.

[Micah Richards]

Most players do that, don't they?

[Gary Lineker]

I don't get that Rubbish social media though, innit? Keeping everyone happy, really. That's what it is.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. I understand if you've perhaps been at a club for 12 years, 15, 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.

[Gary Lineker]

No.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. He played all his career really at Manchester United, didn't he? He was part of that. Incredible. Obviously the, you know, 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.

[Gary Lineker]

Probably.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. But then it becomes now some player plays for a club for like three weeks, goes somewhere, scores against statement on Instagram in it. Do you think it's cause they're worried about the social media response?

[Gary Lineker]

That's exactly what it is, 100%. Did you play against any of your old teams?

[Alan Shearer]

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's Park. the Gallagher.

[Gary Lineker]

No.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. And went mad.

[Micah Richards]

Did you? I was away.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, I'm up, go mad. And then.

[Micah Richards]

It wasn't really a thing then though, that stuff, wasn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

I don't think so, no. But then I obviously signed for Newcastle and then scored against Blackburn.

[Gary Lineker]

Did you celebrate?

[Alan Shearer]

Mad. Yeah. Crazy. Why not?

[Gary Lineker]

I like that. Fair play.

[Micah Richards]

I mean, I can guarantee you now, all these people that do that inside, they're like, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

It's a bit different for you though. Cause you didn't get let go, did you?

[Micah Richards]

When you scored for Blackburn at the Gallagher end, you hadn't previously played.

[Alan Shearer]

Not there, no. Yeah. I'd done the same. Even when I scored for Newcastle against Southampton or Blackburn against Southampton, I still always celebrate. 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. Yeah, why wouldn't you?

[Micah Richards]

Absolutely. It'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 come from behind on the Last day of the season this time was at Villa and he did have the all important assist for Gundogan. In goes De Bruyne. Kevin De Bruyne.

[Gary Lineker]

Gundogan.

[Micah Richards]

Gundogan came on. Didn't he score? That was his second goal. Goal. But a brilliant bit of play from Kevin De Bruyne. I mean cross.

[Alan Shearer]

Come shot.

[Micah Richards]

Oh, hang on. Let's have a little look. Let's have a look. It breaks to him here. This first touch is perfect. That is a cross.

[Gary Lineker]

Definite cross there.

[Micah Richards]

Definite cross. I think otherwise you, from that angle, you got to try and hit it hard with the outside of your foot.

[Gary Lineker]

I was at the game then stadium erupted.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Not like the Aguero moment.

[Micah Richards]

They went two down though, didn't they? Yeah, it was all. I mean it wasn't. The Aguero was mad cuz 21 down in injury time, you don't turn that around. But this one was, you know what they were two nil down, you know.

[Gary Lineker]

It's mad though, you know when you've played for City.

[Micah Richards]

No. Well, I played for Leicester City and

[Gary Lineker]

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 opposite

[Micah Richards]

match of the day and I thought the same to be honest. Did you just felt it?

[Gary Lineker]

He just felt. He just felt something was going to happen. I didn't feel it in the Aguero moment. I thought it was done and dusted. I thought we'd score when Dzeko did around that time, but I thought it was gonna be too late. But in that game I just knew that we'd get it done. Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

It was the 81st minute. It wasn't quite the dramatic. It's not the same but it was still 2 nil down.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, but you could just feel it. You could just feel it.

[Micah Richards]

Do you think 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?

[Gary Lineker]

Yes. Wasn't he on the pitch?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

But then you've got the likes of

[Gary Lineker]

David Silver and Van Song Co. Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

He was a leader with a ball. Definitely.

[Gary Lineker]

Vincent was a leader of the dressing room. Yeah. But then on the pitch Kevin De Bruyne was the one who make things happen all the time.

[Alan Shearer]

I would definitely have him in my all time Premier League.

[Gary Lineker]

Would you?

[Alan Shearer]

Eleven in which position? I think on the right of midfield ahead of Salah.

[Gary Lineker]

Because we're playing what formation we play. Noah plays 4, 4 2, zoggy. 433. 433. So he would be ahead of Salah on that.

[Micah Richards]

Right.

[Gary Lineker]

For you.

[Alan Shearer]

He would.

[Micah Richards]

For selfish reasons, you'd play. You definitely want to play up front.

[Alan Shearer]

That's a very good point.

[Gary Lineker]

You know, he'd play in one of the midfield positions, wouldn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

He'd play in one of the midfield positions.

[Gary Lineker]

So Gerrard being there.

[Alan Shearer]

So I'm just thinking you got Gerrard, Lampard, Keane, Scholes, Vieira.

[Micah Richards]

It's impossible.

[Gary Lineker]

Gerard's got.

[Alan Shearer]

That's why I'm seeing. 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.

[Gary Lineker]

Gerrard's definitely in De Bruyne, I think Play more. Just play one more in it. It's one more.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Brilliant. Pierracchino.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Lampard, Scholes, Paul Scholes.

[Micah Richards]

But yeah, would you. Head of Beckham?

[Alan Shearer]

I played with David, didn't I? So I appreciate how brilliant he was in terms of. I don't know, I think with those balls and crosses, he might even been better at David than that.

[Gary Lineker]

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 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. Yeah. In terms of the assistance.

[Micah Richards]

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[Alan Shearer]

Mine would have to be Teddy Sheringham. Gaz. With England, it's just one of those partnerships that worked, that clicked for you, Micah.

[Micah Richards]

Pablo Zamaletta, by any chance?

[Gary Lineker]

I don't know he was going to say that. I would have to pick Johar just on the pitch. If I made a mistake, I just knew he had my back.

[Micah Richards]

I'm sure you kept him very busy. I would probably go probably Peter Beardsley, who I had amazing partnership with 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 wr, analyze, create and summarize, learn [e-mail] 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.

[Alan Shearer]

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[Micah Richards]

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[Micah Richards]

Here we go with the customary segment of a goal against Newcastle.

[Alan Shearer]

Newcastle.

[Micah Richards]

Just see it. Here come everyone.

[Alan Shearer]

Enjoy playing against Newcastle so much.

[Micah Richards]

Quite a decent volley.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, I remember this one.

[Micah Richards]

De Bruyne.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, that is outstanding.

[Micah Richards]

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.

[Alan Shearer]

Technique's ridiculous.

[Micah Richards]

I don't think I ever scored a goal like that where I hit the

[Alan Shearer]

bar and bounced down behind the line, isn't it?

[Micah Richards]

Not with a wow. Screamer.

[Gary Lineker]

Touch, Focus, precision. Technique.

[Alan Shearer]

What a volley that is. What the volley.

[Micah Richards]

Breathe, Micah, breathe.

[Gary Lineker]

Breathe.

[Alan Shearer]

What a volley that is.

[Gary Lineker]

All right, let's go again. Let's see it again. You see, you know that it's a half, isn't it?

[Micah Richards]

It's not a half volley.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh my God.

[Micah Richards]

It's a shot.

[Gary Lineker]

It's a shot. It's a Half.

[Micah Richards]

It's a shot. It's more a volley than a half volley, but it's a shot.

[Gary Lineker]

What did Steven Gerrard say on the clip when we was discussing it? Did he say it was in between, you know, when we had that debate?

[Micah Richards]

I think it's just a shot when it just bounces. If the ball's 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. Okay, can we leave it at that, please?

[Alan Shearer]

The keeper had no chance with it anyway. Yeah, great technique.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. It's time for John to look away. Producer John Wolf's fan. He scored four against Wolves in one game. I mean, strikers, we all get four occasionally in, in our careers, but it's not very often that a more creative midfielder would score four. And the real variety.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, left foot.

[Alan Shearer]

Just as the keeper's trying to set himself for that one, then he pings it away with the left foot again.

[Micah Richards]

Left foot, there he goes.

[Gary Lineker]

That's the pace. That touch I was talking about. Left foot. Hat trick.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Wow, look at him.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, he's pointing at it. Have you noticed I've scored a hat trick with my left foot, everybody. Just to prove he can use his right foot.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, wow.

[Micah Richards]

Four goals in an hour.

[Alan Shearer]

So you could lip read them there, saying it doesn't really count because against Wolves.

[Micah Richards]

Sorry, John.

[Alan Shearer]

Sorry, John.

[Micah Richards]

Ouch.

[Gary Lineker]

Brilliant.

[Micah Richards]

Do you think a little bit like we talked about Wayne Rooney, do you think it's slightly underrated or not?

[Alan Shearer]

I don't think.

[Micah Richards]

Not by us, I mean, but globally. Do you think or. I think he probably.

[Gary Lineker]

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.

[Micah Richards]

I mean, he's won a few trophies.

[Gary Lineker]

I think he was rated by everyone.

[Micah Richards]

I suppose he was involved in the golden generation in Belgium, but they. 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 properly get it over the line, but they performed well in a couple of tournaments.

[Gary Lineker]

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 role 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 assistant, everything, look how sharp he is. He wants to get things moving quickly because Hazard was the main man. It didn't really work out the way they wanted.

[Micah Richards]

It's not easy winning World cup though.

[Alan Shearer]

How would we know about that? That's my point exactly right. Who they have. When you say they had the world class players. Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Who was playing really well.

[Alan Shearer]

Mertens.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. Some very good players.

[Gary Lineker]

Vitzel, Dembele.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, yeah. So 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, we. 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 final moment this 2017 when City beat Stokes 7 2.

[Gary Lineker]

De Bruyne.

[Micah Richards]

Sane's going to get to this. It's another one. It is simply scintillating.

[Gary Lineker]

This is a ball you'd love, wouldn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

You know, that's what I'm on about. That when it's just into your path and that little thready one, it's impossible for the. I mean the weight of pass there is incredible, isn't it? To have that vision and then the ability to pull it off.

[Micah Richards]

Look to see it as well, because. Oh, man, just.

[Alan Shearer]

There you are. Go and run onto that. It's actually inch perfect into your path.

[Micah Richards]

Messy esque.

[Gary Lineker]

That's the inside right he was talking about. Guys, that position, that position. Oh, it's delicious. How many assists, guys?

[Micah Richards]

119.

[Alan Shearer]

Is that what it is? Wow.

[Micah Richards]

It's a lot of assists, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

By far the best? By far.

[Micah Richards]

If you'd have played with him, he'd have had a lot more assists, wouldn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

Without a doubt. I wouldn't mind running onto those passes. Hey, cool. Just a bit.

[Gary Lineker]

Trying to defend those passes as well.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

So hard. Because you don't need. They step up though. You drop deep. But then if you drop deep, he can run into space. Another. Timing is so difficult. So difficult.

[Micah Richards]

One of the most gifted, creative players I think the Premier League has ever seen.

[Alan Shearer]

Definitely.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes. Yeah, without doubt.

[Micah Richards]

You say creative midfield players, you'd be right up There with people. I would go back to my. As I do Glenn Hoddle, they were slightly different. It was more. Definitely more central, but a weight of pass and a vision.

[Gary Lineker]

Fabregas.

[Micah Richards]

Fabregas. Incredibly creative. Ozil, possibly.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Before they fell out with him.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Very creative.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. Chris Waddle. Similarities, Alan? A little bit.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, yeah. With the type of crosses or passes. Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

How good was Waddle? Because I worked with him on.

[Micah Richards]

Honestly,

[Alan Shearer]

when I used to work, watch

[Micah Richards]

him, talk with him, you could. I could make my run and you knew that it was going to come in. He wasn't one of those that fiddled around. He's a little bit, in terms of the timing of his delivery, was a bit like Beckham, basically.

[Gary Lineker]

Boom.

[Micah Richards]

But he had this kind of ungainly gait and he would amble around. It didn't look like a football. He was all like slouchy and. But boy on the ball, he could beat people easily and he could create. For me, there are similarities with De Bruyne, with the way Waddle played. He went and played for Marseille. They love him there.

[Gary Lineker]

Did they win a league?

[Alan Shearer]

They did really brilliantly there.

[Micah Richards]

So, yeah, I think they did win stuff. So I see similarities with Chris Swaddle and that's good place to finish. I think so. Goodbye from me.

[Gary Lineker]

Goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from.

[Gary Lineker]

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