Greater than three years have handed since I first coated this matter, and rather a lot has modified. The gamers have modified, soccer itself has modified. However what does stay is the effectiveness of gamers trying, and outwitting markers in one-against-one conditions. So it felt related to as soon as once more take notes, and examine gamers traits, and why they’ve them.
The seven traits deciphered earlier than have been used as instruments as soon as once more, with their utilization as soon as once more relying on the gamers position, fashion, and their respective groups techniques.
- Dribbling down the surface of the wing
- Chop and alter route near aim
- Dribble with their head down
- Lower inside from the wing
- Use feints and touches to take the ball away from the opposing participant
- Use physicality and rotate physique
- Shifting ball nearer and adjusting velocity of transfer to create area for themselves or teammates
With out additional ado…
Dribbling down the surface of the wing
Dribbling on the byline, sometimes beating a defender for tempo or with a chunk of trickery earlier than sending a cross into the penalty-area.
Case Examine: Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United
Different notable examples embrace: Anthony Elanga, Adama Traore, Leon Bailey, Kyle Walker-Peters, Leif Davis, Jeremy Doku, Pedro Neto
Jarrod Bowen performs an enormous half in counter-attacking strikes for West Ham United. He gives motion, a watch for aim, in addition to a watch for a move. And while solely 2 of Bowen’s crosses from the suitable have been registered as assists, they’re however the top product which comes after beating a defender one-against-one, and are a relentless supply of creation. Bowen is at the moment trying 4.94 crosses per 90, and 1.56 passes into the penalty-area per 90.
Each of Bowen’s assists oversaw Bowen play a low ball throughout the penalty-area from out huge on the suitable, both after taking over a defender one-against-one, or making a run past the closest defender.
Bowen’s second help of the season, which arrange the opening aim in a 4-1 win in opposition to Ipswich City, adopted one other assault on the suitable flank. Bowen dribbled contained in the penalty-area, performed low ball throughout along with his weaker proper foot. Bowen dribbles with the ball near his ft, so when taking over a defender in shut quarters, it’s exhausting to dispossess him.
Bowen opens up alternatives to carry the ball ahead even when not in possession, as he makes runs in behind the defence in superior areas on the suitable aspect. He met a move from Antonio, and dribbles in the direction of the penalty-area. His move was deflected, however discovered its approach to Lucas Paqueta to extend the Hammers’ lead in opposition to Ipswich.
Though West Ham finally misplaced 4-1 to Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham took the preliminary lead, and once more, Bowen despatched the ball right into a harmful place.
With a protracted ball from the opposing flank discovering its approach to the suitable, Bowen ultimately obtained the ball from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Bowen shielded the ball, crossing the ball throughout the penalty-area. It deflected, however solely to fulfill Mohammed Kudus, who transformed from shut vary.
Bowen is snug attacking down the surface, despite the fact that enjoying the ball along with his weaker foot. Like quite a few different wingers within the Premier League, Bowen is ready to utilise both the surface of the flank, or lower inside.
Chop and alter route near aim
Alter route of dribble to bypass a defender and discover an angle to move or shoot. Having a robust sense of steadiness and good shut management could make this more durable to cease.
Case Examine: Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth
Different notable examples: Son Heung-Min, Mohamed Salah, Mohammed Kudus, Ismalia Sarr, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka
Unpredictability, and selection, go a great distance in one-against one conditions. So Antoine Semenyo is a risk receiving the ball in tighter areas, as a lot as he’s receiving the ball huge, and is adept with each ft.
In and across the penalty-area, Semenyo can pick an early cross or move, or create an angle from which he can shoot at aim. When looking for tan avenue to shoot, Semenyo can shoot with both foot, and due to that, he can test again onto one foot, or the opposite.
Throughout one transfer in opposition to Southampton, for instance Semenyo dropped the shoulder, giving the impression he was going to play the ball along with his proper foot, however shortly checked again onto his left foot, passing to Lewis Prepare dinner, whose shot deflected off of Outtarra Dango.
Afterward in the identical match, Semenyo obtained the ball out huge. He lower inside, however checked again once more, creating additional area between Semenyo and Lesley Ugochukwu, and the angle for Semenyo to shoot along with his proper foot. The ball was aimed on the backside proper nook, beating goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, and rising the deficit to 3 earlier than half-time.
Dribble with their head down
The participant’s head is going through down, trying on the ball when dribbling.
Case Examine: Rayan Ait Nouri, Wolves
Different notable examples: Gabriel Martinelli, Pedro Neto
Wolves’ wing-back who pops up in an array of positions throughout the pitch, Rayan Ait Nouri doesn’t shrink back from taking over opposing gamers. Dribbling along with his head down, Ait Nouri could foray both in a simple route, or weave throughout midfield into totally different zones.
An excellent solo run in opposition to Chelsea nearly conjured a aim, as Ait Nouri drove infield from the left, shrugging off strain from midfielder Enzo Fernandes. Taking lengthy strides with the ball as he closed in on the penalty-area, Ait-Nouri stored the ball below shut management, earlier than passing the ball delicately to the trail of Matheus Cunha, earlier than his effort was saved. It may be argued that it takes dribbler to pressure probabilities within the final-third, having introduced the ball ahead from a lot deeper areas on the pitch.
Although his position comes with occasional defensive mishaps, Ait Nouri is excellent going ahead. An early crosser when he pushes excessive up the left hand aspect.
Ait Nouri has additionally scored himself, offering the comfort in a high-scoring 5-3 defeat to Brentford. Along with his head down, the wing-back dribbled into the field…
Lower inside from the wingDribble infield from the wing to play the ball along with your stronger foot. Can drag a participant out of place, or discover additional area by dribbling indie, while utilising attackers trickery and imaginative and prescient.
Case Examine: Luis Diaz, Liverpool
Different notable examples: Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Bryan Mbeumo, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Son Heung-Min, Anthony Gordon, Kaoru Mitoma
Luis Diaz is usually the spare man, and important outlet in Liverpool’s assault, from his station on the left wing. Underneath new supervisor Arne Slot, Liverpool have been extra conservative with out possession than below predecessor Jurgen Klopp, although they nonetheless undertake an identical 4-3-3/4-2-4 form, and stay as threatening in transitions, with rather a lot for runners shifting into positions throughout the final-third. Being an inverted winger, Diaz inevitably cuts inside, and in doing so he can:
⁃ go for aim
⁃ be fouled
⁃ cross shortly
⁃ launch a run made by a teammate.
A fast acceleration when dribbling with the ball is necessary in one-against one conditions, together with when the pitch opens up for the participant as they dribble inwards from out huge.
Receiving the ball from left-back, Andrew Robertson, Diaz drove ahead, aggressive and direct. The intention from the offset was to go for aim.
Diaz lower inside previous the Bournemouth defender with the defenders physique positioning unsuited to defending in opposition to Diaz, as his again was going through Diaz by the point he caught up with the winger, and was sluggish on the flip as Diaz moved additional infield.
Diaz labored the goalkeeper with a fearsome shot.
Comparisons will be made with Marcus Rashford, in that each can generate a number of energy kind photographs after slicing inside from the left flank, with out a lot again raise.
Right here, Diaz pressured a save, however went on to attain twice. Diaz is a shoot first winger, quite than move first, however his numbers are spectacular, boasting a profession excessive of 0.29 targets per shot within the league, with a complete of 5 targets below his belt, while averaging 3.27 photographs per 90.
Diaz shows key core points in one-against one conditions. He possesses a change of velocity, can assault down the surface of the flank, or lower inside. But there may be additionally the case of being direct, and aggressive, whereas some are extra affected person when dribbling with the ball.
In recreation relationships are additionally key, which is why when wingers are in positions to obtain the ball, that teammates know to search out them, and have the room too. And when wingers then have the ball, the help they’ve through runs shouldn’t be downplayed. It’s at all times a case of who you obtain the ball from, who offers the runs, and what kind of runs are being made, who covers area left vacated, and who creates area for the opposite.
Feints and deft touches
Physique feints to outwit, and touches to take the ball away from defenders.
Case Examine: Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham Hotspur
Different notable examples: Iliman Ndiaye, Noussair Mazraoui (Out to in motion from right-back), Kobbie Mainoo, Joao Pedro, Eberechi Eze, Mohamed Salah, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson (Can play deeper, out huge, or as a ‘10’), Cole Palmer
Dejan Kulusevski has been stationed between the traces as a no.8 this season, quite than out huge as a right-winger. Though an admirable possibility on that aspect, Kulusevski’s recreation is much more suited to a extra central position, and he has been wonderful.
He offers additional technicality to Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield, and has extra freedom to float into pockets of area within the final-third, the place he can mix with these round him.
He offers neat flicks and touches on the sting of the penalty-area, even along with his again to aim, which may let loose runners through the channels.
And in Spurs’ 4-0 thrashing of Everton, Kulusevski offered the help for Yves Bissouma. Kulusevski initially offered a passing possibility for winger Brennan Johnson when, once more, his again was going through the closest marker. However the Swede was capable of flick the ball again to Johnson.
Use physicality and rotate physique Use a number of of energy, physique rotation, and shielding the ball to bypass opposing gamers in 1v1 conditions throughout the pitch.
Case Examine: Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa
Different notable examples: Adam Wharton, Adama Traore, Morgan Gibbs-White, Joao Pedro
Morgan Roger takes on markers in a stride which may shortly attain prime velocity. When dribbling in the direction of the final-third, Rogers utilises this variation of velocity, in addition to his energy, and tall body (Rogers stands at 192cm), to fend off challenges, sustaining the ball, and his advance to aim in central positions.
Taking part in both alongside Ollie Watkins, or in behind as a no.10 in Aston Villa’s system, Rogers usually receives the ball, and begins a mazy dribble from positions close to the half approach line, and when going through up in opposition to defenders one-against-one, both attracts strain which he can deal with, or forces numbers again, permitting himself extra space.
Rogers can lead switches from defence to assault within the course of within the course of. That mixture of technical prowess, and energy in stride means he bypasses gamers in tighter areas too.
One assault in opposition to Arsenal noticed Rogers obtain the ball from Amadou Onana, in a deeper place.
Shifting ball nearer and adjusting velocity of transfer to create area for themselves or teammates Slowing down the dribble when going through a defender 1v1, and shuffling ahead, placing additional strain on the defender.
Case Examine: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
Different notable examples: Jack Grealish, Dejan Kulusevski, Cole Palmer, Justin Kluivert
One of many two greatest right-sided attackers within the league, alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has created essentially the most probabilities within the Premier League as of publishing this text, with 27, and has prtovided essentially the most assists, with 7. He’s averaging 4.29 probabilities crested per 90, additional establishing the affect he has in assault, particularly when capable of mix with Martin Odegaard.
Saka can both obtain the ball on the flip, along with his again to the man-marker, or face the defender head on. He’s considerably of a contrasting profile to Luis Diaz. Saka is usually affected person with the ball, and should anticipate a exact second to play the ultimate ball, lower inside, and even recycle an assault. Diaz’s method to wing-play can also be efficient, however extra direct.
Each supply selection into what approach they will go, and what they could do when releasing the ball, however Saka is probably much more measured, and affected person in releasing the ball. While Diaz’s velocity, and aggression imply he could also be extra of a risk on the counter, Saka could also be extra of a risk when dribbling inside from the suitable flank within the latter part of build-up.
When receiving the ball out huge, Saka isolates the left-back, takes on the left-back, and shifts inside onto his dominant left foot. From there, he can cross or shoot, and typically it’s exhausting to inform what he’s going to do.
Towards Southampton, Saka obtained the ball out huge, and confronted the left-sided defender.
Saka may also lay the ball off to a midfielder on the sting of the penalty-area, or can drive the ball throughout to forwards inside it. If he opts for the previous, Saka waits for the midfielder to push ahead because the opposing defence drops off, then passes.
Help from full-backs, be that through overlapping, or underlapping runs, additionally turn out to be useful. In a single occasion, Saka dribbled ahead, and waited for the run from the right-back, Jurrien Timber.
Saka occupied the opposing defender as he dribbled ahead, giving Timber time and area to make the run on the surface.
Saka would have been capable of lower inside, however as a substitute equipped the run.
Timber’s subsequent ball throughout the penalty-area was met by Martinelli to present Arsenal the lead.
As soon as once more, all knowledge is courtesy of the sensible http://www.fbref.com
