Opta has noted an interesting stat today, one dominated by a Chelsea player.
Kai Havertz has the most “off ball runs” of anyone in the Premier League, and the most runs into the penalty area. Yet we can barely remember him getting a shot away.
That’s a tactical issue, and while signing a new player may help, we have plenty of good ones already, we just need to get them into the right position. Raheem Sterling is 5th in the stat, and target Anthony Gordon is in 4th.
As always with stats, it’s all about what you read into it more than anything.
You can see the image showing the direction of those runs in the post from Opta embedded here:
114 – Kai Havertz has made the most off-ball runs of any player in the Premier League this season (114), as well the most off-ball runs into the penalty area (37).
114 – Kai Havertz
103 – Luis DÃaz
94 – Erling Haaland
94 – Anthony Gordon
93 – Raheem SterlingPull. pic.twitter.com/HHG7ixdr5u
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2022
The implication is that we don’t have technical players capable of playing Havertz in when he makes those run, but to us it seems more of a structural issue. We need more play to break up the opposition shape so that those runs he’s making are into space, not into centre backs.
Build the team around pulisic again! Just like the CL winning season!
We all have failed to ask this question..
Why is it that players are good in their various clubs but the moment they sign with Chelsea they become a shadow of themselves in the pitch.. I believe that the coach tactics is the problem. Tuchel has tactical issues and until we recognize that and find a solution even if you bring in RONALDO, MESSI, MBAPE, NEYMAR. Nothing would be achieved..
Si tan solo Tuchel dejara ya de experimentar con los jugadores, por que los saca de sus posiciones naturales donde eran efectivos? Cuál es la maldita razón? Deja ya de improvisar carajo!