To begin with I've constructed a zonal passing network of all Barça's passes within possessions that ter Stegen touched the ball. (Under Xavi)
This approach allows us to see the mechanics of how Barça build from the back.
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This approach allows us to see the mechanics of how Barça build from the back.
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Evidently, Eric has been the most effective progressed in the build up. He routinely receives the ball from ter Stegen and finds Frenkie or Alba.
Frenkie's role appears to be to sit high, stretching the opponent vertically, and receive the second pass of the build-up.
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Frenkie's role appears to be to sit high, stretching the opponent vertically, and receive the second pass of the build-up.
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Next let's take a look at how Frenkie's progressive actions compare to other La Liga midfielders this season.
I've plotted progressive passes played against progressive passes received. This gives an insight to the nature of midfield role a player is being asked to play.
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I've plotted progressive passes played against progressive passes received. This gives an insight to the nature of midfield role a player is being asked to play.
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As you can see, Frenkie's per 90 performance level
is similar to offensive midfielders such as Lemar, Muniain, Rakitic & Modric.
Is this, offensive box-box, role Frenkie's been given the one Barça ever interned for him?
To answer, let's look at his 18/19 Ajax season.
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is similar to offensive midfielders such as Lemar, Muniain, Rakitic & Modric.
Is this, offensive box-box, role Frenkie's been given the one Barça ever interned for him?
To answer, let's look at his 18/19 Ajax season.
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This zonal passing network includes passes from possessions including Onana during Ajax's 2018/19 season.
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There's a clear change in Frenkie's role. For Ajax he was asked to receive the ball directly from the goal keeper and break the lines to find the attacking players.
After Blind, Frenkie was Ajax's 2nd best route from the back to attacking situations across the season.
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After Blind, Frenkie was Ajax's 2nd best route from the back to attacking situations across the season.
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As we did for his time at Barça, let's take a wider view looking at his performance in the 2018/19 Champions League.
Again I've measured progressive passes played against progressive passes received.
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Again I've measured progressive passes played against progressive passes received.
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This plot highlights the differing role Frenkie played for Ajax. Looking at those placed around him, a very different style comes to mind.
Deep midfielders such as: Busi, Verratti, Pjanić & Brozovic. Playing with the objective of finding players in advanced positions.
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Deep midfielders such as: Busi, Verratti, Pjanić & Brozovic. Playing with the objective of finding players in advanced positions.
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Frenkie is playing in a role far from what he showed at Ajax & what made us pay 75 million.
What I would like to see, is Frenkie positioned to allow him to show his best quality: receiving the ball early in the build up & beating the initial lines of pressure.
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What I would like to see, is Frenkie positioned to allow him to show his best quality: receiving the ball early in the build up & beating the initial lines of pressure.
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