The Importance of Bruno Fernandes at Man United, and how Kai Havertz can still do an equal role at Chelsea [Thread]:
The Importance of Bruno Fernandes at Man United, and how Kai Havertz can still do an equal role at Chelsea [Thread]:
The Importance of Bruno Fernandes at Man United, and how Kai Havertz can still do an equal role at Chelsea [Thread]:
Let's not kid ourselves, when Bruno Fernandes arrived at Man United, they were stagnating under OGS. No real purpose or direction, 8th in the league at the end of 2019, finishing the year with a 2-0 defeat to eventual relegation club Watford.
Something that seemed to plight them was a lack of plan going forward. No real tactics in front of goal, which lead to results like a dismal 1-0 loss to Newcastle and a disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton, games where they dictated the tempo and by all rights deserved a win.
Something that seemed to plight them was a lack of plan going forward. No real tactics in front of goal, which lead to results like a dismal 1-0 loss to Newcastle and a disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton, games where they dictated the tempo and by all rights deserved a win.
Something that seemed to plight them was a lack of plan going forward. No real tactics in front of goal, which lead to results like a dismal 1-0 loss to Newcastle and a disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton, games where they dictated the tempo and by all rights deserved a win.
What's worth noting at the time was the lack of creativity, the lack of precision and imagination up front. Despite generating large numbers for shots, very few of them were on target. This can be blamed on the finishing, However a look at the line ups reveals the disconnect.
Ole uses a 4-2-3-1 by default. In the Everton game, Ole preferred Lingard in the 10 role. A good player, but more suited to coming in from a slightly wider position. Against Newcastle Mata was chosen, however the Spanish playmaker is now far past his best, and was anonymous. .
Ole uses a 4-2-3-1 by default. In the Everton game, Ole preferred Lingard in the 10 role. A good player, but more suited to coming in from a slightly wider position. Against Newcastle Mata was chosen, however the Spanish playmaker is now far past his best, and was anonymous. .
Ole uses a 4-2-3-1 by default. In the Everton game, Ole preferred Lingard in the 10 role. A good player, but more suited to coming in from a slightly wider position. Against Newcastle Mata was chosen, however the Spanish playmaker is now far past his best, and was anonymous. .
The system was in place, however the personnel was lacking. Enter Bruno.
Slotting in to that 10 role, Bruno was an instant hit. In 23 games, Fernandes had 12 goals and 8 assists for the Red Devils, for almost a goal contribution every game. Worth noting too, in the reverse of that Watford game, Bruno had a G + A performance in a 3-0 win.
Slotting in to that 10 role, Bruno was an instant hit. In 23 games, Fernandes had 12 goals and 8 assists for the Red Devils, for almost a goal contribution every game. Worth noting too, in the reverse of that Watford game, Bruno had a G + A performance in a 3-0 win.
Slotting in to that 10 role, Bruno was an instant hit. In 23 games, Fernandes had 12 goals and 8 assists for the Red Devils, for almost a goal contribution every game. Worth noting too, in the reverse of that Watford game, Bruno had a G + A performance in a 3-0 win.
Slotting in to that 10 role, Bruno was an instant hit. In 23 games, Fernandes had 12 goals and 8 assists for the Red Devils, for almost a goal contribution every game. Worth noting too, in the reverse of that Watford game, Bruno had a G + A performance in a 3-0 win.
Slotting in to that 10 role, Bruno was an instant hit. In 23 games, Fernandes had 12 goals and 8 assists for the Red Devils, for almost a goal contribution every game. Worth noting too, in the reverse of that Watford game, Bruno had a G + A performance in a 3-0 win.
United finished the season on a crucial 3rd place, qualifying for this season's UCL. Notable performances included wins over Chelsea, City and Leicester on the final day. United were even able to reach both FA Cup and Europa League Semi-finals, thanks to Bruno's performances.
United finished the season on a crucial 3rd place, qualifying for this season's UCL. Notable performances included wins over Chelsea, City and Leicester on the final day. United were even able to reach both FA Cup and Europa League Semi-finals, thanks to Bruno's performances.
United finished the season on a crucial 3rd place, qualifying for this season's UCL. Notable performances included wins over Chelsea, City and Leicester on the final day. United were even able to reach both FA Cup and Europa League Semi-finals, thanks to Bruno's performances.
The drastic change came as a result of a simple tactic employed by Ole. Give the ball to Bruno in the final third. This is corroborated by his heatmap towards the back end of last season, in which he averaged 75 touches per game in these positions.
Free will in the final 3rd is a risky tactic but can work with the right players, see KDB. With the ball to feet in these situations, Bruno is able to browse his options or even take a shot if he so chooses, giving the attack a random element. Here's where Kai comes in.
The 21 year old German has been subject to the basic football question: What position does he play? His heatmap for his last season in the Bundesliga barely gives any clues, apart from he enjoys operation on the right hand side due to his left footedness.
However, this tactical choice does yield results. 27 G + A in 45 games mostly in midfield is an extremely impressive output for a 20 year old no where near his prime. What's more, his 18 G +A made him directly responsible for almost 30% of Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga goals.
What's crucial to that success is his deployment in the final 3rd, usually with the instructions of a Raumdeuter, Thomas Muller's fabled role. In the games below, Havertz had more than one goal contribution from 3 different positions, showcasing versatility and ability.
What's crucial to that success is his deployment in the final 3rd, usually with the instructions of a Raumdeuter, Thomas Muller's fabled role. In the games below, Havertz had more than one goal contribution from 3 different positions, showcasing versatility and ability.
What's crucial to that success is his deployment in the final 3rd, usually with the instructions of a Raumdeuter, Thomas Muller's fabled role. In the games below, Havertz had more than one goal contribution from 3 different positions, showcasing versatility and ability.
What's crucial to that success is his deployment in the final 3rd, usually with the instructions of a Raumdeuter, Thomas Muller's fabled role. In the games below, Havertz had more than one goal contribution from 3 different positions, showcasing versatility and ability.
This unpredictability is what Chelsea have been missing in recent months. The amount of crossing and sideways passing the side have employed has meant our dominance in possession usually counts for nothing, much like United pre Bruno. Results against Arsenal and City show this.
This unpredictability is what Chelsea have been missing in recent months. The amount of crossing and sideways passing the side have employed has meant our dominance in possession usually counts for nothing, much like United pre Bruno. Results against Arsenal and City show this.
This unpredictability is what Chelsea have been missing in recent months. The amount of crossing and sideways passing the side have employed has meant our dominance in possession usually counts for nothing, much like United pre Bruno. Results against Arsenal and City show this.
In these games, Havertz had been benched almost completely, having been deemed out of form. However, in these times it is noted he was playing out of position, in a deeper 8, much in contrast to far and away his best performance of this season.
In these games, Havertz had been benched almost completely, having been deemed out of form. However, in these times it is noted he was playing out of position, in a deeper 8, much in contrast to far and away his best performance of this season.
In these games, Havertz had been benched almost completely, having been deemed out of form. However, in these times it is noted he was playing out of position, in a deeper 8, much in contrast to far and away his best performance of this season.
Naturally, not every game is going to be Barnsley at home in the EFL Cup. However, of Havertz's 11 G + A this season, 8 of them have come in his favoured role of Attacking Midfielder. Just play him there more @ChelseaFC .
A skillful dribbler and intelligent playmaker, added to a 6'2" frame for aerial threat, Havertz absolutely has the talent and potential to excel in the same nature as Fernandes has. I believe with Tuchel coming in, his experience will see Havertz unleashed in a blue shirt.
Likes and RTs appreciated, this took me a few hours. đź’™
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