THREAD:

Over the past 3 seasons #DeGea has faced 68 1v1s, if they are broken down into the following locations a striking pattern emerges!

Faced, Decision%, Save%
A: 19, 68%, 63%
B: 10, 90%, 70%
C: 10, 0%, 20%
D: 5, 100%, 100%
E: 18, 44%, 17%
F: 6, 50%, 50%

In areas A, B, & D he is excellent, while in area F he is pretty average while he is abysmal in areas C & F

Why is there such a difference between 1v1 locations & how #DeGea fares?

It turns out to all be about the techniques #DeGea is good/poor at.

#DeGea’s shot stopping is supreme & he is one of a few GKs who excel at staying deep to maximise their reaction so they can save the ball. That’s why in area A he is so good. Save vs DCL is a great example:

In areas B & D he is also excellent as he’s a master of the “long barrier” or “block” technique. Such a technique works incredibly well for 1v1s where the angle is tight as it gives the striker nothing to aim at & the ball just ends up hitting the GK.
Here is an example vs #LFC.

In area F #DeGea is pretty avg. He is not particularly comfortable using the “starfish”/“spread” technique. He preferes the block & for central 1v1’s that’s not ideal as it gives the striker an easy sidefoot finish to either side of him. He does starfish well occasionally though!

In area C he is poor. This is because at this distance & angle the optimum strategy is to use a diving spread & smother the ball at the players feet. #DeGea very rarely does this this & this means he struggles to save 1v1s in area C as he struggles to minimise the goal area.

Area E he is also poor again it’s due to #DeGea not being comfortable putting his body on the line. These 1v1s are often knock downs/loose balls where the GK needs to come out & take everything & maximise the chance of the ball hitting them. #DeGea often stays deep & concedes.

In order to be a master at 1v1s you need to master various techniques not just one.

#DeGea excels at waiting & not commiting himself too early & the long barrier block but his reluctance to throw himself at the ball or use the diving spread when required lets him down.

#GKUnion

There’s a typo in this tweet it should read “while he is abysmal in areas C & E”

https://twitter.com/jhdharrison1/status/1240607597100752904?s=21 https://twitter.com/Jhdharrison1/status/1240607597100752904