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A 25-tweet discussion on Sergio Reguilón, voted La Liga's best LB.
A 25-tweet discussion on Sergio Reguilón, voted La Liga's best LB.
This thread will be in four parts:
1) Archetype
— what type of player is he?
2) Appraisal
— what are his strengths and weaknesses
3) Analysis
— how would he fit in?
4) Assessment
— should United sign him?
Then, I will round up with a summary and a conclusion as per usual.
1) Archetype
— what type of player is he?
2) Appraisal
— what are his strengths and weaknesses
3) Analysis
— how would he fit in?
4) Assessment
— should United sign him?
Then, I will round up with a summary and a conclusion as per usual.
I will be comparing him to Luke Shaw in relevant areas. However, I will not be comparing his graphs to Shaw's as these graphs are influenced by team strength and style and, thus, would not be a true reflection as a comparison.
Nevertheless, I will compare when appropriate.
Nevertheless, I will compare when appropriate.
Archetype
Firstly, Reguilón is an offensive-minded full back. He has a tendency to fill positions further up the pitch to receive passes and likes to make himself available for crosses from the other flank.
Firstly, Reguilón is an offensive-minded full back. He has a tendency to fill positions further up the pitch to receive passes and likes to make himself available for crosses from the other flank.
Archetype
This sort of style benefits teams that play with inside forwards i.e. wingers who like to cut in when they have the ball. When the winger leaves the flank, the full back fills in which maintains width. This opens up spaces and small pockets for the attacking team.
This sort of style benefits teams that play with inside forwards i.e. wingers who like to cut in when they have the ball. When the winger leaves the flank, the full back fills in which maintains width. This opens up spaces and small pockets for the attacking team.
Archetype
There are some left backs who play more on the ball than off it. Alex Telles and Luke Shaw are two examples. Reguilón, on the other hand, prefers off-ball offence in that he constantly makes over/underlaps and frequently looks to create space with dummy runs.
There are some left backs who play more on the ball than off it. Alex Telles and Luke Shaw are two examples. Reguilón, on the other hand, prefers off-ball offence in that he constantly makes over/underlaps and frequently looks to create space with dummy runs.
Archetype
Furthermore, he is a hands-on defender i.e. he likes to challenge for the ball. He tends to do this further up the pitch but withholds when defending deeper. He is quite fast which he has used to his advantage this season multiple times going both ways.
Furthermore, he is a hands-on defender i.e. he likes to challenge for the ball. He tends to do this further up the pitch but withholds when defending deeper. He is quite fast which he has used to his advantage this season multiple times going both ways.
Appraisal: Strength I
One of Reguilón's strengths is his rate of productivity despite not receiving the ball as much as other left backs in the world. For Sevilla in 2019/20, he received the ball around 32.2 times per 90. For relatively, Shaw averaged 37.0 per 90 for United.
One of Reguilón's strengths is his rate of productivity despite not receiving the ball as much as other left backs in the world. For Sevilla in 2019/20, he received the ball around 32.2 times per 90. For relatively, Shaw averaged 37.0 per 90 for United.
Appraisal: Strength I
This is despite Sevilla keeping possession for 31:30 minutes per game whilst United kept it slightly less at 31:06. However, because United are so left-side dominant, Shaw received more possession.
Reguilón's receptions will increase at United.
This is despite Sevilla keeping possession for 31:30 minutes per game whilst United kept it slightly less at 31:06. However, because United are so left-side dominant, Shaw received more possession.
Reguilón's receptions will increase at United.
Appraisal: Strength II
Another strength is where Reguilón likes to receive possession. He likes to receive the ball at the edge of the opposition box whilst the zonal map below also shows how wide he likes to remain too, offering greater width for his team.
Another strength is where Reguilón likes to receive possession. He likes to receive the ball at the edge of the opposition box whilst the zonal map below also shows how wide he likes to remain too, offering greater width for his team.
Appraisal: Strength II
His heatmap emphasises how frequently he receives possession in higher areas. He will often find himself in advanced positions and has quality at the end of it too as we will come to see now.
His heatmap emphasises how frequently he receives possession in higher areas. He will often find himself in advanced positions and has quality at the end of it too as we will come to see now.
Appraisal: Strength III
When he receives possession he often remains wider, playing in dangerous balls. Alternatively, he drives into the box and either shoots or crosses/passes dangerously.
He has a very diverse skillset offensively speaking.
When he receives possession he often remains wider, playing in dangerous balls. Alternatively, he drives into the box and either shoots or crosses/passes dangerously.
He has a very diverse skillset offensively speaking.
Appraisal: Strength IV
Probably his best strength is his variety of delivery. I spent a few days tracking his repertoire and it was filled with an array of talent and intelligence.
One can see just how offensively proficient he is simply by the visualisation below.
Probably his best strength is his variety of delivery. I spent a few days tracking his repertoire and it was filled with an array of talent and intelligence.
One can see just how offensively proficient he is simply by the visualisation below.
Appraisal: Strength V
One of his underrated strengths is how active he is defensively. Not only does he defend his own flank but he is consistently ready to defend [deeper] crosses as well as other dangerous passes played into the box.
He has a fantastic engine alongside that.
![Appraisal: Strength VOne of his underrated strengths is how active he is defensively. Not only does he defend his own flank but he is consistently ready to defend [deeper] crosses as well as other dangerous passes played into the box.He has a fantastic engine alongside that.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhU9lFVWkAEV3Bv.jpg "Appraisal: Strength VOne of his underrated strengths is how active he is defensively. Not only does he defend his own flank but he is consistently ready to defend [deeper] crosses as well as other dangerous passes played into the box.He has a fantastic engine alongside that.")
![Appraisal: Strength VOne of his underrated strengths is how active he is defensively. Not only does he defend his own flank but he is consistently ready to defend [deeper] crosses as well as other dangerous passes played into the box.He has a fantastic engine alongside that.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhU9lfcXcAAdnIc.jpg "Appraisal: Strength VOne of his underrated strengths is how active he is defensively. Not only does he defend his own flank but he is consistently ready to defend [deeper] crosses as well as other dangerous passes played into the box.He has a fantastic engine alongside that.")
One of his underrated strengths is how active he is defensively. Not only does he defend his own flank but he is consistently ready to defend [deeper] crosses as well as other dangerous passes played into the box.
He has a fantastic engine alongside that.
Appraisal: Strength VI
Lastly, look at the heatmap below. You will see how he cuts in from the left flank and drives to the box as he is challenged. He ends up increasing in gravity due to opposition trying to stop him. Consequently, his teammates find themselves with space.
Lastly, look at the heatmap below. You will see how he cuts in from the left flank and drives to the box as he is challenged. He ends up increasing in gravity due to opposition trying to stop him. Consequently, his teammates find themselves with space.
Appraisal: Weaknesses I
One of his weaknesses is where he gets challenged on the ball. The below heatmap is typical of an offensive-minded full back. However, there is a little too much heat in his own half. This comes due to him sometimes not releasing the ball fast enough.
One of his weaknesses is where he gets challenged on the ball. The below heatmap is typical of an offensive-minded full back. However, there is a little too much heat in his own half. This comes due to him sometimes not releasing the ball fast enough.
Appraisal: Weaknesses II
In addition, he is not aerially dominant with a duel success of just 57%. However, this is just off Shaw's 58% success this season. The difference is that Shaw is stronger which sometimes allows him to fend off opposition. Reguilón cannot do this much.
In addition, he is not aerially dominant with a duel success of just 57%. However, this is just off Shaw's 58% success this season. The difference is that Shaw is stronger which sometimes allows him to fend off opposition. Reguilón cannot do this much.
Appraisal: Weaknesses III
He defensive workrate, a strength, is also a weakness because he sometimes runs out of position in a bid to intercept passes or challenge for balls and he leaves space in behind.
This does not occur frequently but enough for me to mention it.
He defensive workrate, a strength, is also a weakness because he sometimes runs out of position in a bid to intercept passes or challenge for balls and he leaves space in behind.
This does not occur frequently but enough for me to mention it.
Overall Appraisal
Reguilón is a good on-ball defender (guarding the ball possessor) and an above average off-ball defender (guarding space and runners). He is an excellent on and off-ball attacker.
I view him as a mid-tier good player but closer to excellent than above average.
Reguilón is a good on-ball defender (guarding the ball possessor) and an above average off-ball defender (guarding space and runners). He is an excellent on and off-ball attacker.
I view him as a mid-tier good player but closer to excellent than above average.
Analysis
Reguilón would simply slot in as a LB. With Solskjær looking for greater offensive quality he will most likely side with Reguilón should he choose to buy him.
His off-ball style suits Marcus Rashford a lot and both of them will command attention down the left.
Reguilón would simply slot in as a LB. With Solskjær looking for greater offensive quality he will most likely side with Reguilón should he choose to buy him.
His off-ball style suits Marcus Rashford a lot and both of them will command attention down the left.
Assessment
Manchester United need a left back mostly due to Shaw receiving injuries and Brandon Williams’ deficiencies as a competent replacement. Reguilón would immediately be an upgrade on both players. However, United will need to negotiate firmly with Real Madrid.
Manchester United need a left back mostly due to Shaw receiving injuries and Brandon Williams’ deficiencies as a competent replacement. Reguilón would immediately be an upgrade on both players. However, United will need to negotiate firmly with Real Madrid.
Assessment II
There are rumours that Madrid will insert a buy-back clause. The issue with this is that Solskjær wants to build a team to stay together for years and the LB position is a dominating one in the team. To have Reguilón for just a season or two is problematic.
There are rumours that Madrid will insert a buy-back clause. The issue with this is that Solskjær wants to build a team to stay together for years and the LB position is a dominating one in the team. To have Reguilón for just a season or two is problematic.
Assessment III
If United can remove such a clause from the table — even if the fee is increased as a result to €35m-odd — then it would be an excellent deal. However, if the clause remains then Solskjær might end up looking elsewhere.
If United can remove such a clause from the table — even if the fee is increased as a result to €35m-odd — then it would be an excellent deal. However, if the clause remains then Solskjær might end up looking elsewhere.
Summary
Reguilón is a mid-tier good player with plenty of upside. He is not a world class LB nor would I call him excellent just yet. However, he displays excellence offensively on a frequent basis which could turn him into an excellent player overall — maybe better.
Reguilón is a mid-tier good player with plenty of upside. He is not a world class LB nor would I call him excellent just yet. However, he displays excellence offensively on a frequent basis which could turn him into an excellent player overall — maybe better.
Conclusion
We are slowly building our squad for the future. However, with the 2020/21 season due to begin, we need to complete deals faster than usual. Personally, I would like us to sign him.
End of Thread.
We are slowly building our squad for the future. However, with the 2020/21 season due to begin, we need to complete deals faster than usual. Personally, I would like us to sign him.
End of Thread.
