Read on Twitter
Alright, before I get on the bike allow me explain to some of you mere mortals exactly what's going on here(or what 'isn't' going on), obviously there's a lot going on i.e frantic incomplete passes but am just going to point out the basics. (3MR Video Analysis!11) https://twitter.com/Juanin10i/status/1319190699640803330
Now before a player gets on the ball, first you need to be aware where you are, a top player scans 4-6 times before they get on the ball(according to Wenger), this allows you to prepare for a duel i.e how to position your body in relation to your surroundings. (00:29 Kante)
Another instance where Kante finds himself in a position where he has no idea where the opponent is(00:19) ends up passing back to Mendy who's already under pressure so Mendy has no choice but to get rid of the ball. Also there are rules on how to receive with back to goal (next)
In the first 2 screenshots, Kante has his back towards Sevilla's goal but watch exactly his body position, he's literally oriented towards the passer, the right way is to be oriented side-on i.e back towards the touchline that way you can you can receive on the back foot.
Recieving on the back foot helps you put your body between you & the opponent, also it allow you to keep your knees bent to ensure stability plus support an explosive take off. Watch Zouma do exactly this (01:49). This is what Kante has failed to do.
Exhibit 00:58, Kante doesn't scan, tries to use his arms to find the opponent but Sevilla are smart & keeping their distances because "don't get too tight against dribblers" (they probably thought Kovacic would start) but instead, Kante can't control & instead he's created a 3v1.
01:10; This looks like a terrible idea from Jorgi but it's safe because Chelsea have numbers behind the ball(& you can see we quickly get back into shape after Mount turnover, but why is Mount high? Shouldn't he be close to Kante & pull Sevilla inside so Chilwell can be free?)
01:49; Now this is an interesting situation, if Chelsea lost this game some weirdo would've quickly made this screenshot & come tell us all about "space in midfield". This is what they call a "press-trap", even though de Jong gets on the ball Chelsea quickly close up on him.
These are normal situations, sometimes preplanned, because if de Jong doesn't pass it backwards quickly, Jorginho & Silva are eating him a live, so next time you see a screenshot like this ask the guy who made it for the whole clip because "time is the difference not distance".
Last clip obviously underlines our naivety in passing & this is Jorginho fucking about.
Long story short, in these types of games Kovacic is the key, he knows all about body orientation, back-foot dynamics etc & creating holes in high press situations.
Long story short, in these types of games Kovacic is the key, he knows all about body orientation, back-foot dynamics etc & creating holes in high press situations.
