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THREAD:
Jadon Sancho — a Unique Footballer.
Jadon Sancho — a Unique Footballer.
This thread will discuss the uniqueness regarding Sancho's style of play. It is not a discussion on his quality per se as that is quite established as of now.
Sancho's uniqueness comes via three elements:
• positional specificity and flexibility
• adaptation of play
• skillset
Each one will be demonstrated and explained.
• positional specificity and flexibility
• adaptation of play
• skillset
Each one will be demonstrated and explained.
Positional Specificity (PS) and Flexibility (PF)
PS refers to how Sancho, regardless of the wing he is operating on, likes to remain out wide, holding his width and spreading the opposition as a result.
PF refers to how Sancho can easily play on both flanks without an issue.
PS refers to how Sancho, regardless of the wing he is operating on, likes to remain out wide, holding his width and spreading the opposition as a result.
PF refers to how Sancho can easily play on both flanks without an issue.
This is his pass reception heatmap from the last two seasons. Firstly, look at the width he maintains on either flank. Yes, he drifts in from both here and there but to have his most dense areas (yellow) so close to the touchline is not common.
Most right-footed LWs who are goalscorers or creators drift inside when play off the left. Jadon Sancho, on the other hand, remains outside. Have a look at the heatmap on the left. This is when he has started as a LW since 2018.
If we compare this to a player like Sadio Mané, we see the Liverpool forward cutting inwards. Sancho remains out wide despite being both an excellent goalscorer and creator.
Most right-footed RWs are the same. They tend to drift onto the inside unless they are blessed with exceptional pace (e.g. Traoré). If so, they tend to remain wide and move to the byline. Sancho is not blessed with explosive pace but still remains out wide on the right.
Here is Sancho compared to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. With Salah being left-footed it is expected he would cut inside naturally. However, a very similar heatmap is seen with both Ronaldo and Mbappé when they play off the right.
It is not seen with Sancho.
It is not seen with Sancho.
Likewise, he is completely comfortable playing on either side. Most right-footed LWs are not good off the right as they love to cut in. Sancho is completely different. His performance and productivity do not decline when he plays on the right.
Why is this? Well…
Why is this? Well…
It is because he changes the way he plays. He doesn't just try to repeat the same processes he goes through on the left. Rather, he switches it up entirely as will be briefly broken down below.
Adaptation of Play
This is an important aspect of a player. We have recently discussed Bruno Fernandes finishing Portugal games with 85-91% pass retention whilst he plays as a RCM in a 4-3-3. His ability to adapt his style regardless of position is not a common trait.
This is an important aspect of a player. We have recently discussed Bruno Fernandes finishing Portugal games with 85-91% pass retention whilst he plays as a RCM in a 4-3-3. His ability to adapt his style regardless of position is not a common trait.
With footballers being increasingly cultivated into roles (e.g. deep-lying playmaker, false nine, inside forwards, wing backs, etc) there is a lack of adaptation being taught to them when it comes to playing in alternative positions.
This is why you have rarely seen Lionel Messi play as a LW or Neymar play as a RW. It disrupts their usual angles and they do not play as effectively. Sancho, on the other hand, is able to play on both flanks and in deeper or higher areas.
So, how does Sancho adapt?
He adapts his game to one of a ball-dominant player. This means he ends up carrying the ball, taking on various players in deeper positions and has a greater tendency to engage in challenges on the right than on the left.
He adapts his game to one of a ball-dominant player. This means he ends up carrying the ball, taking on various players in deeper positions and has a greater tendency to engage in challenges on the right than on the left.
It is almost as if he becomes a traditional right midfielder in a 4-4-2 from the 90s/00s. Again, this level of adaptation — he does not lose any productivity — is not normal and makes him even more unique when added to the previous points.
Also, as he is a fantastic off-ball contributor, his performances rarely decline whenever Dortmund do not have the ball. His pass retention remains high, his dribble successes and duelling success remain high and much more.
This is regardless of his position — left or right.
This is regardless of his position — left or right.
Lastly, most right-footed forwards tend to operate more in the central areas above the midfield and below the forward line. However, look at Sancho's heat. He is hardly in that position. Why? As mentioned: he loves to spread the pitch by remaining on the wings.
Rare.
Rare.
Skillset
Despite wanting to remain on the wings, Sancho is still able to finish season campaigns with near 40-goal contributions, evenly split between goals and assists! Most wingers only do this because they cut inside and essentially play as second strikers.
Sancho…doesn't.
Despite wanting to remain on the wings, Sancho is still able to finish season campaigns with near 40-goal contributions, evenly split between goals and assists! Most wingers only do this because they cut inside and essentially play as second strikers.
Sancho…doesn't.
Look at the amount of incisive passes that start from inside the box. This is another reason why he is unique. He is not a wasteful creator. In fact, his incisive pass completion rate is above 60%. Only Benzema (67%) and Mahrez (63%) are better from 2019/20.
Nevertheless, as his angles are different on the right, he adapts his style of play to ensure that he can still drive into the box when needed. Then, add his scoring prowess on top even though he does not play the role of a second striker (e.g. Salah, Mané, Mbappé, etc).
Sancho's uniqueness, coupled with his quality, makes him a special player. He is not only a top tier talent but he has a distinct style of play no other [top] player imitates to or at his level. It is why he is so valuable to Dortmund and why the fee is rumoured to be €120m.
Summary:
• Sancho can play on either wing equally as well
• He prefers staying out wide than drifting in
• He still creates in the box and scores in abundance
• Sancho can play on either wing equally as well
• He prefers staying out wide than drifting in
• He still creates in the box and scores in abundance
Conclusion I:
He is a borderline world class player despite being so young. On top of that, his playstyle is distinct from every other player such as his tactical and positional specificity and flexibility, him being an actual winger, his proficiency on either side, and more.
He is a borderline world class player despite being so young. On top of that, his playstyle is distinct from every other player such as his tactical and positional specificity and flexibility, him being an actual winger, his proficiency on either side, and more.
Conclusion II:
When one of the best players in the world is so young, diverse, distinct and unique, paying €120m for him is a more than worthwhile investment.
United should *NOT* let this player slip out of their hands.
End of Thread.
When one of the best players in the world is so young, diverse, distinct and unique, paying €120m for him is a more than worthwhile investment.
United should *NOT* let this player slip out of their hands.
End of Thread.
