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Alex Telles was signed from FC Porto last summer for £13.5m and now competes with Luke Shaw for the left-back spot, an upgrade from Brandon Williams.
Telles:
— 10 starts
Shaw:
— 16 starts
The two of them have started twice together with Shaw at LCB in a back three.
Telles:
— 10 starts
Shaw:
— 16 starts
The two of them have started twice together with Shaw at LCB in a back three.
Both of these left-backs have different qualities, and this thread will help explain each of their strengths and how they help United.
Firstly, we will look at the qualities that Alex Telles offers United and then Luke Shaw.
All stats: @fbref + @WhoScored
Firstly, we will look at the qualities that Alex Telles offers United and then Luke Shaw.
All stats: @fbref + @WhoScored
Alex Telles — main qualities
• Crossing + set-piece threat
• Holding the width
• Progressive play
• Intensity in defence
• Crossing + set-piece threat
• Holding the width
• Progressive play
• Intensity in defence
Crossing + set-piece threat —
With 25 assists in the last two seasons. Many United fans were excited about this quality of Telles’.
He has just 1 assist for United so far but averages 2.73 shot-creating actions per 90. (PL)
To compare, Andy Robertson is averaging 2.76 per 90.
With 25 assists in the last two seasons. Many United fans were excited about this quality of Telles’.
He has just 1 assist for United so far but averages 2.73 shot-creating actions per 90. (PL)
To compare, Andy Robertson is averaging 2.76 per 90.
Because of the whip and speed that Telles can generate on his crosses, he can cross from many areas on the left-flank and does not need to take on a man.
He is best when there is space to cross in between the opposition backline and goalkeeper, as shown in the image below.
He is best when there is space to cross in between the opposition backline and goalkeeper, as shown in the image below.
The threat that Telles poses from his crosses will often mean that the opposition backline will drop, yet this means there is more territory and potential space for United to work with.
An example of the opposition dropping when Telles is in possession is shown below.
An example of the opposition dropping when Telles is in possession is shown below.
While Telles possesses such danger on the wing, United are still getting used to having this outlet, and sometimes ignore the pass wide, even if Telles is in an optimal crossing position.
There is an example below. https://twitter.com/cainsmithMU/status/1330832155782635520?s=20
There is an example below. https://twitter.com/cainsmithMU/status/1330832155782635520?s=20
On his debut (vs PSG), Telles was dangerous from his corners, especially the inswinging ones. Yet, in the PL, he has taken 16 and only 2 have been inswingers.
There could be multiple reasons for this:
The opposition personnel (e.g. a dominant GK), a tactical approach or the fact the Telles does not have great recovery pace and it would put him on the complete opposite side of the pitch to his position.
The opposition personnel (e.g. a dominant GK), a tactical approach or the fact the Telles does not have great recovery pace and it would put him on the complete opposite side of the pitch to his position.
Nevertheless, Telles still produces good crosses with outswingers and offers United a solid left-footed option from free-kicks too.
Fernandes' first goal vs İstanbul Başakşehir (H) is an example of a good delivery from Telles, causing a poor clearance to Bruno, but no assist.
Fernandes' first goal vs İstanbul Başakşehir (H) is an example of a good delivery from Telles, causing a poor clearance to Bruno, but no assist.
Holding the width —
Partly because of his crossing, Telles holds the width on the left side very well.
This will impact the LW that Telles is playing with, they can operate closer to goal as Telles is providing the width and stretching the opposition backline on the left side.
Partly because of his crossing, Telles holds the width on the left side very well.
This will impact the LW that Telles is playing with, they can operate closer to goal as Telles is providing the width and stretching the opposition backline on the left side.
Here is an example of this.
Since Telles is operating high and wide, Rashford can be more central and make a nice run in behind the SU backline and score.
Since Telles is operating high and wide, Rashford can be more central and make a nice run in behind the SU backline and score.
This seems simple, but it has been a problem at United, even if Shaw has improved in this aspect this season.
Telles consistently offers width and that ultimately helps United in possession.
Telles consistently offers width and that ultimately helps United in possession.
Progressive play —
Telles is a forward-thinking LB and in most cases when he receives the ball, wants to progress it, mainly through his passing rather than his carries.
Telles is a forward-thinking LB and in most cases when he receives the ball, wants to progress it, mainly through his passing rather than his carries.
Telles will usually drive into open space but doesn't quite have the strength and speed to do so on the flank when he's in a footrace or has to bypass a player.
The Portuguese averages 0.2 dribbles per 90 in the PL; Luke Shaw averages 1.2 to compare.
The Portuguese averages 0.2 dribbles per 90 in the PL; Luke Shaw averages 1.2 to compare.
Telles offers progressiveness through his passing, averaging 7.08 progressive passes per 90 in the PL and 5.42 passes into the final third per 90.
He's good at finding players in spaces between the lines and often plays lofted passes in behind his opposite full-back.
He's good at finding players in spaces between the lines and often plays lofted passes in behind his opposite full-back.
Below there are two examples of the lofted pass.
It is a solid form of quick progression and works well against high lines.
But it is a difficult pass to deal with as the receiver since they'll usually be running away from goal and will have to hold it up.
It is a solid form of quick progression and works well against high lines.
But it is a difficult pass to deal with as the receiver since they'll usually be running away from goal and will have to hold it up.
Here is an example of Telles looking to progress through playing to a player between the lines.
Although Matic passes behind him, Telles already knows that Rashford is operating between the lines and immediately turns and passes to him - he then receives back on the overlap.
Although Matic passes behind him, Telles already knows that Rashford is operating between the lines and immediately turns and passes to him - he then receives back on the overlap.
Intensity in defence —
While it is quite clear that Shaw is the defensively superior of the two, Telles still holds his own in defensive situations; mainly because of his high intensity defending.
It allows him to react quickly to situations and make interceptions, etc.
While it is quite clear that Shaw is the defensively superior of the two, Telles still holds his own in defensive situations; mainly because of his high intensity defending.
It allows him to react quickly to situations and make interceptions, etc.
Here is an example of this.
Telles has a narrow position but as soon as the ball looks like it's going to be played into the wide area; he springs into a sprint towards the wing. This allows him to head the ball out for a throw-in before the ball reaches its target.
Telles has a narrow position but as soon as the ball looks like it's going to be played into the wide area; he springs into a sprint towards the wing. This allows him to head the ball out for a throw-in before the ball reaches its target.
Luke Shaw — main qualities
• Comfortability in possession
• Progressive play
• Combination play in attack
• Defensive ability
• Comfortability in possession
• Progressive play
• Combination play in attack
• Defensive ability
Comfortability in possession —
This is a great asset, especially in the build-up phase. His comfort in possession means that he can avoid a press through either a pass or dribble, his strength and usage of his body also allow him to protect the ball fairly well when pressed.
This is a great asset, especially in the build-up phase. His comfort in possession means that he can avoid a press through either a pass or dribble, his strength and usage of his body also allow him to protect the ball fairly well when pressed.
While it seems easy, to keep possession moving with quick, accurate passes in the 1st and 2nd phases is important and Shaw does so with great efficiency.
He has a 92.2% accuracy in his short passes (5-15 yards) this PL season.
Examples of Shaw's comfort on the ball are below.
He has a 92.2% accuracy in his short passes (5-15 yards) this PL season.
Examples of Shaw's comfort on the ball are below.
Progressive play —
While comfortability is useful, it is his progressive passing and carries which make Shaw very important in both the 1st and 2nd phases of offensive play.
It’s not needed as much when Matic plays, but when he doesn't, Shaw is usually a primary progressor.
While comfortability is useful, it is his progressive passing and carries which make Shaw very important in both the 1st and 2nd phases of offensive play.
It’s not needed as much when Matic plays, but when he doesn't, Shaw is usually a primary progressor.
Shaw averages 5.41 progressive passes per 90 in the PL and often looks to play to inside passes to players operating between the lines or in the half-spaces.
He's also a powerful runner and can progress the ball this way too.
Examples of both methods of progression are below.
He's also a powerful runner and can progress the ball this way too.
Examples of both methods of progression are below.
Combination play in attack —
United are a team who use quick combinations in the final third a lot, so the more players who can facilitate this the better.
Shaw technique helps him in these situations, but so does his awareness of where to be positioned and where to move.
United are a team who use quick combinations in the final third a lot, so the more players who can facilitate this the better.
Shaw technique helps him in these situations, but so does his awareness of where to be positioned and where to move.
Shaw knows the importance of the half-space in attacking play and combinations. When Rashford, or whoever is LW, is positioned in a wide area, Shaw will occupy the half-space so that better combinations can occur.
A clear example of this is shown below.
A clear example of this is shown below.
Shaw's comfortability on the ball and in tight areas help him when combining with the forward players, who want to play with just 1 or 2 touches when combining.
Shaw is one reason behind why United attack more on the left, he combines better than Wan-Bissaka does.
Shaw is one reason behind why United attack more on the left, he combines better than Wan-Bissaka does.
Here is an example where Shaw is found in the half-space by Maguire. He quickly turns and pops the ball to Rashford in the wide position and makes a run beyond the opposition backline, creating space for Rashford to drive into.
Here is a second example showing Shaw's intelligence in attacking situations.
He starts in the wide position but after Rashford moves there, Shaw moves into the half-space as it is not occupied and plays a nice one-two with his winger in order to get beyond the backline.
He starts in the wide position but after Rashford moves there, Shaw moves into the half-space as it is not occupied and plays a nice one-two with his winger in order to get beyond the backline.
Defensive ability —
In defensive one-on-one situations, Shaw is very impressive. His body shape is good and his reaction-time is pretty quick, this means he doesn't need to dive into many tackles. Though, when he does, his strength in the tackle is solid.
In defensive one-on-one situations, Shaw is very impressive. His body shape is good and his reaction-time is pretty quick, this means he doesn't need to dive into many tackles. Though, when he does, his strength in the tackle is solid.
Shaw has tackled 60% of the dribblers he has faced this season in the PL, a very impressive number. Robertson’s percentage is at just 40%.
In the below example we can see his body shape and angled run allows him to react if Torres was to cut inside or go down the wing.
In the below example we can see his body shape and angled run allows him to react if Torres was to cut inside or go down the wing.
Conclusion —
Ultimately, these are two different left-backs, who offer different qualities. Their weaknesses have not been spoken on in this thread, as it would be too long.
Telles has brought a new dynamic at left-back and offered much-needed competition for Shaw at the club.
Ultimately, these are two different left-backs, who offer different qualities. Their weaknesses have not been spoken on in this thread, as it would be too long.
Telles has brought a new dynamic at left-back and offered much-needed competition for Shaw at the club.
Thank you for reading this thread!
Please comment on what your opinion is on both Shaw and Telles and if you have any recommendations for future threads, we would love to read them!
Please comment on what your opinion is on both Shaw and Telles and if you have any recommendations for future threads, we would love to read them!
Also, be sure to check out @GraphicsGhous_, he made the beautiful graphic at the top of this thread and consistently makes great edits for our account!
