Thread by @Blades_analytic

Thread - Rhian Brewster #sufc

The 20 year old striker earns a club record move to the Blades. Here's what Blades fans can expect to see with Brewster's strengths/areas of improvement highlighted and what i feel he'll add to the Blades front line.

Using @insightMrkt player profiles tool we can see that based on his small time at Swansea Brewster was a clinical & accurate shooter. Over performing his xG by a large amount considering the sample but still getting into good enough areas and getting a lot of shots away

Brewster is very different from the current Blades crop. He isn't a striker who waits for big chances in the box only, as soon as he has a sight of the goal he strikes ball. His ball striking technique is excellent, often on target and with power so that GKs have to parry.

Brewster's shot map from his team at the Swans shows a player both capable of creating separation inside the box to get on the end of high value chances & someone not afraid to pull the trigger outside the box, often at the end of a dribble.

This shot map shows the shots Brewster took at Swansea that were 1 touch only, 1st time strikes without need to control ball. The encouraging shot placement here, the centralised congestion, the outcome of those shots with a high % being a goal are very positive.

So what type of striker is he? He's someone who's going to take a fairly high volume of shots! Here we see how he peels off Janssen and as soon as he has a yard he hits the ball. This is a consistent element of his game & something the Blades do currently lack.

Another example here of the 1st time shot no control. Ball runs loose to him and he's completely aware of his angles & positioning. Unleashes a powerful shot which the GK has to parry.

Yet another example here (don't worry goals are coming!!) Ball gets turned over high and he sees the frame of the goal and shoots. Is the better option to pass? possibly so. His decision making could improve in this aspect but the shot volume could be vital for a Blades side.

here's my absolute favourite of his last season. Look at the positioning, quick reaction to sort his feet & body angle out. His movement makes a yard of space and on his weaker foot he finishes so clinically 1st time.

Again another 1 touch finish. This is a little more akin to a SUFC move. Ball into the box, 1st contact keeps the ball alive and his ability to be in the right place, in space, inside the area is excellent. Another clean strike gives the GK no chance from that range.

This one against SWFC another that has my attention. The reactions to make the 1st half step before the defender does to get the half a yard needed to get the shot away is Sharp-esque. Another top class finish too with clean strike again.

This one Brewster actually drops to look to contribute to buildup but then aggressively attacks the back post space, the adjustment to meet the cross half a yard behind, keep his body position for balance & get strike on target impressive.

Love this example of how he can pivot in the buildup. Brilliant 1-2 executed with Ayew, releases the wide man into space, then reacts by aggressively attacking front post space in between the 2 CBs, always knows where the goal is at all times.

Can he drop into midfield and link play? yes he has the skillset to do so.

The goal is ridiculous (shot location shoulder devil having words with me here) but just impressed by his spatial awareness to again find the space this time deeper.

So can he link play properly & find runners/targets? yes.

He's very intelligent at dropping short, if CBs don't follow him he'll get on the half turn and is capable of picking good passes to release others.

This little 1 touch left foot lay off was a bit of a trademark last season. Ultimately this leads to nothing but the intelligence of space to note the CB has followed him in & therefore vacated the line he knows instantly to pop it off and hope runners are beyond him. He's smart.

Brewster isn't the quickest. More in the defoe mould of good acceleration but not blistering top speed. What he is good at though is sensing when he's alone with no support and buying the foul.

Example of everything Utd have lacked for a while. The ability to drift off the DF & receive the pass but moreso the ability to create just half a yard on either foot and unleash a powerful shot. This is a huge element of what he brings, he can create his own shots.

So to sumamrise:
Blades had lowest shots per game in the league last season. They create high quality but low volume chances. How does Brewster impact that? he compliements the high quality, 1 touch penalty area shots for sure BUT....

He adds an ability to create his own shots if 1v1, to have a high shot production around the box and in essence to apply more pressure & threat to the opposition goal. His data suggests last season was a little too clinical but there's technical aspects to explain some of that...

with how hard he hits the ball & how accurate he is. His link up play can be improved, especially when asked to hold the ball up but he's intelligent, he can drop and combine to release others and can move the ball quickly. He'll play with a partner at the Blades.....

Which i think will suit him. He struck up a good relationship with Ayew at Swansea and if he can do the same here he can provide the missing clinical/shot output and let the others bring the link play & duel work off the ball.

Extremely excited. Needs time & patience but this is one of England's best young strikers, who has massive improvement to make but can make a difference now too. Support the kid, give him time & there's no telling how big the ceiling is.

#twitterblades #sufc @RhianBrewster9