THREAD:
Donny van de Beek
— what is his playstyle?
— how good is he?
— how will he fit in?
Donny van de Beek
— what is his playstyle?
— how good is he?
— how will he fit in?
This thread will look at the following:
• his playing style
• his strengths
• his weaknesses
• how he will fit in
• his playing style
• his strengths
• his weaknesses
• how he will fit in
Playing Style
Firstly, van de Beek is an offensive-minded player who is a traditional roamer. He likes to find space in the final third and often drifts into pockets to collect passes. This off-ball movement necessitates a deeper player who can play line-breaking passes.
Firstly, van de Beek is an offensive-minded player who is a traditional roamer. He likes to find space in the final third and often drifts into pockets to collect passes. This off-ball movement necessitates a deeper player who can play line-breaking passes.
Playing Style II
In addition, he is one of the most efficient midfielders in Europe with regard to his decision making. This is due to his excellent spacial awareness which not only allows him to play efficiently [by finding valuable space] but prevents him from trouble.
In addition, he is one of the most efficient midfielders in Europe with regard to his decision making. This is due to his excellent spacial awareness which not only allows him to play efficiently [by finding valuable space] but prevents him from trouble.
Playing Style III
Furthermore, he likes to drift out to either channel but focused his offensive production slightly more down the right-hand side for Ajax last season. This is valuable for us as the following graphic highlights just how left-sided dominant we are as a team:
Furthermore, he likes to drift out to either channel but focused his offensive production slightly more down the right-hand side for Ajax last season. This is valuable for us as the following graphic highlights just how left-sided dominant we are as a team:
Playing Style IV
Have a look at his pass reception zones. This is very similar to Paul Pogba's for us this season except Pogba plays a bit deeper. Van de Beek's drifting is highly valuable to Ajax because he draws players towards him into “no man's land” which others exploit.
Have a look at his pass reception zones. This is very similar to Paul Pogba's for us this season except Pogba plays a bit deeper. Van de Beek's drifting is highly valuable to Ajax because he draws players towards him into “no man's land” which others exploit.
Strengths
One of his strengths, and perhaps the main one, is his spacial awareness, similar to Thomas Müller, with regard to how he manipulates space to create opportunities for others.
This would be valuable for us in the final third where we frequently become congested.
One of his strengths, and perhaps the main one, is his spacial awareness, similar to Thomas Müller, with regard to how he manipulates space to create opportunities for others.
This would be valuable for us in the final third where we frequently become congested.
Strengths II
Van de Beek is one of the best off-ball defensive contributors in Europe. This map below looks at where he engaged defensively (2019/20) and, despite a few prominant areas, his work is all over the pitch.
This is something Ole Gunnar Solskjær will admire a lot.
Van de Beek is one of the best off-ball defensive contributors in Europe. This map below looks at where he engaged defensively (2019/20) and, despite a few prominant areas, his work is all over the pitch.
This is something Ole Gunnar Solskjær will admire a lot.
Strength III
Moreover, he is an excellent finisher and loves to find space in the box. He is not necessarily a profilic goalscorer as that requires a more goal-orientated mindset but once he is in the right zones his conversion is fantastic.
Note: one-touch finishes.
Moreover, he is an excellent finisher and loves to find space in the box. He is not necessarily a profilic goalscorer as that requires a more goal-orientated mindset but once he is in the right zones his conversion is fantastic.
Note: one-touch finishes.
Strengths IV
We mentioned his efficiency as part of his playing style. In addition to that, it is also one of his main strengths. Almost 54% of his shots from 2017-20 came from this centralised area in the box which highlights how careful he is.
We mentioned his efficiency as part of his playing style. In addition to that, it is also one of his main strengths. Almost 54% of his shots from 2017-20 came from this centralised area in the box which highlights how careful he is.
Strengths V
Do you remember when we discussed the “De Bruyne Zone” for crosses (i.e. crosses ending up in the 6-yard box)? Well, van de Beek is a subscriber to that school of thought!
Look at the end locations of his incisive passes! He loves the cutback and uses it often.
Do you remember when we discussed the “De Bruyne Zone” for crosses (i.e. crosses ending up in the 6-yard box)? Well, van de Beek is a subscriber to that school of thought!
Look at the end locations of his incisive passes! He loves the cutback and uses it often.
Strengths V¹
Also, notice how he attempts these passes from the flanks but mainly inside the box. He does not like to cross from deeper areas as much as he likes to find these pockets. It adds to his highly efficient playstyle which is extremely valuable.
Also, notice how he attempts these passes from the flanks but mainly inside the box. He does not like to cross from deeper areas as much as he likes to find these pockets. It adds to his highly efficient playstyle which is extremely valuable.
Strengths VI
One of his strengths is that he is a low usage player. In a way, we can say he is not a “ball hog”. The below map details his take-ons in the 2019/20 season. The average time before he passed after a take-on was just 2.26 seconds which is very efficient.
One of his strengths is that he is a low usage player. In a way, we can say he is not a “ball hog”. The below map details his take-ons in the 2019/20 season. The average time before he passed after a take-on was just 2.26 seconds which is very efficient.
Strengths VII
Lastly, there has been a lot of talk with United fans regarding pass completion. This isn't an issue with van de Beek. Due to his playstyle, spacial awareness and efficiency, he retains possession very well:
2017/18: 86.13%
2018/19: 82.93%
2019/20: 84.03%
Lastly, there has been a lot of talk with United fans regarding pass completion. This isn't an issue with van de Beek. Due to his playstyle, spacial awareness and efficiency, he retains possession very well:
2017/18: 86.13%
2018/19: 82.93%
2019/20: 84.03%
He has many other strengths but as this is a Twitter thread I will have to keep them brief. Along with these strengths he has some main weaknesses which we will mention now.
Weaknesses
Firstly, he is not a chance creator in the way a De Bruyne, Fernandes or Ziyech is. So, he does not rack up a large quantity of chances created. However, he does create high quality chances and this is where he excels. It is an issue of quantity vs quality.
Firstly, he is not a chance creator in the way a De Bruyne, Fernandes or Ziyech is. So, he does not rack up a large quantity of chances created. However, he does create high quality chances and this is where he excels. It is an issue of quantity vs quality.
Weakness II
Secondly, he is not a player who passes between the lines often. This is not to say he cannot do it but, rather, he does not frequently. In fact, he is more of a receiver of these passes. This means he might struggle in line-ups without a line-breaking passer.
Secondly, he is not a player who passes between the lines often. This is not to say he cannot do it but, rather, he does not frequently. In fact, he is more of a receiver of these passes. This means he might struggle in line-ups without a line-breaking passer.
Weaknesses III
There are some occasions where he will attempt an easier-to-make pass but due to its ease he sometimes passes with complacency. Some of the unsuccessful incisive pass attempts below are like that.
However, for the most part he is a solid passer.
There are some occasions where he will attempt an easier-to-make pass but due to its ease he sometimes passes with complacency. Some of the unsuccessful incisive pass attempts below are like that.
However, for the most part he is a solid passer.
Weaknesses IV
At times, he will attempt an easier-to-complete take-on but be outmuscled or make his movement a bit easier to read. Some of the unsuccessful take-ons in the map below are from that.
Generally, however, he picks and chooses his moments.
At times, he will attempt an easier-to-complete take-on but be outmuscled or make his movement a bit easier to read. Some of the unsuccessful take-ons in the map below are from that.
Generally, however, he picks and chooses his moments.
He has more weaknesses but I would class them as minor ones that younger players — he is still only 23 — grow out of with more experience.
The next section will discuss how he will fit into the team.
The next section will discuss how he will fit into the team.
How He Fits In
Van de Beek is a no. 10 for the most part. He is capable of drifting with verticality (higher and deeper) as well as with horizontality (left and right flanks). He is able to play anywhere behind the forward in our side.
Van de Beek is a no. 10 for the most part. He is capable of drifting with verticality (higher and deeper) as well as with horizontality (left and right flanks). He is able to play anywhere behind the forward in our side.
How He Fits In
Can he play in a pivot? Yes. However, he becomes largely limited there because his strengths — off-ball roaming, picking up pockets, playing on the turn, pressing, etc — become restricted. So, he is essentially a no. 10 and should not viewed of as a pivot player.
Can he play in a pivot? Yes. However, he becomes largely limited there because his strengths — off-ball roaming, picking up pockets, playing on the turn, pressing, etc — become restricted. So, he is essentially a no. 10 and should not viewed of as a pivot player.
How He Fits In
I suspect he will start many cup games and will start occasional league games depending on the situation. With Fernandes’ durability the chances of him starting as an AM are slim however he can slot in on either side and be effective.
I suspect he will start many cup games and will start occasional league games depending on the situation. With Fernandes’ durability the chances of him starting as an AM are slim however he can slot in on either side and be effective.
Summary
• van de Beek is an upper-tier good player
• he excels off the ball and is a space creator
• he is a hard-working midfielder
• he is not a great chance creator
• he is still quite young
Personally, I feel €40m (£35.7m) is an excellent deal for him.
• van de Beek is an upper-tier good player
• he excels off the ball and is a space creator
• he is a hard-working midfielder
• he is not a great chance creator
• he is still quite young
Personally, I feel €40m (£35.7m) is an excellent deal for him.
Conclusion
Last season we really struggled with depth to the extent that Solskjær would delay substitutions. Van de Beek is good enough to be starting for us in terms of his inherent quality and he would improve our depth massively.
End of Thread.
Last season we really struggled with depth to the extent that Solskjær would delay substitutions. Van de Beek is good enough to be starting for us in terms of his inherent quality and he would improve our depth massively.
End of Thread.
