Thread by @SwedishRumble

Rumors have #MUFC looking to sell Antony Elanga this season. This is a topic I have had a strong opinion on all season. Why? A🧵.👇

https://twitter.com/centredevils/status/1663842446143520768

I like Antony Elanga a lot, as a proud Swede, and I think his play this season to a large extent has been marred by poor confidence. But I 100% think he should be sold, not loaned out. Why? He does not at all fit into ETH's system. (2/n)

As illustrated above, what set Pep's style apart, which ETH is heavily influenced by after working with Pep in Bayern's organization and also employs, is the use of the wide wingers and inverting FBs. This is a radical changes from the inverting w:s and overlapping FBs. (3/n)

Why have this change been made? It is about creating safe passing options in the transition phase. It is simple, if you move a lot of players up and can pin the opponent down you get a massive advantage. The problem is getting there. What is the best option to get up pitch? (4/n)

With a CB on the ball, a player starting high up pitch moving towards the ball -- is naturally much harder to press than the player looking at the ball over his shoulder moving up pitch. The defending LB/RB simply cannot get to the ball if the white passes below are made.(5/n)

This set very specific requirements on a ETH winger. Since the most important ability for this player is to be able to take a pass from a CB, and then move the ball up pitch, (a) you want the RW to be left footed and the LW to be right footed. (6/n)

(b) The winger must also be able to take a pass with a defender on his back, and shield the ball. I.e. be strong on the ball. (c) And you want the winger to be smart on the ball, have a lot of playmaking ability. Does Bernado Silva and Graelish tic these boxes? To a T. (7/n)

Does Antony? Definitely. Does Rashford? Nah, but ETH has made a big adjustment accommodating Rashford, who plays more like an inside forward. (8/n)

Before we cover Elanga, lets first touch upon the yellow squares on each side high up pitch, which are a huge part of this tactic. Since we do not populate these areas, but press hard with centralized runs, the opponent cannot zone mark them. If one of our...(9/n)

...players initiate a run ensuring him to beat any opponent into the square -- we can safely put a pass into it. How many times haven't seen KDB pop into these open squares, and then deliver an assist from there? Too many. (10/n)

So over to Antony Elanga. He is just and will not within many years be a player who fits that mold. And if he did, it would be at LW. And honestly, Pellestri is also not a great fit at RW either. The white lines indicate the passing options the RW must be able to make..(11/n)

...after taking a pass from the CB and with a defender pressing him hard from behind. This is why its so important to have a left foot at RW. This is also why I am more or less certain that Sancho never will push Antony out of the squad at RW for any longer stretches. (11/n)

Antony Elanga is a pretty common player type, explosive, technical, hard working. Many teams put them on the wing, kind of like a "raumdeuter" almost. Antony Gordon is another example. In ETH's system -- these guys just don't have a spot on the wing. 3-5 years ago,...(12/n)

...I am fairly certain that someone sits Elanga down and tells him that long term, they see him as FB. Its there or at striker, that you can play in ETH's system if you aren't a really creative and skilled player. Or in case of emergency, AMC. (13/n)

For me its not about Elanga not having "any" chance to become a player for us. But it would take a huge investment, I cannot see the cost for that in terms of affording the player growth time etc worth it. (14/14)