Martin Terrier- The crème de la crème of Ball-striking.
For Ligue 1 fans Martin Terrier has been a known figure within the league since his debut for Lille against Bastia in October of 2016. Throughout his career Terrier has been a small contributor to his teams across Ligue 1 averaging a small 24.9 90s per season across all competitions from his debut season (16–17) to the past season (21–22). However Martin Terriers name has become widely known to football fans across the globe due to his past season producing 25 goal involvements in 37 appearances for Rennes in all competitions. Due to this Martin Terrier had gained major interest this summer window off major clubs and more specifically Leeds United who were linked with bringing the Frenchmen to the north of England for stages throughout the window.
In this article I analyse the profile of Martin Terrier, illustrating the type of player that he is.
Terrier is a 6ft left inside forward/ Striker. Terrier usually plays on the wide left in Rennes usual 4–3–3 or 4–2–3–1 dependent on personnel, however, Terriers position and role depends entirely on game state in order to maximize his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses as much as possible.
Within settled play in the last phase Rennes typically use a 3–3–4 formation with Martin Terrier taking up the left central position.
Terrier takes up this position during settled play due to multiple reasons the first being one of Terriers weaknesses is operating within tight and controlled areas. This is due to poor ball manipulation as his first touch is often inconsistent which doesn’t bode well when trying to beat a defender wide or having to constantly combine for ball progression. Rennes often progress the ball wide therefore Terrier doesn’t have to be a major cog in buildup within the 1st and 2nd phase of play, as his skillset isn’t made to operate successfully within these aspects of play as he would be a liability.
This allows Terrier to have the role of navigating to receive the ball with his great movement within close proximity to the specific zones (14 & 17) that he produces his best work from without to having indulge in his weaknesses of dribbling or combining with teams mates consistently to get there.
The second reason Terrier is placed within this area is one of his strengths is his movement around the central zones within the final phase of settled play. Terrier and his teammates know the positive outcomes that can arise if he gets the ball with a second of time within his preferred positions of Zone 14 & 17. Terrier has the ability to strike a ball with tamed ferocity like respected players such as Hulk & Podolski and newer names like Vlahovic, punishing opposing players who gave them time and space within these areas. Terrier also has the abnormal ability to get away quick shots with minimal back lift without having to sacrifice power like many do, enabling him to take fast and efficient ‘snap shots’ leaving the opposing defenders and goalkeeper with little time to react.
The last reason Terrier takes up this central position within the final phase is his ability to remain calm and relish within 1 on 1 situations with the goalkeeper. Rennes know if the opposition is playing a defensive line with space in behind, Terriers previously mentioned great movement paired with his strong acceleration he will be able to produce if he becomes free behind the oppositions back line. He often does this by standing on the left shoulder of the opposing right center back in between the opposing right fullback to receive the ball beyond him within the space, allowing him to have both options of opening up his body or striking across his body available when it comes to the moment of getting his shot away against the keeper to score.
However, as stated previously, Terriers final phase position and role is dependent on game situation. When Rennes is in transition or counter-attack situations, Martin Terrier is positioned wide left as this is where he is positioned when Rennes are within there defensive structure, therefore, when the ball is turned over this is the area he can be located. This position favors Terrier as he has great acceleration, therefore, with his heavy touches he can touch the ball into the space that is behind opposing defenders in the chaotic transition situations, cutting diagonally towards the zones he excels from.
If the ball is being transitioned on the opposite side of the pitch with Terriers good level of acceleration, he is able to often beat many opposing fullbacks running without the ball therefore he can get to optimal positions to score when the ball arrives to him from a cross or cutback.
Rennes set their systems up to benefit Terriers as much as possible. Terrier is a phenomenal player when he is played within specific zones with optimal angles, however, his weaknesses can be glaring when played within areas and zones that he struggles within. This may be the reason Terrier didn’t have much impact for his teams before the past season, however, Rennes have profiled Terrier correctly, hence why within the past season there was an extreme augmentation with his output. Due to his movement, paired with his elite ball striking, terrier is a final 3rd assassin that will reap havoc on opposing defenses for any team who plays him to his strengths.
