Youri Tielemans: The Strategist
Only 3 teams (Liverpool, Man City, and Chelsea) in the Premier League have made more points than Leicester City since the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager of ‘The Foxes’. With more quality in the team than Leicester City’s title-winning squad of 2016, they are in the game to finish top 4.
The 2 young Belgians, Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet, have both their share in this success. Through some strong performances, Praet is building his way into the starting 11. The other Belgian, Youri Tielemans, has become ‘incontournable’ in the line-up since the appointment of Brendan Rodgers. A tactical analysis of Leicester City’s midfield strategist.
The Foxes: system of play
3 weeks after Tielemans completed his loan move from Monaco, Brendan Rodgers was contracted as Leicester City’s new manager. An excellent choice for the board of the club and the 2 young Belgians. The manager is very strong in the development of young talents and gives lots of choices and confidence to the youth.
Rodgers wants his team to play dominant (possession-based style and high ball speed) with elements of pragmatism. Out of possession, the focus is put on pressing the build-up of the opponent with high intensity. (Looking to win it back quickly.) He sticks to his philosophy as was apparent in the game against Liverpool at Anfield.
Tielemans has found his angle within the positional structure of the team. He plays an important role in the ball circulation (over players and spaces) in the axes. And he creates 3rd player combinations thanks to his intelligent positioning (that way deep runs in the back of the defensive line can be exploited).
Rodgers assign an important role to the Belgian box-to-box midfielder through the team-tactical intelligence of Tielemans (e.g. in the final third he moves from his central position to the wing sometimes to stretch the defensive line of the opponent from there.)
Positional intelligence
Rodgers wants his team to build up from the back via short passes at high ball speed. In the 1st phase of the build-up, the relevance of Tielemans is well exposed. He can offer inside support to the defensive (last) line through his intelligent positioning, smart runs, and right timing. To position himself intelligently he makes the right choice between staying in position or to move along and so creating triangles. These triangles enhance quick ball circulation and lead to the optimization of the 3rd-man concept.
Through his intelligent positioning, Tielemans is very strong in managing spaces (creating spaces, using spaces, leaving spaces open intentionally,…). In this team, Tielemans can be considered as the connection maker (between players, lines, and zones). The team can switch quick and efficient from the build-up phase (1st phase) to the creation phase via the connection Tielemans.
‘He has the knack of finding the right pass and he has great shooting ability. He looks a complete all-round midfielder.’ — Phil Neville
The art of passing
When Tielemans made his debut for RSC Anderlecht at the age of 16 in the home game against Lokeren, you could already see that he possesses some exceptional qualities. One of the qualities that he showed in this match: his passing ability. That Tielemans own this quality and further develop it is emphasized by the following comment of Ian Stringer:
‘He has an impressive repertoire of passes and does it elegantly … In his position, he’s one of the best in the Premier League.’ — Ian Stringer (football commentator for BBC radio Leicester)
Just like the variety between short and long passes he also finds the balance in his passing rhythm. At the right moment, he influences the team’s ball possession via simple passes or by being more directly in his passing. To keep the intensity high in Rodgers’s system of play he frequently chose the vertical option. Only Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have played more passes into the final third than Tielemans this season.
Another aspect of this quality is the timing of his passing (illustrated in the example below). Tielemans deceives the opponent with slight touches and the right moment of the pass.
The disguised pass is an element within the passing ability that occurs less frequently but has huge benefits when executed well. The aim is to make your (direct) opponent believe that you chose option 1 and at the right moment pick option 2. This is done via body orientation and point of view.
An exceptional quality in which Sergio Busquets from FC Barcelona excels. The disguised pass aims to eliminate a direct opponent, a line or more lines and in doing so unlock a teammate in a position where he has more time and more space.
Tielemans possesses the right qualities to execute this passing. The first important part is his correct body orientation. Secondly, he can recognize spaces and runs from teammates and opponents quickly. Thirdly, the timing of his passing is excellent. Finally, the depth in his passes is important to free teammates between the lines.
‘He’s a strategist on the midfield. The precision in his play and the way he sees others around him distinguish him. He puts his teammates in goal scoring positions with his passes. He has already created multiple goals.’ — Christian Fuchs
Pictures! Pictures!
These were the words that Lampard’s father shouted to him when he was playing at the youth of West Ham United. Frank Lampard has developed an underexposed quality (with the coaching of his father): scanning. One of the qualities by which he is considered one of the best midfielders in the history of the Premier League.
Brilliant (ex-)players like Xavi, Iniesta, Lampard, Pirlo, and Fabregas excels/excelled in it. Within the 10 seconds before receiving the pass, Xavi made 8.3 scans on average.
‘Think quickly. Look for spaces. That’s what I do: look for spaces. All-day. I’m always looking … People who haven’t played don’t always realize how hard that is. The defender’s here, play it there. I see the space and pass.’ — Xavi
It’s a skill is which Tielemans is growing. By becoming excellent in this quality he can make faster and better choices and in that way be more decisive for the team. Players who scan more and so obtain more info, cannot only make quicker decisions but the success rate of their total passes is higher (17%) as well as the forward passing into the opposition’s half (33%).
In the example below (Manchester United vs. Leicester City) you can see that Tielemans (before he receives the ball) takes into account the following reference points: own position relative to teammates, (direct) opponents and the ball. Based on that he orientates his body in the right direction. His high amount of scans (here: 3 scans in the 3 seconds before receiving the pass) enables him to take the most optimal decision* (based on his best ‘choice’) at the moment he receives the pass.
(The most optimal decision*: if the right balance is there between risk and progression of the ball.)
Technical excellence
His technic was, besides his passing, one of the first qualities that stood out in his first matches in pro football. His technic (control over the ball, handling speed, body movement, coordination,…) enables him to excel in his other qualities and allows him to take the most optimal decision under (high) pressure.
Tielemans combines these technical qualities with power. That translates into the precision of his long (range) passing and shots on target (number of shots per game on average: 2.3).
What makes Tielemans special relative to other players? His exceptional quality to combine technique with the reading of game situations. Thence he can make quick and right decisions under pressure.
Role in the offensive organisation
Tielemans can guide the team through the balance in his passing rhythm. In the 1st phase of the build-up, he makes the choice between quick ball circulation via short passes or to play more direct. Then he is the link-up player on the midfield to switch from the build-up phase to the creation phase.
Once on the half of the opponent, he plays a permanent role in the attacking play of Leicester. Whereby Ndidi will offer a more supportive role.
From the midfield, he also often attacks the box (16m line, behind Vardy, 2nd zone). Proof of that: 3 goals in 12 Premier League matches. Besides scoring, he also excels in creating goals. Since his arrival in February, no other player at Leicester City has given more assists than Tielemans.
Role in the defensive organisation
Rodgers is a tactically versatile manager and he expects his players to execute their tasks in flexible formations. Below is presented one example of this aspect in the match against Liverpool at Anfield.
In the same game situation you can see that Tielemans already possess and apply leadership qualities and maturity at a young age (see below: tactical correction Barnes). A quality confirmed by his coach.
‘He’s got that (leadership) naturally. You can see why he was given those roles (captaincy). He has a voice. He has the view of the game.’ — Brendan Rodgers
Conclusion
Elite football brain Tielemans is on his way to write a new success story with Leicester City. At the Euros next summer, the Red Devils are one of the favourites. The near future is looking bright for Tielemans. At the moment he already performs at an extraordinary level. And this at the age of 22. A blessing for football fans to enjoy watching this strategist for years to come.
