Stephen Puddicombe examines the former squad player now free scoring attacking dolphin sensation Nacer Chadli. What has changed this season?
The curious case of Nacer Chadli
Nacer Chadli was again on the score-sheet at Saturday’s North London derby, with another astutely taken finish. That’s four goals in five starts for the Belgian – a prolific record for any player, but especially so for one who, if we’re being brutally honest, has never looked like the most talented option in Spurs’ attacking armoury.
He hasn’t got much pace, lacks the trickery to beat defenders, doesn’t possess an eye for a defence-splitting pass, and is not the kind of forward who scores from spectacular 30-yard efforts.
But Chadli does have one particular quality that makes him an effective performer – intelligence.
On ESPN’s website, Michael Cox described Chadli as:
‘A peculiar footballer, someone who could be termed a “system player” — he’s rarely likely to be the star, will never have a side based around him, but will nevertheless always be useful because of his positional intelligence.’
[linequote]Chadli may not be as flashy, but his economical use of the ball is far more effect than Townsend’s effort[/linequote]
Chadli may not have much natural ability, but he uses his brains to maximise his talent. He is the kind of player who helps bring out the best in those around him, by selecting the right pass, making the right run, and getting into the best positions.
Compare this to Andros Townsend, one of his main rivals for a starting berth. The Englishman is always a very lively performer, constantly running, beating his man and taking shots on, but very rarely has a positive contribution to the team.
Tellingly, of the 56 shots he attempted in the league last season, the only one to go in was a miss-hit cross again Aston Villa – and a miss-shot deflected by Roberto Soldado against Nottingham Forest last week became his first assist of the season, having not registered any in the whole 2013/14 premier league season.
Chadli may not be as flashy, but his economical use of the ball is far more effect than Townsend’s efforts, and allows creative players like Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen to flourish.
Last season he toiled as the players around him weren’t creative enough, with only Eriksen – when he was selected – offering any real imagination. Towards the end of the season Tim Sherwood even positioned him in the hole behind the sticker, where his lack of natural creativity was painfully exposed.
Chadli is not a Gareth Bale-esque player who can make chances out of nothing – he needs to combine with other attackers capable of dribbling past opponents and threading difficult passes.
[linequote]So long as the star men Eriksen, Lamela and Adebyayor stay fit and on-form, expect Chadli to continue to excel[/linequote]
This season, by contrast, Chadli has relished playing alongside Lamela. The Argentine provides exactly the kind of skill and penetration that was missing last season, and that Chadli is able to compliment. Note how it was Lamela’s quick feet and inch-perfect pass that led to the goal at the Emirates, and again that it was his dangerous run and exquisite cross that set up Chaldi’s headed second goal against QPR.
A lack of creativity in the squad as a whole remains a concern, and Chadli is certainly no answer to that problem. But so long as the star men Eriksen, Lamela and Adebyayor stay fit and on-form, expect Chadli to continue to excel.
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12 Comments
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30/09/2014 @ 6:03 pm
He’s certainly done well with his finishing. His vision and positioning is good, though had a great chance to square a ball to Lamela for a tap in in the first half against Arse. Instead, produced a lame shot. A good header of the ball too. He is the Belgian Tony Galvin!
30/09/2014 @ 6:26 pm
I’m pleased he’s getting some credit here, as Chadli showed last season ( and during the transfer window of this season) his determination to fight for his place in the side rather than seeking another club, as so many before him have done.
However not sure why the author is trashing his skill and ‘talent’. He doesn’t do a dozen ‘step overs’ a la Ronaldo but his skill, including touch, control, awareness, and technique are all superior to most in our squad. He doesn’t have blinding pace but he is by no means slow and his strength, height and reading of the game more than make up for this (and I’ve seen him beat a player with a trick- by the way Stephen you don’t have to go ’round the player to beat him…you just need to make a yard for your cross/ pass/ shot)
Thinking the author doesn’t really recognize skill and class technique unless it’s in the form of flash.
30/09/2014 @ 6:28 pm
no pace, no skill and no long range goals! are you sure you have actually watched Chadli play at all because though not on a par with the very best at those skills he does have all of those qualities.
01/10/2014 @ 8:42 am
No Pace? Chadli is quick….perhaps not with ball at feet, but when he’s running flat out, he’s quick. I was at the game Saturday, and on the few occasions we managed to counter, his pace really surprised me.
30/09/2014 @ 6:46 pm
Adebayor on form????????????????You got shit for brains??????????????????
30/09/2014 @ 7:15 pm
No pace? Watch the arsenal highlights to see a lung busting run. No 30 yard screamers? Watch that peach he scored v newc last year.
Fair comments on Townsend the stats speak for themselves. Zero end product.
30/09/2014 @ 7:19 pm
His height and aerial ability offer us something that Lennon Townsend and even eriksen don’t posses. He makes a very useful player in a fluid front 4 that switch positions regularly as we saw in the QPR game. He will comfortably outscore soldado (hope am wrong!!) but then again so will Dier!!!!!
30/09/2014 @ 7:46 pm
I agree with most of the responses posted here. Chadli has pace enough plus strength and a good compass. Like most players anywhere he just needs the chance to play. Tottenham’s biggest problem remains scoring goals and we can’t fault Chadli on that front.
It is engaging to hold definite opinions when writing in the public domain, clearly yours have not entirely met with agreement; but equally they have not been ignored. I’m wondering, if you do something on Ade might he be a catfish? Lloris a moray eel? By the way, in the penultimate paragraph it should be complement, not compliment.
30/09/2014 @ 8:05 pm
Oi Puddings there’s already been numerous occasions this season when Chadli has shown a good turn of pace, decent passing ability and the ability to beat a man…??!!
01/10/2014 @ 8:01 am
I like Chadli’s attitude (great goal celebration at the Ha-emir(hoids)ates), he is really showing qualities that quite a few lack in the squad…….. i.e. LISTEN TO THE GEEZER WITH “MP” ON HIS TRACKSUIT! and transfer it onto the pitch!
I am afraid Townsend was victim of an ITV hype up, saviour of England etc. the next gazza or waddle etc. being their pundit in Brazil….etc. he is an above average journeyman prem-pro at best….. with a lot still to learn…. unlike Chadli, has he the nouse to actually develop and respond to MP?
I hope MP can draw the best out of all our squad!
01/10/2014 @ 12:05 pm
I like Chadli! he works hard, listens to the gaffer and has the ability to make and score goals, he isn’t a Ronaldo or a Messi but he has never claimed to be. Chadli reminds me of Sheringham with his positional abilities, Sheri never had pace but he knew where to be when needed and put the ball where it needed to be, chadli has that same ability.
01/10/2014 @ 3:14 pm
Thanks for all the comments everyone – sorry if I came across as bit negative towards him, I’m still coming to terms with his current run of form having virtually written him off last season!
I agree that he is quick, just no so much with the ball at his feet. Also agree that he is skilful with a good touch and awareness, but that he’s not the kind of player to find the crucial defence-splitting pass. And the goal against Newcastle was a screamer, but also an anomaly – like Rose’s against Arsenal or BAE v Liverpool, for example.
For what it’s worth, here’s some stats (from whoscored.com) that illustrate what I’m trying to say: he has made an average 0.2 successful dribbles per game, compared with 3.3 from Lamela and 1.5 from Eriksen. And he has produced 1 key pass per game, compared with 1.7 from Lamela and 1.8 from Eriksen.
He’s undoubtedly doing a great job for the team at the moment, and long may that continue – but I’m still worried that, in the absence of Eriksen and Lamela, he’d struggle to carry the attack.