Player Focus: Cavani vs Falcao - Who is

Better Settled in France?

by Ben McAleer at Thursday, Dec 19 2013 16:40
Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on digg Share on reddit Share on stumbleupon ?

Ligue 1 fans must have been pinching themselves when Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao
joined PSG and Monaco respectively. The duo had become the most coveted strikers on the
continent following a barnstorming season that saw the players net 57 league goals between
them last term. Yet, despite interest from Europes biggest teams, Cavani and Falcao left
Napoli and Atletico Madrid for France and had been tipped to find the net on a consistent
basis following their moves.
The South American pairing have scored a combined total of 21 goals in their debut Ligue 1
season thus far, not a return to be looked down upon from two players adjusting to a new
league. However, Cavani was adjudged to have secured the move that would be somewhat
easier than his Colombian counterpart. PSG romped to the league title last season, finishing
an impressive 12 points ahead of 2nd placed Marseille having netted 69 goals over the
campaign, the most in Frances top tier, and with Cavani available; they were tipped to build
on their 'goals for' column.
With the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lucas Moura providing the
ammunition for the Uruguayan, Cavani was expected to hit the ground running and he did
just that, netting on his first league start for the Parisian outfit. Having made 17 appearances,
13 of which have been starts, Cavani is now scoring every 103.2 minutes on average, helping
push Laurent Blancs side to the summit of Ligue 1, and the 26-year-old is evidently
impressing, picking up a WhoScored rating of 7.33 thus far.
El Tigre, as Falcao has been nicknamed, has also performed well since signing for Monaco
and his average rating of 7.01 reflects this. However, while the Colombian has 9 goals to his
name, hes perhaps underperformed by his standards, especially when compared to Cavani.
The summer arrival is netting every 132.1 minutes for Monaco, not necessarily a poor run of
form, but he's netted only twice in his last 7 league outings, having scored 7 in his first 7.

Of course, while Monaco boasts the likes of James Rodrguez and Joo Moutinho to provide
the inventive threat from the midfield, the level of depth in this particular department pales in
comparison to that of PSG. As a result, its perhaps viable that when one of either Rodrguez
or Moutinho, or both, arent performing; Falcaos goal getting capability isnt exploited to its
full potential.
However, the Colombians preference to remain in and around the 18-yard-box rather than
drop deep may have contributed to this barren spell of goals. Operating as the focal point in
Monacos attack means that his duty is to perform as high up the pitch as possible and hes
evidently done this, as judging from the 4-2-3-1 in which Les Rouge et Blanc have started in
12 of their 18 Ligue 1 games this term.
His heatmap reinforces this as he looks to hang on the shoulder of the last defender and
capitalise on any possible mistakes the opposition defence may make, while Rodrguez and
Moutinho can utilise their WhoScored strengths of through balls and maximise the off-theball movement of Falcao. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, if this isnt paying off, the
striker isnt as effective as his Uruguayan counterpart.
Cavani has previously exhibited his ability drop into deeper positions in order to win the ball
back for his team, with his high energy levels assisting this. This aspect of his game has seen
the striker develop a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of defensive contribution.
Hes (Cavani) a very industrious player and being utilised on the wing has helped him adjust
to the French league, said WhoScoreds Ligue 1 and Bundesliga expert, Andy Brassell, with
11 of his 13 league starts coming on the flank.

While it initially appeared that Falcao had adapted the quicker of the two, the options
available to PSG head coach Laurent Blanc means that Cavani can be used more sparingly
than Falcao, who, when fully fit, will play, Brassell added. Cavani is therefore able to be
kept fresher, and as a result is less likely to succumb to fatigue and injury. With Blanc also
able to exploit the attacking capabilities of Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi, the quality of the
alternatives means PSG wont be hampered should French footballs most expensive signing
be unavailable.

As Brassell mentioned, this isnt the case with Falcao. While Monaco have won every game
in his absence, with the Colombia international having not made a Ligue 1 appearance since
the 1-0 win over Nice last month due to injury, if the striker is available, hell start every
game. Its perhaps the minimum expectation of a player who cost a supposed 60m; only
4m less than Cavani.
Unfortunately, with the replacements somewhat inadequate when compared to that of
Cavanis at PSG, he isnt gifted the opportunity to be rested when needs must. Moreover,
playing as the focal point in Monacos attack means hes targeted by centre-backs, perhaps
more forcefully than Cavani is on the wing.
The roughness of defenders in France is something that is clearly causing him (Falcao)
frustration, Brassell said here and its reinforced in his recent mini goal drought where the
striker has been booked 4 times, all of which have been as they result of a foul he committed.
This matches his WhoScored style of play of commits fouls often, but clearly highlights his
irritation as of late, something that hasnt been a problem for Cavani.
Being utilised on the wing means hes less susceptible to the rough treatment that Falcao
continues to endure, while allowing the Uruguay international to utilise his WhoScored style
of play of liking 'to cut inside, with 6 of his 12 league goals coming when hes been playing
on the wing. Furthermore, this allows Cavani to utilise the defensive side of his game to track
back and reclaim possession.
Nevertheless, both players have settled fairly well in their new surroundings, although that
was hardly a shock given the quality of the duo. However, its Cavani that continues to prove
to be the better value for money, as judged by his goals and WhoScored rating compared to
Falcao.
The quality of personnel supporting Cavani would certainly have aided his adjustment to
Ligue 1, while the lack of such an illustrious supporting cast as that in the French capital may
have slowed Falcaos progress of late. Nevertheless, all in all its been a successful start to
life in the Hexagon for the pairing.

Player Focus: Fernandinho - Breaker and

Maker of Play
by Jonathan Wilson at Monday, Dec 16 2013 17:20
Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on digg Share on reddit Share on stumbleupon ?

When Manchester City brought in Fernandinho to replace Gareth Barry, the instinct was to
think that although theyd upgraded, his pairing with Yaya Toure might cause defensive
issues. The classic modern midfield partnership, after all, tends to feature an out-and-out
holder, a ball winner who sits deep to protect the central defenders, and alongside him
somebody more progressive, a player adept at making runs from deep, of advancing with the
ball and taking advantage of any space that may emerge. Toure and Fernandinho are both of
the latter variety.
That means they either have to be incredibly disciplined as a pairing, with one pushing on
and one sitting back, never committing both forward at once , or that City have to play with a
high enough line that regaining the ball is done through the application of pressure rather than
by tackling, that City become a radically proactive team.
The former is possible at club level the endless Gerrard-Lampard discussions indicate how
difficult it is at international level when players have limited time to work together and
there are signs that Toure and Fernandinho are developing an understanding, but it may be
that the latter is the long-term plan, something that is being held up slightly by the need to use
the less than rapid Martin Demichelis at centre-back.
Even if concerns remain over the pairing and with Sergio Agero absent over the next
month, itll be fascinating to see whether Manuel Pellegrini starts using David Silva rather
than a second striker, bolstering the centre of midfield, as he did in Munich Fernandinho
has emerged as one of the stars of Citys season, even if he was largely unsung until his
double against Arsenal on Saturday. In fact, according to the WhoScored.com ratings, he has
been Citys third-best player this season (7.68), behind only David Silva and Agero. In fact,
of players who have played 10 games or more, he is the fourth-best player in the Premier
League.

However unnatural he may at times appear in the holding role, it cant be denied that he
performs the defensive part of his job with gusto. Fernanidnho averages 3.4 tackles per game,
the eighth highest figure among midfielders (although of course players for teams that have a
lesser share of the ball than City have more opportunities to make tackles), and 2.6
interceptions, the seventh highest figure among midfielders. Adding tackles and interceptions
together, only Lucas Leiva and Mile Jedinak, among midfielders, have regained the ball more
often per game than Fernandinho.
Yet that really isnt the major strength of his game. A pass success rate of 87.2% isnt
sensational, but it is very good for somebody who completes as many as 3.6 accurate longballs per game. By comparison, Jedinak plays 3.9 accurate long-balls but has a pass success
rate of only 74.2%, while Lucas, although he has a pass success rate of 91.1% completes only
2.4 accurate long passes per game. Equally two assists may not seem like many, but the only
player categorised as a holding midfielder with more this season is Yaya Toure, while only

four players in that position can better his 1.3 key passes per game.
That level of completeness as a breaker of play and a maker of play - is exceptional and
Saturdays performance suggested he is growing in confidence. The danger is that too many
forward surges leave Citys back four exposed, but given Toure is a player of similar
attributes, if they can continue to develop their relationship, or if the overall structure
becomes more geared to the high press, the result is that City will have even more angles of
attack, that they will be and the thought is staggering for a side that has scored almost 4.5
goals per game at home this season even more devastating going forwards.