How Muniz has stepped up to be Fulham's main man

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be crucial in Matchweek 30.

Player analysis: Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)

A fabulous seven-match hot streak has transformed Fulham’s Muniz from bit-part player to one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers.

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The Brazilian has delivered seven goals and an assist since the start of February, and looks a player reborn.

Revelling in his new-found status as Marco Silva’s first-choice centre forward, Muniz will be confident he can extend his goalscoring run at Sheffield United, the side with the worst defensive record in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

Club News Silva: More To Come From Muniz External Link

Silva: More To Come From Muniz

Until Raul Jimenez picked up an injury at the end of January, Muniz had mainly been used as a substitute.

His only starts prior to Jimenez's injury came against Manchester United, Burnley and AFC Bournemouth – all matches that Fulham were beaten in, without scoring a goal.

In those matches, the 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, won many of his duels but he snatched at opportunities that fell his way.

By contrast, across the last seven matches - including the reverse fixtures with all three clubs mentioned above - Muniz has netted seven times, converting 29.2 per cent of his chances.

Muniz's first 10 and last seven matches compared

Boosted by the striker's form, Muniz is now being targeted far more regularly by his team-mates, averaging almost five shots per 90 minutes since the start of February.

Using his physicality and movement to good effect, and getting himself into some brilliant positions inside the box, he has found a wonderful groove.

The visit to Sheffield United earns Muniz his maiden call-up to the Scout Selection in Gameweek 30 of Fantasy Premier League.

Penalty area sharpness 

The standout feature of Muniz’s rise to prominence has been his sharpness inside the penalty area.

For three of his seven goals, he was second favourite to beat his direct opponent to a loose ball.

On each occasion he displayed anticipation, speed, and determination to get there first and convert.

Muniz beat two stationary defenders and Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto to Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s knockdown for his first goal in Fulham's 3-1 win at Craven Cottage last month.

In their 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, he somehow got to Antonee Robinson’s low centre before both Emiliano Martinez and Clement Lenglet, despite having to make up a lot of ground.

And in his last outing, Muniz showed lightning speed across a couple of yards to beat Tottenham Hotspur’s Radu Dragusin to the ball and fire home after Calvin Bassey’s initial shot had hit the post.

Until recently there had been little evidence of Muniz’s predatory six-yard box instincts, it is clear he has a natural sense for where the ball will fall.

His bright mind and physical power across short distances earned him those three goals.

You can see from his shot map for 2023/24, (below) that Muniz is at his best from close range.

He did execute a gorgeous lob at Burnley from outside the box to get his season up and running, but most of his best work is done between three to 10 yards out.

Showing his quality

Bursting with self-belief, Muniz’s all-round qualities are coming to the fore.

He is in essence a strong centre-forward, who provides an outlet for Fulham with his strength at holding the ball up and his ability to win aerial duels.

His assist for Harry Wilson’s goal against Brighton & Hove Albion reflected this - Muniz won a header and a tackle before setting his team-mate through for a 1v1.

In the same match, he scored with a bullet header from Wilson’s cross.

Showing intelligent movement, Muniz made one decoy run towards the far post, before fooling his marker with a secondary run across him at the last second.

This spell has seen the Brazilian join Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez in the league’s top three for most shots inside the box per 90 minutes.

Of all the players to have scored at least seven Premier League goals this season, Muniz leads the way for aerial duels won, while he also ranks highly for duels won and headed shots too.

Most aerial duels/headed shots won

* Minimum seven PL goals

Sheff Utd, who have shipped an astonishing 16 goals in their last three home matches, could do without running into one of the competition's most in-form strikers.

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