Adrian Clarke takes a look at tactical trends that took place in 2017/18.
Less aggression
"I am not a coach for the tackles so I don't train the tackles," Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said in 2016, and it seems to be true not just of his team.
Premier League players have become less aggressive in the way they win back the ball.
For the second season in a row we witnessed a steep decline in the number of tackles attempted to a record low in 2017/18.
All-time low
The total of 12,468 tackles made in 2017/18 was 2,261 lower than the tally in 2015/16, a drop of more than 15 per cent.
In 2015/16, there were 38.8 tackles a match, a level that had stayed consistent for five consecutive years.
That five-year average has now dipped to 34.6 tackles, and across 2017/18 the figure fell even further to 32.8 per match.
The decline in tackling
| 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | High | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tackles | 14,729 | 13,138 | 12,468 | 18,050 (06/07) |
| Fouls | 8,195 | 8,650 | 7,869 | 10,886 (05/06) |
| Red cards | 59 | 41 | 39 | 73 (05/06) |
Why have they dipped?
While the number of dribbles attempted dropped for the second straight season, that is not the main reason of the shift.
The season just gone was in fact the fifth highest on record for forwards running at defenders.
Protecting space
To find answers we should look to the increasing number of managers who instruct their players to retain their defensive shape and discipline.
Most teams now focus on the protection of space, allowing their opponents to have the ball in front of them, rather than diving in.
These tactics have led to the fewest fouls and red cards in a Premier League season and it influenced the season’s record high number of passes.
Staying on their feet
Defenders have also changed their attitude, possibly at the request of their managers.
They have become less confrontational and more determined to stay on their feet.
As a result, only seven defenders made the top 50 list for fouls made in 2017/18.
Comparing figures with the previous season, a shift has taken place.
By the end of 2016/17 15 defenders had committed 35 fouls or more. In 2017/18, that number was more than halved to seven.
Fouls by defenders
| Players | Club | Total | PL rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Pieters | STK | 58 | 4 |
| Zanka | HUD | 45 | 15 |
| Antonio Valencia | MUN | 38 | 37 |
| Jose Holebas | WAT | 37 | 41 |
| Hector Bellerin | ARS | 36 | 45 |
| Lewis Dunk | BHA | 36 | 45 |
| Craig Dawson | WBA | 35 | 48 |
Will this pattern continue in 2018/19?
It depends if more managers opt to press the opposition with more aggression and higher up the pitch.
The art of ball winning could become a more important ingredient of the game again.
Also in this series
Part 1: Tactical review: Coaches show flexibility
Part 2: Tactical review: City continuity counted for title
Part 3: Tactical review: Players saving their best shots
Part 4: Tactical review: Free-kick goals a dying breed
