I see the crystal raindrops fall – And the beauty of it all
Hopefully, the number of people getting the reference will not be restricted to “just the two of us” ; you, 1980’s loving studio Jazz-dance connoisseur and me, shit musical pun scratched vinyl disc borefest.
Chelsea signed Deivid Washington for about 20 million this summer.
This player profile will aim at getting around Washington’s game, strengths and weaknesses.
Plays are gathered together, with a quick word on things that stand out or could be done differently.
There’s several reasons to like Deivid Washington, towering at 1.85 / 6ft1
He’s a wide striker, quite adept at receiving the ball and carrying, linking up with other attackers. Not necessarily a creative passer, it’s a welcome sight that he’s nevertheless got an eye for the pass with some quality well weighted deliveries into space for more advanced team mates (crosses, through passes).
In terms of movement off the ball, he’s deceptively quick due to a deceiving running motion (slightly flat footed – landing the full foot, instead of running on toes), that makes him quicker after 15-20 yards (because he’s muscularly quick)
His striker movement has a good base to start, especially in the box, matched by some composed finishes. However, he’ll benefit (like most young strikers) to show simultaneously more deception and entitlement to make sure he gets the ball… without it being too predictable for defenders.
There’s a contrast right now between his ability to ride challenges on the turn and when carrying where he’s surprisingly strong, agile and mobile without being put off balance… and his receptions back to goal that is his biggest margin for improvement (and the reason he won’t only get off the bench as a support striker on a senior pitch as for now), as a result for falling on his arse more often than not with pressure from behind (mostly for not setting himself to absorb challenges)
More importantly, Deivid Washington has a chance to share the pitch with Léo Casteldine (the sky) as far as musical puns are involved.
Footage stem from
Luton – Chelsea in Premier League Cup in December
Chelsea – Celtic in Premier League International Cup in December
Chelsea – Preston North End at senior level in the FA Cup
CARRYING OFF THE WINGS
Washington has a natural change of pace, backed by a fluid technique when carrying:
Positive first touch to attack diagonally
Carrying the ball with the laces and the knee bent
The former is wing play 101 for effectiveness, the second pure “aesthetics”, nevertheless pleasing to see from a quick player (who usually don’t carry, or do by knocking the ball abruptly in front of them).
Diagonal carry for a straight pass, these are attacking fundamentals to provide the assist to Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
The timing and weight of release is spot on
“aim for the angle of the 6yd box” to deliver a through pass
Having the ability to change gear is key to get away from defenders, that’s how Washington “explodes” off the dribble (regardless of the “squat toilet” defensive stance).
That turn of pace is above average at PL standard, as benchmark.
That particular touch with the laces, knee bent (pure aesthetics), and maintaining the upper body’s posture (good stuff) evidences core strength
When evaluating player’s agility, change of direction is a good indication, assessing how much energy/speed is lost doing it.
It’s not everything, Kai Havertz’s changes of direction off the ball are the reason why scouts can’t believe their eyes (he’s incredible at it).
Two previously mentioned elements at play on that play:
Change of direction, and a reasonably powerful knock with the laces to get away.
Washington isn’t chasing his first touch because he keeps his shoulders above the ball (also bends the knee), and is able to add an extra “chop” to change direction.
Defender didn’t hit “F5” and steps in for the previous segment of the trajectory.
Tangles the leg, and Washington draws a foul.
That’s a combination of: technical ability, powerful stride and intelligence to bait the foul from DW
The view is masked by Luton’s #10s, but it’s easy to fill the blanks and see that Washington dominates the ball when it drops.
When the ball is in the air: defender has the upper hand (foot)
When the ball is on the floor: attacker is in charge
The best way (hashtag #baller) to transition from these two states
(ball in the air / on the floor) is with these specific (half rebound?) touches that keep the ball alive, in the intended direction.
We also like very much that pass in the stride with the inside of the boot.
Attackers who speak with their feet pass the ball like that (that’s a scouting illumination to look for, at any level), because they want to share and ask a return pass. The pass is a tool for a movement; and not the other way round (coach tells me, so I play an half arsed pass)
Alex Matos getting on his high horses (for his first senior appearance at Kenilworth Road? Where he played up to U12 before joining Norwich)
Washington’s separation is alright: good decision making
wide play is fairly straightforward: CB / FB, who steps in, where’s the space.
Washington’s diagonal carry has the goal in sight, and his through pass for Tyrique George aims for the angle of the 6yd box which is a good reference point for passers.
Washington might appeal more for coaches as a wide striker / right winger than 9 for the time being.
Being connected when the play develops, by creating separation
However, when trying to overload, the defender outwits Washington by shoving him. The point is to get the left arm in front, or put the defender’s chest off balance (some will put the palm in the face) to keep him away
Washington manufacturing space to make a diagonal run to goal.
However, on that instance, Gilchrist’s pass has slightly too much backlift (as a result of stopping his right leg motion too early – resulting in spiralling and losing pace)
ends up behind Washington, quite keen to chest the ball in his path (on other occasions)
why Washington ends up in the mud?
The shift is a little too large, but because Washington is dynamic (and tall)…
…he maintain contact, but his stride extends.
His planted foot (left) trails far behind him, what’s called the “shin angle” (ground and left leg here) isn’t a straight line aligned with the body.
Body’s gone, #headsgone, stride too big for the left foot to land (at least near the centre of gravityà).
Rolling the defender to attack the byline in injury time at Luton
With some Sam Rak-Sakyi’s involvement at both ends (tad late, but winning the challenge on second ball), Washington succesfully baits the defender into getting flat footed with a shoulder drop.
Puts #4 square, and displays the “double acceleration” that gets scouts off their seats (not just because the Kenny seat is drenched)
and connects a fairly good cross for JJ Morgan to Chase (sorry).
Another start-stop play that puts the defender on wheels.
Washington does the Willian thing of “enough now” to draw the foul, but ultimately needs to slap the defender’s arm.
MOVEMENT: GENERAL PERSPECTIVE
Looking at this, from a scout’s perspective: “there’s a player there”
MOVEMENT ACROSS THE LINE
The takeaway from Washington’s movement across the front line is that
He moves, which is better than not
He’s either too obvious, or not demanding enough in terms of where he wants the ball.
Basically, maverick strikers are contrarians: ball goes right, I go left (so that I can connect the cross from the right side).
The only reasons to come ball side is to:
Ask into feet, lay off for a switch to the far side
Run deep in the channel (to ask a question to the CB)
Strong “running alongside the Tour de France cyclists” energy here, which gives little room for Brodi Hugues to make a good decision.
Washington drags his CB cover with him (who’d get first to cut off a channel punt to Zain Silcott Duberry).
A similar theme: at first glance, Washington’s movement across is good because it creates space far side for Matos.
At closer glance, the timing doesn’t quite align:
Matos’ diagonal carry shoud’ve been matched by Washington’s “mirror” diagonal run across (but Washington is still dragging the timeline to refresh)
Because Washington eventually reacts (as opposed to proactively create the space, then see what happens); Matos is forced into creating a different angle for his carry (which makes him run square).
Chemistry, yes, but mostly about fundamentals. The game is the game.
In a nutshell:
Washington’s movement in behind is not non-existent.
However, he’ll have to keep the beaming smiles for PR and be either more deceptive or ruthless in the way he attacks space.
Wanna be the ruthless bastard who only runs to get the ball? Make two other sprints so that the defenders are caught off guard, and the 3rd one is the one to receive it: that is: moving opposite side to the ball, drop off the front (deep), then dart in diagonal to have the goal in sight. Kun Agüero
Wanna be the Kai Havertz’ teacher’s pet who runs at the corner flag to open the box to Marcos Alonso? Gowan son, but towards the corner flag, and with poise and credence.
MOVEMENT IN BEHIND
On “Football League – Greatest Hits”, track #3 is:
“winger comes short, punt it down the channel to drag the CB outside the box” which is what Zain Silcott-Duberry (7) is doing
The thing with Deivid Washington is that his sprinting motion is relatively heavy, as a consequence of landing the full foot
he is however deceptively quick over medium-long distances (15-25 yards) because more athletic. This is the reason why he somehow (but logically taking the points previously mentioned) gets in front, where you’d imagine he’d be beaten by the covering run.
Another high level trait or ability, is deceleration.
Pro players are quick. The difference is those who know how to decelerate, and those who know when to.
Scouting is about overlapping skillsets: pace merchants strikers usually don’t like to pass. Deivid does.
Building Castles in the Sky
Coaching attacking football has little to do with tactics. Let’s say 10%
90% of it is man management. Basically, who gets opportunities during plays, and who does the dirty work to make it happen. It’s a balance to be found, depending mostly on situations.
Washington shows character “pass it to the wide player, I’m the CF”
but the follow up of the situation (delayed because Léo takes too much time to drive diagonally) demands Washington to make a decoy run to drag the Celtic CB away (to open the far side for JJ Morgan to Chase).
Washington’s languish timing here is “I still want the ball” albeit the angle of carry and timing makes it
a crappy through pass (straight, not in an imaginary cone toward goal)
diagonal through pass that the GK will have first (and DW would receive at a freak angle larger to the 6yd box – Broja, Lacazette or Agüero would make something out of it). And you don’t do “diagonal-diagonal” (unless if that’s a cross for someone starting from the other side of the moon arc at the edge of the box)
The takeaway here isn’t to moan about the lino or the striker being offside.
But truly “call him out” for delaying the decoy run on purpose (he’s not gonna get the ball, or only if JJ Morgan cuts it back) and essentially cocking up the move.
No big deal, but still no chance out of it.
Tactics (or hiding behind the magnet board pretending to not see) will lead nowhere, coaching is inevitably based on managing humans, rather than draw Velleda arrows on a whiteboard.
If live doesn’t do, video feedback session will.
A very similar situation. Make the run, create the space.
So that Conor has a better window to pass, shoot or slide it to Enzo
See the difference between the two plays, and this one:
A compelling decoy run creates space (a field) for Michael Golding.
Don’t make promises lightly, same applies for channel runs to drag a CB out of position.
This play on the other hand, show an uncooked striker gently asking for the ball, with an equally nice team mate agreeing to it.
See why a winger being remotely competent in the air does. Long ball outlet, header backwards, settled. That’s 6ft1 Zain Silcott-Duberry
Washington nicely demands the ball, the run should be sharper ad more convinicing
Silcott-Duberry releases a diagonal-ish pass. Needs to draw a CB to create a problem (step in or back off).
MOVEMENT OFF THE WINGS
Due to the epidemic of the Neymar Syndrome, we can’t go too hard
(note: Neymar is great, his game is great, but the false impression that he was only about receiving at an angle into feet has been the biggest influence for footballers at all levels in the past 20 years – joint with Ronaldo).
in other words; strikers willing to run in behind is somehow, a precious trait to find (and nurture) in a player (or squad building).
He’s not meant to receive a back to front punt every other possession sequence, but put defenders on the edge, and eventually taking a step back. Which creates more pockets of space for attackers.
The Pedro Rodriguez (or Henry) role for Barcelona and Chelsea.
What Hudson-Odoi did very well.
Unfortunately, Mudryk’s “run in behind” add on wasn’t part of the 100 million package, it remains to be seen if Chelsea can send a couple of more million through the window.
As mentioned previously, attacking is mostly about algorithmic reading of situations. Let’s get into the worst football visual ever:
Where is the space depending on the back four’s behaviour
Like a spreasdheet with boxes filled or empty
(we attack to the mini goal on top)
(Right Back, Centre Back, Left Back)
Here are 5 (clusters of) key situations, and subsequent reading.
No amount of tactics or kicking every ball from the sideline will solve it, but players’ perception and decision making.
for an equally cloudy situation to look at:
Tyrique George (in front of the white stairs) drops off and pulls the RB out of position, Washington drags the CB outside the box with a run.
These are the second and third situations on the “algorithm”
we also like very much that “chop”, almost stinging the ball with the toes.
Washington’s most interesting cluster of situations come from receiveing on the left wing and cutting inside
The left touch with the outside left is a good adaptation from what he could’ve done better previously: better arc gives a better angle (therefore a compelling back foot reception). Should’ve spreaded wide closer to the touchline
The angle of Washingon’s run isn’t different enough from Rak-Sakyi’s pass.
Re-adjusting his footwork getting around the ball forces him into a contorsion which impacts his balance.
Benchmarking on his footballing döppelganger Gabriel Martinelli, and despite the fact that the choice is different (and not stupid; Krul goes low, Henderson doesn’t, it made sense for the former to go for top bins and Martinelli to go for ground) – the position of the shoulders (and arms for balance) are better for Martinelli:
allowing to shot with power, without the shot flying over.
Martinelli hits the ball just over the half, Washington probably just under.
BOX MOVEMENT
Washington embraced the opportunity vs Preston, with some welcome dynamism and consistency.
The receipe to get fluke tap-ins is to get prepared
Luck favours the prepared mind, see how Washington not only follows up but also readjusts to try to connect
Managers kicking every ball is pointless, as evidenced aplenty.
However, it is paramount that strikers airkick everything that might come across the box. Jermaine Defoe was excellent at it (like most goal poachers), meaning they’d connect one time out of 4 or 5 deliveries that actually goes through even if they air-shot the other ones cleared before them (rarely, as they’d dart near post)
As a wide striker, one criteria for success to tick is to crash the backpost when the cross comes from the other side.
Washington does, however would benefit from bending his run around the penalty spot (rather than going straight at the ball in diagonal here)
That would provide a better angle (or surface) to connect with the cross (hitting in front of his body and not across)
A theme we can find on this play vs Celtic.
Main problem with young players is to “ball watch” and get attracted to it, as opposed to manufacture the time and space to receive it with goal and receiver in sight.
Washington’s run “outswings” which is obviously (for the bystander) the opposite to the “inswinging” run to make
Washington’s touch is a bit heavy, as his run takes him away from goal and he still wants to create an angle.
A closer first touch allows to fire past when the ball drops when about to bounce (not on it’s way up)
Or make the couple of extra steps more that make goalkeepers make a decision (and striker decide accordingly whether to go low or dink over) – possible if the ball is generally in his path and not infront
Box movement is Chelsea’s missing skillset upfront, the reason why the team gets to the byline a lot and doesn’t create chances out of these situations.
Madueke takes a low chance attempt, mostly as a result of Washington ball watching (instead of arc his run round the penalty spot to attack the near post)
FINISHING
Washington’s attacking movement isn’t non existent. There’s things to work from, such as this.
Being a striker is a mindset, you are or aren’t. Ball goes left, striker goes right which is what he does in order to be in a better position to receive the cross.
Anyone drawn to the ball isn’t a 9, period. A compelling cosplay for tacticoachs.
The decision to hit a snapshot effort with the inside of his foot is the kind of “sandbox” effort that strikers need to experience before coming to terms with the idea that getting a touch, hammering it near post with the left or clipping far post will be a more efficient use of that opportunity
Stops his run, skips to land the left leg and connects with the inside right to create an outswinging effect. Good technique, but not the most threatening effort even if that was to hit the target
Washington made a similar separation movement, and the angle looks akward to connect with.
More sandbox attempts, more attempts from the face of the goal posts to compare with attempts not from the face of goalposts… to decide that there’s no better way than go around the penalty spot and attack the near post.
Everything else is deceiving spreadshit filling fodder.
RECEPTIONS BACK TO GOAL
There’s two reasons to consider Washington a wide striker
First because his skillset aligns with the demands: see Martinelli: carrying at an angle, close touches, speed, far corner finishes or crash the back post.
Second because it’s a way to look at his below par game back to play.
Washington isn’t “weak”: he’s athletic and quick, and actually able to ride challenges with pressure from the sides (or on the move) fairly well (let alone getting away with speed).
He just lacks the gamemanship to handle the endemic shenanigans in PL, which is the reason he won’t be given a go at 9 in a senior game yet.
Being insufficient at an aspect is never ideal, but the worst thing is to receive the ball and not pose a single threat. Means the team feels it can play the long ball, which is then directly turned over.
Tactics don’t read the game, players’ perception does. If the 9 can’t make it stick, they won’t go early on him. If he looks like he can but actually doesn’t, it’s trouble.
As a general idea, be on the edge of the field of vision of the defender (so he sees a moving shape) is better than being in front
Washington making himself available as a relief outlet in the channel is very good though, something strikers don’t really do (or coaches fail to compute the importance of these things – Kane like lots of 9 is absurdly consistent at drawing a foul there)
Washington’s movement sync is sligthly off, as he’s looking to make contact with his left arm a bit too early (and doesn’t find the defender)
Ends up flat, and clattered from behind
Defender then makes the foul because he clips the shoulder.
a PL defender will also clip the shoulder when body vs body, with the arm half fold against the striker.
The point for DW is to have his left hand on the chest, or ideally grabbing the shirt downwards so that the defender needs to stretch both arms to reach his shoulder = which is the line between a foul and not a foul.
Same posture back to goal, falling on his arse and CB tripping over is a foul against Washington at senior level.
Build castles in the sky (no I won’t get tired, this is too funny)
Washington is a bit caught in two minds, going short, or going in behind in relation to Léo Castledine’s carry.
receives a bit off balance, but has to make sure he sets (as there’s no option to lay the ball back), stands his ground then decides what to do next (keep the ball away, possibly with the sole). Use the hand / arm as a radar to know where the defender, then turn where he isn’t. Or let a leg trailing to draw a foul
Arm and hand to put the defender off balance would help not being challenged himself. Palm on chest, grab the shirt and push away (downwards)
Doesn’t, falls on his arse. Any senior coach will go hmm…
If you look like you can hold it up, and ask for it, better get hold of it.
In Thomas Tuchel’s weird Kai Havertz at 9 social experiment, you wouldn’t see Havertz raise his arm and say yeah shell it I’m Didier Drogba. He’d duck his head, but as he was the only remaining senior CF not discarded by Tuchel, the whole circus would last one more 40 goal season.
Some will say it’s a foul. Not called mostly because the mismatch only shows that Washington doesn’t do remotely enough to shield himself
Defender navigates the “arms around the chest without grabbing” line.
Tyrique George is the quickest to the second ball whilst Washington inspects if the grass has been cut to the standardized 28 milimeters (it was, just very wet)
(another box ticked for George: quick small spaces wide goalscorer with a potshot is a peculiar set of skills already; add second ball winning and you get the joint most impressive George at the club currently)
This one is no attempt at playing the ball, therefore gets called a foul
Look at George’s movement between the lines to find himself in a position to hit top bins against Tim Krul.
Tyrique George was born in 2006, 6 months before Tim Krul (1988) was playing an obscure UEFA Cup tie against Palermo for Newcastle.
Gen Z are taking (shots) over millienials
Importantly, strikers must know their strengths. Receiving a long ball as an outlet is a demand of the game, and if they can’t pin a CB, at least disrupt the jump in anyway they can.
That can involve backing off inadvertendly into the CB (what he could do here, as opposed to trying to compete fairly for the ball).
Or jump early and disrupt the CB’s leaping motion for a lame ass header that falls on the second ball winning player (see again: Tyrique George seconds later)
Doing a bit of everything is mostly about doing nothing
except receiving the introductory sweaty / muddy hand in the face (if you wondered why Diego Costa would wear gloves)
No gloves there for Diego Costa, but a good way to challenge the CB with his back. Costa wasn’t a remarkable header, but he knew how to make his presence felt. Defender off balance because disrupted bu Diego Costa jumping early or late on purpose.
Harry Kane Pressure relief
The Harry Kane pressure relief is a simple play in three acts:
Control the ball
Get the left arm in front
Get the left leg in front, turn, get clipped, draw a foul.
DW’s left leg motion is too weak / late there to draw anything, gets beaten and Luton pile more pressure ball side.
More gym work, more training against seasoned pros.
But there’s a reason he won’t be played as long ball outlet (and Sterling will see the pitch regardless).
RECEPTION
DW has some “wow” moments such as his ability to chest the ball over defenders
DW is generally much better at dynamic “on the run” actions than he is at static, conventional back to goal 9 thing.
Football isn’t a game for nice people, the one who gets the arms (or elbows) above the opponent will get the upper hand (arm) especially in the only areas that matter: both boxes. Nice guys finish last.
It is what it is, unfortunately. Get out of defender’s sight, only come for the ball.
The more you’re in sight, the more of a target you are without using your arms to prevent access to your “personal space”
Another DW chest reception. This is a progressive carry into final third.
RIDE CHALLENGES
As mentioned previously, Washington is surprisingly slightly below par for standard back to goal fixed 9 things… yet marginally above average for rolling defenders on the turn.
the benchmark is a 18 year old tall and quick forward.
This play isn’t exactly Fútbol, welcome to Kenilworth Road on a cold rainy tuesday night.
However, the way Washington rode these two successive challenges is impressive: firm posture, defender bumps off him
taking a stand to ride the next challenge
riding it again, this tie with the left arm to tap the arm away
switching directly, unfazed, to carrying with the laces where he can afford to (where he perceives the space to be).
COMBINATION PLAY
Not a compelling castle in the sky trying to connect with Leo Castledine.
However, Deivid Washington’s propensity to link up is unusual for a
striker, ball carrier, quick player
That more often than not won’t pass, chase their final touch (or composure) or don’t get in position to pass (because would rather receive it).
Scouting is not about reading what’s written on the tin, but looking at other complementary skills (assuming the player does what’s written on the tin for a start, obviously).
A nice needle pass for Ishe Samuels-Smith, albeit could’ve been weighted a bit better to put ISS into orbit a bit better. 🛰
Deivid Washington didn’t cost 100 million (neither will Mudryk), but knows how to find separation before receiving
These square carries are also useful to create movement and retain in final third. Willian was often doing that because his role was about moving the ball until an opportunity to find Hazard or Fàbregas into space did arise.
Sterling does them as well.
Not directly risking a turnover by taking on whilst 2v3, but shuffling the defensive shape.
EYE FOR A PASS
On several occasions, Washington showed an eye for a pass to create a chance in the box, between players into space.
This through pass for JJ Morgan to Chase was delightful after a front foot interception, with the outside of the boot (and a flex ankle to keep it on the floor)
That clipped cross at the far post is not only an intelligent solution to the situation (no presence at the near post), but also a good example of what quick poachers usually don’t do. They can dink it over a keeper, but the Fàbregas semi hit semi clipped cross would be reminiscent of Daniel Sturridge.
We like not only the little dink to solve the problem in small space, but the second touch on the rebound before spreading the ball wide.
Passing is also about radius, 9s can play around them, but can they (or should they – different question) spread the ball wide on the occasion?
DW did it, fairly well.
ROLLING DEFENDERS
Before considering fielding Washington as 9 at senior level, any coach will go hmm… at him trying to dummy a long ball for himself.
Sorry Deivid.
WORKRATE
In the game at Luton, Washington was playing split strikers with Tyrique George and Léo Castledine behind him.
The one-off, new system had George playing more of a LW interchanging with Samuels-Smith, whilst Washington was holding the more nominal 9 position with Silcott-Duberry handling the whole right flank.
Whenever teams play a 10 + two 9s, it’s the responsibility of one of them to cover and screen the other team’s DM.
Washingon’s imput is real here and he’s got an eye for an interception too.
One nice recovery in the defenders’ feet as a right winger
Washington had a nice contribution to the start of the high possession sequence that led to Enzo’s goal against Preston, with a good immediate reaction on turnover
Also, height isn’t just about winning headers
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Deivid is a cheeky striker (so is Mason Burstow and Tyrique George) who like a potshot from range to catch the goalkeeper eeeeeearly
Not gonna catch Tim Krul early
Negative expected goal
Sébastien Chapuis 