As explained in the sweeper keeper article , modern football has evolved to the point where top goalkeepers are required to be good with their feet. In an interview with the Bleacher Report, Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic highlighted the importance of goalkeeper distribution in the context of teams playing out from the back.1 This point is crucial when considered together with the recent change made to goalkicks, where the ball is no longer required to be kicked outside the penalty area to be considered in play.2 Possession-based teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool, or Manchester City play out from the back often, thus making it important to have goalkeepers capable of distributing the ball with their feet. In other words, these teams need a ball-playing goalkeeper (BPGK).
The BPGK can be seen as a variant of the sweeper-keeper, although the requirements are not as stringent. The goalies are still required to command their area effectively, to accurately pass both long and short, but they are not required to sweep in behind the defense. In a sense, a BPGK is the link between a sweeper-keeper and a traditional shot stopper (whose only duty is that of preventing goals).
The line between BPGKs and sweeper keepers is sometimes blurred, as is the case for Ederson or Alisson. However, in some cases, the distinction is more clear-cut, as is the case of Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) and Edouard Mendy (Chelsea).
Key Qualities
– excellent decision-making
– wide passing range
– explosiveness and agility
– ability to communicate effectively with teammates
– excellent reading of the game
– confident with the ball at his feet
Edouard Mendy is an excellent example of a BPGK. The 29-year old Senegalese international has taken the Premier League by storm. His performances in the Chelsea shirt have propelled him into the limelight, and for good reason, as he was one of the standouts of Chelsea’s 2020-2021 season. His stats3 for the season tell his story:
- conceded 25 goals in 31 appearances (0.82 goals/game) – 2nd best, after Ederson (0.78/game)
- 70.5 save % – 12/21 in the PL
- 0.27 PSxG/SoT – 2nd best in the PL
- average goalkick length was 32.3 yards – shortest in the PL
- only 24% of his total passes (951) were longer than 40 yards – 3rd lowest in the PL
- his average position from his goal was 15.3 yards out (compared to Neuer, 16.5 yards) – 5th highest in the PL
- his pass accuracy was: 99% for short passes, 99.3% for medium passes, and 59% for long passes
Having a BPGK has allowed Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea to use a front three without a classic target man or striker (i.e., Chris Wood or Ashley Barnes at Burnley). Because Mendy only rarely hoofs the ball across the pitch, there is no need for someone to be the target of long passes. Instead, a well-developed passing game allows for more versatility in the ranks – Mount, Pulisic, Ziyech, Werner, Havertz are all forward players capable of scoring but also passing and running into spaces. While some see Timo Werner as a striker, his style is more suited to dropping deep and linking with midfielders, then using his acceleration and pace to beat defenders. In some respects, his style is more developed than being just an out-and-out striker.
In broader terms, a BPGK gives a team the ability to play out from the back, which in turn allows for 1) control of possession (in the 2020-2021 season, the top three teams in terms of average possession were Manchester City (63.7%), Liverpool (62.4%) and Chelsea (61.4%)4), 2) a fluid shape that can change throughout the game, and 3) dictating the tempo of the game. In addition to these three points, opponents that press high can be dragged out of shape if the passing skills of the players involved in the build-up play is consistently high. When all these elements blend together, beautiful goals are scored (exemplified here with Arsenal’s first goal vs. Southampton on December 11, 2021, starting at 00:17).
To conclude, it is important to note how a BPGK can offer a new dimension to his team, particularly related to retaining possession and playing out from the back. However, this style of football is common in more developed teams with versatile players, whereas teams that have been historically more traditional prefer to employ shot-stopping goalkeepers (e.g., Burnley). The truth is that playing out from the back and retaining possession is not for everyone, and should not be attempted if the quality of the personnel does not allow it – case in point, Arsenal under Unai Emery. In any case, I respect teams like Burnley that do not pretend to be something they are not, and in turn stay true to their own ways.
READ MORE
How Vicente Guaita has changed from a shot-stopping goalkeeper to a ball-playing goalkeeper
References
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2802528-the-evolution-of-the-goalkeeper#slide1
- https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-the-new-goal-kick-rule-change-a-primer
- https://fbref.com/en/players/33887998/Edouard-Mendy
- https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/47/stats/season/15382/teams/possession_percentage/premier-league
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