Loads of consideration has been paid to the brand new ‘Dynamic Kick-off’ laws in American soccer’s NFL within the early days of its 2024 season however even within the fluid realm of the Premier League, how a group begins play is an increasingly-rehearsed course of.
And regardless of the continued evolution in intricate techniques, even the best of Johan Cruyff’s disciples appear eager to return the sport to its roots by hoofing the ball up the pitch from kick-off. Every of final season’s ultimate high six within the Premier League have accomplished so sooner or later of their first three matches of 2024-25. Nevertheless, they’ve additionally offered selection within the methods they line their gamers up, and the way rapidly they get the ball ahead.
Beneath, The Athletic analyses the kick-off routines utilized by Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea (to start out both a recreation or the second half of 1) throughout the primary three weeks of the season forward of the Premier League’s return this weekend.
Manchester Metropolis
As you’d count on from a Pep Guardiola group, Metropolis’s kick-off routines have been makes an attempt to retain management via quick passes and loads of off-ball motion.
Forward of their first kick-off of the season away at Chelsea, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva each lined up near the ball, with Savinho out vast on the left and Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku shut to one another on the appropriate. Rico Lewis was the only real defensive member of the group to the left with their different defenders forming the ultimate line behind Mateo Kovacic on the sting of the centre circle.
De Bruyne handed the ball again to goalkeeper Ederson, who went lengthy in direction of Haaland on the appropriate. He flicked it on, however Chelsea ’keeper Robert Sanchez got here off his line to gather the ball near the sting of the field earlier than Doku might attain it. By the point Sanchez caught the ball, Metropolis had seven gamers near his penalty field to kickstart the press.
At dwelling towards Ipswich City the next weekend, Guardiola opted for a distinct strategy when Metropolis kicked off the second half (they have been main 3-1 by then). De Bruyne and Bernardo nonetheless stayed near the ball, however Haaland joined Savinho out vast on the appropriate whereas Doku was positioned additional inside on the opposite flank. Lewis, on the appropriate, lined up alongside Kovacic, who stood close to the sting of the circle once more, whereas the again three have been positioned deeper than they’d been at Stamford Bridge.
Metropolis started the second half with a 14-pass transfer wherein they discovered each Savinho and Doku at completely different factors, with seven gamers in whole getting a contact. When Ipswich lastly cleared the ball for a throw-in, Metropolis had De Bruyne and Bernardo in pockets the place they may trigger harm and each wingers excessive and vast with restricted speedy stress.
At West Ham, Metropolis selected the same strategy to the Ipswich one earlier than the opening kick-off however with Jack Grealish alone on the left whereas Haaland and Doku went vast on the appropriate. Their again three have been a lot nearer collectively that point and leaned extra in direction of the left, indicating they might channel their first assault of the match to the appropriate.
De Bruyne once more handed all the way in which again to Ederson, who formed up for an extended go however then went quick to left-back Josko Gvardiol, who returned it to him. Metropolis then drew West Ham in direction of the left with De Bruyne dropping deep, as he did towards Ipswich, earlier than taking part in it out to their proper and discovering Lewis in acres of area. When Lewis obtained the ball, he was forward of six West Ham and 5 Metropolis outfield gamers, giving the champions an opportunity to trigger some early harm.
Arsenal
Arsenal have had a set sample in place throughout their three league video games up to now, passing the ball again to goalkeeper David Raya from kick-off and surging in direction of the flanks in numbers whereas leaving central areas open. Raya is then tasked with hitting one of many wings; he went in direction of the left towards Wolves and Brighton, and to the appropriate towards Aston Villa.
Within the Wolves recreation, Arsenal had a entrance 5 streaming ahead even earlier than Thomas Partey knocked the ball again in direction of Raya. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard made inward runs on the appropriate anticipating an extended ball to the left, the place Declan Rice is most central with Gabriel Martinelli holding the width and Kai Havertz between them, whereas Oleksandr Zinchenko stayed again. Arsenal’s defenders stayed in a excessive ultimate line to make sure they may transfer additional up as soon as Raya, who got here effectively exterior his field, launched the ball ahead.
By the point Raya readied himself to kick, William Saliba was the lone defender within the ultimate line with Gabriel and Ben White, who additionally made their approach ahead.
Wolves stepped ahead to attempt to win the ball simply past the midway line, however it got here again to Zinchenko. He performed it ahead to Martinelli, however the Brazilian’s subsequent go in direction of the center was cleared.
Wolves recovered possession rapidly however as Arsenal already had males ahead, they pressed them to power an extended go and gained the ball again by the 34-second mark.
Away to Villa, Arsenal used a distinct tactic by opting to go to the appropriate flank as a substitute. Havertz moved over to the appropriate to cost ahead with Saka, whereas Odegaard stayed extra central. Rice and Martinelli made extra conservative runs on the left whereas the again 4 stayed excessive according to the sting of the centre circle.
When Partey’s go obtained to Raya, Saliba was the furthest behind as soon as once more whereas all of the runners moved in direction of the appropriate. Raya’s lengthy ball was nodded on by Havertz, who occupied the identical space as Saka, permitting Villa left-back Lucas Digne to get a head begin and marshal the ball out for a aim kick. The transfer mirrors Metropolis’s strategy towards Chelsea the earlier weekend.
Lastly, towards Brighton, Arsenal went to the left once more, with Havertz as soon as extra drifting over to the opposite facet. This time, they saved two centre-backs in entrance of Raya, anticipating the next Brighton press, with Saliba even blocking opposition striker Danny Welbeck. Raya’s go was met by Jan Paul van Hecke, who headed it out for a throw-in.
By then, 9 Arsenal gamers have been within the Brighton half, permitting the house facet to determine early territorial dominance.
Successful the preliminary header doesn’t appear to be Arsenal’s focus from these routines, significantly contemplating the 5ft 8in (178cm) Leandro Trossard was their left-winger towards Brighton, although Havertz’s 6ft 4in peak does assist, because it did towards Villa. The purpose is for them to get as lots of their gamers ahead as doable, pinning the opposition again slightly than prioritising management.
Liverpool
Liverpool huddle earlier than kick-off at Manchester United on September 1 (Paul Ellis/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Arne Slot’s early months as Liverpool head coach have seen him obtain reward for establishing an identification that blends the most effective qualities of Jurgen Klopp’s 2023-24 squad along with his personal touches.
Liverpool have continued to make use of a excessive line and that has been evident from their kick-off setups, which has similarities to Arsenal’s.
On the opening weekend towards Ipswich, Dominik Szoboszlai was tasked with kicking off the competition, with 4 team-mates additionally near the midway line.
In contrast to Metropolis and Arsenal, who’ve gamers ranging from vast positions, Liverpool have been a lot narrower. Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Alexis Mac Allister lined up on the left whereas Mohamed Salah took up the only real spot on the appropriate. Behind them, Trent Alexander-Arnold inverted to type a midfield line with Ryan Gravenberch, with Liverpool’s remaining defenders forming the ultimate line simply past the centre circle. Each the primary and ultimate traces compressed area by lining up subsequent to one another.
Beneath, Szoboszlai handed to goalkeeper Alisson, who went lengthy in direction of the left. Like Haaland and Havertz from the examples above, the ball was directed in direction of Jota, who was within the half-space slightly than vast, which helped him discover Diaz additional out. The Colombian obtained assist from Andy Robertson and the latter’s first-time cross was cleared.
Slot went one step additional in his official Anfield bow towards Brentford the next week. To kick off the sport’s second half, the entrance 4 remained the identical however the midfield two turned a trio with Robertson inverting to place himself straight behind Jota on the left. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk fashioned the ultimate line proper subsequent to the centre circle.
This time round, Alisson’s lengthy go was met by Brentford defender Nathan Collins, who was then fouled when he went up for a return header after the ball was despatched ahead once more by Robertson. When the foul occurred, each Liverpool outfield participant was in Brentford’s half. With the play drawn in direction of the left, Szoboszlai, Alexander-Arnold and Salah have been in area on the appropriate.
Then, towards Manchester United, deemed the primary large check of Slot’s tenure, the Dutchman unleashed what seemed like an much more daring strategy to start out the second half, regardless of holding a 2-0 lead at Outdated Trafford. The entrance line of 4 was backed up by a second line of 4 with Gravenberch, Van Dijk and Robertson on the left and Alexander-Arnold within the half-space on the appropriate. Konate was furthest again however nonetheless increased than he had been towards Ipswich or Brentford.
Nevertheless, as Alisson readied himself to launch one upfield, Van Dijk and Robertson dropped again at the same time as their different team-mates made their approach ahead. Alisson’s go was met by Jota, who (after a few ricochets) obtained previous United right-back Noussair Mazraoui to the byline. Liverpool have been unable to get sufficient males into the field, although, and Jota’s ultimate go sailed out for a throw-in on the opposite facet of the pitch. They did, nonetheless, have sufficient gamers in United’s defensive third to disrupt their restart from the following throw-in.
Liverpool’s strategy from kick-offs, whereas mirroring Arsenal’s on the floor, has the positional interchanges we see from Metropolis.
Jota and Diaz are each able to switching between the left-winger and centre-forward positions and this strategy additionally permits Salah to start halves with decrease depth and preserve his vitality.
Aston Villa
Villa are the primary group on this record to start out matches off with a ahead and use a midfield recipient from kick-off, with an emphasis on management and baiting the opposition’s press.
Away towards West Ham on the opening weekend, Morgan Rogers began the second half for Villa with Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey lining up shut to one another on the left and John McGinn tucking inside on the appropriate. Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana stood proper subsequent to one another inside the centre circle, whereas Villa’s again 4 fashioned their ultimate line a number of yards additional again, fanning out to cowl the center of the pitch and each flanks.
Beneath, Rogers handed the ball to Tielemans, who went again to Pau Torres. As West Ham dedicated males ahead, Villa performed it out vast to right-back Matty Money, who beat his man however then gave the ball away, earlier than Villa gained a throw-in in their very own half.
Unai Emery’s facet have been rather more conservative after they took on Arsenal at dwelling the next weekend.
This time, Watkins moved to the appropriate, leaving Bailey as the only real runner on the left. Tielemans pushed nearer to Rogers whereas Onana retained his place close to the sting of the centre circle. The hole between Onana and the again 4 was a lot bigger, whereas the full-backs pushed barely additional forward of their centre-backs.
Villa handed again to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who, with the group’s total form, would have been anticipated to go in direction of the left wing. Nevertheless, Havertz cleverly presses him on that facet to power Martinez to go to the appropriate wing, the place Jurrien Timber wins the preliminary duel however then provides the ball away. From there, Villa labored it again to their defenders earlier than finally surrendering possession as Arsenal stress resulted in Torres passing to an offside Bailey.
Towards Leicester Metropolis of their third match of the season, Emery unleashed one other pre-kick-off formation.
This time, Watkins returned to the left alongside McGinn, whereas Onana moved additional up the pitch to affix Bailey on the appropriate, so forming a entrance 4. Tielemans stood simply a few ft away from Rogers to obtain the preliminary ball, whereas Digne inverted to line up a number of yards behind McGinn and Watkins, leaving loads of area in midfield.
Rogers handed to Tielemans as anticipated, and he performed the ball additional again to the defence. Torres tried to dribble out of hazard however couldn’t and Leicester cleared it again to their defence earlier than developing a transfer that pegged Villa again, indicating the chance this strategy holds when Emery’s facet fail to wriggle out of stress.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s kick-off setup contrasts with all of the groups above by way of width.
Within the instance under from their opening fixture towards Leicester, Spurs, like Villa, kicked off utilizing a ahead in Dominic Solanke, however stationed Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson extraordinarily vast on the left and proper respectively, with James Maddison beginning near Solanke.
Their second line leaned in direction of the left; Rodrigo Bentancur was on the sting of the centre circle in midfield with Pedro Porro in the appropriate half-space and Pape Sarr in between them. Future Udogie was barely behind within the left half-space, leaving simply centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to type the ultimate line nearer to their penalty space than to their team-mates. Romero and Van de Ven then fanned out, hinting that Spurs would begin with quick passes, which was what they did.
Solanke handed the ball to Bentancur, who performed a one-two with Sarr earlier than discovering Van de Ven. Spurs labored the ball to Maddison, dropping deep on the left flank (just like De Bruyne for Metropolis), and he tried to seek out Udogie, whose poke ahead was too far forward for Solanke to achieve.
With Solanke out injured towards Everton, Spurs introduced Wilson Odobert into their line-up, whereas Dejan Kulusevski additionally began.
As Son, because the centre-forward, ready for kick-off, he had two choices near him in Maddison and Kulusevski, whereas Johnson and Odobert held the width as soon as once more. The second line was fashioned by Porro drifting into central midfield, the returning Yves Bissouma on the fringe of the centre circle and Udogie a lot wider on the left. Romero and Van de Ven fashioned the ultimate line however have been increased up the pitch than towards Leicester, a sign they anticipated much less stress from the outset than in Leicester.
Son discovered Bissouma with the primary go and the midfielder went lengthy, in direction of Odobert on the left. Odobert gained the second ball and fed Maddison, however Spurs ended up going again to their defence, nonetheless staying inside Everton’s half because the guests sat deep.
In the newest match, towards Newcastle, Spurs used yet one more kick-off form as they started the second half 1-0 down.
As Son ready to make the opening go, Johnson once more positioned himself vast on the appropriate, however Udogie was now the widest participant on the opposite flank with Odobert dropping inside, whereas Kulusevski was deeper than the place he was positioned within the Everton match. Porro additionally pushed as much as man the appropriate facet of the second line, with Maddison in a deeper place down the center and Bissouma on the left. The hole between midfield and their two-man line of defense was smaller as Spurs aimed to push ahead from the beginning of the half looking for an equaliser.
On this event, Son performed it to Kulusevski, who lofted a ball in direction of Udogie on the left — as Bissouma did for Odobert towards Everton. The go was too heavy and Newcastle gained it again, however as Spurs pushed males ahead, they regained possession rapidly. The ensuing sequence noticed Kulusevski’s shot from contained in the field deflected.
Spurs’ system underneath coach Ange Postecoglou has usually relied on high-risk, high-energy soccer and their kick-offs are a superb illustration of that. Their setup permits them to stream males ahead and, extra importantly, compress the vast areas to power groups down the center, the place they’ll win the ball again by making use of stress.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s kick-off strategy underneath new head coach Enzo Maresca is kind of completely different from their strategy with Mauricio Pochettino within the dugout final season.
As a substitute of Conor Gallagher, offered to Atletico Madrid in the summertime, or one other midfielder, Nicolas Jackson has been handed kick-off duties by Maresca. Chelsea have used a mixture of Spurs’ and Metropolis’s approaches, stationing their left-winger out vast whereas permitting Cole Palmer on the appropriate to remain nearer to Jackson.
Towards Metropolis on the opening weekend, Enzo Fernandez gave Jackson a brief preliminary choice on the left, with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia on the sting of the centre circle. Chelsea’s again 4 stayed nearer to their field with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella inverting from the appropriate and left, respectively.
To begin the second half, trailing 1-0, Jackson handed to Cucurella, who tried to go lengthy in direction of Christopher Nkunku vast on the left, however the go was too heavy, and Metropolis noticed it via to Ederson with minimal stress. Given the standard of the opposition, Chelsea didn’t press too excessive, granting Metropolis’s again three the area and time to get right into a passing rhythm.
Chelsea’s strategy gave the impression to be a response to taking part in a superior facet within the four-in-a-row champions, nonetheless, as they modified their setup away towards Wolves the next weekend.
The inclusion of Noni Madueke and Lavia’s absence via harm meant, along with having Palmer near Jackson, Maresca might station each wingers — Mykhailo Mudryk on the left and Madueke on the appropriate — out vast. Gusto joined the midfield to type a trio with Fernandez and Caicedo, which meant the right-back space was utterly empty, with Cucurella inverting and pushing forward and the centre-backs staying shut to one another within the center.
This time, Jackson handed to proper centre-back Wesley Fofana, who instantly went lengthy in direction of Madueke. The winger was open and flicked the ball on in direction of Palmer, however Wolves skipper Mario Lemina obtained there first. As Wolves then tried to maneuver ahead, Chelsea pressed excessive to power the opposition to the left, attempting to tempt them right into a dangerous swap which by no means got here.
The setup Maresca used towards Crystal Palace within the third match is perhaps the one he sticks with because the Chelsea squad get accustomed to his techniques.
Chelsea, profitable 1-0, kicked off the second half with Fernandez, who had Jackson (left) and Palmer (proper) closest to him whereas Pedro Neto hugged the touchline on the left and Madueke was stationed vast proper. Gusto and Caicedo fashioned a a lot deeper second line, with Cucurella wider than in earlier matches. The centre-backs have been additionally deeper than earlier than, staying nearer to their penalty space.
Fernandez handed the ball again to Sanchez, who, underneath no stress, lofted the ball in direction of the left. Chelsea did not win the primary header and Fernandez’s second header in direction of Neto was cleared out. When the ball went out of play, Chelsea had Palmer, their main artistic outlet, within the form of place they might need him, however their relaxation defence was barely susceptible with Caicedo shifting up the pitch.
House and time could have restricted us to a deep dive on solely final season’s high six on this article however followers of Bournemouth, Brighton, Newcastle and Manchester United can analyse their group’s kick-off strategy within the graphics under:
