Malick Thiaw has been a revelation in recent weeks. During the summer, it was the striker search that filled the column inches. Alexander Isak was the main topic of discussion, and it would have been easy for the club to be sidetracked by this.
Centre back was a key position to improve for the first team. Although Fabian Schar has been an iconic player for the club, he is ageing, and the defence was lacking pace. An upgrade in this position was vital in the club moving forwards. In Thiaw, it looks like they have found a diamond.
It can take Eddie Howe time to bed in new players, due to the tactical complexities of the style. Thiaw deserves a lot of credit for managing to break into the first team as quickly as he has. Schar’s concussion did accelerate the process, but the German still had to take his opportunity.
The former AC Milan defender has brought qualities that have previously been lacking in our defence. He has a good turn of pace and that has been seen to good effect in recent weeks. Thiaw has adapted quickly to the more physical style of the Premier League. He isn’t afraid to use his aggression to win the ball back and go into battle with opposition centre forwards.
In addition to his recovery pace, Thiaw is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He likes to step into midfield and launch attacks. The German has a good passing range and that allows him to progress the play. In his Premier League matches to date, he has made 13 progressive passes.
The partnership with Sven Botman is a developing one. Defensively, they are solid, and both are competitive in the air. They are the perfect blend of technical ability and brawn. It has been rumoured that AC Milan had wanted both to form their centre back partnership a few years ago. Now, they are finally getting to build that relationship at St James’ Park.
One of the weaknesses in recent years has been the lack of progressive passing from the defence. Fabian Schar is very good at playing long forward passes to players running in behind the opposition defence, but he isn’t as comfortable at playing short passes through the lines.
As a result, there has been an over-reliance on the full backs and Bruno Guimaraes’ in the first phase of play. Opposition teams have had a lot of success pressing the Brazilian when he has his back to the play in his own defensive third. The emergence of Thiaw and Botman should go a long way to fixing that vulnerability, as the pair will be able to be the builders in the first phase of play.
One unexpected part of Thiaw’s play has been the threat he has offered from set pieces. He has had four shots, two of which have hit the target. That is impressive for a centre back in just three starts. Against Nottingham Forest, he should have scored his first goal for the club. If he continues offer this threat, he will score goals.
It is early in Malick Thiaw’s career in England. However, it is easy to see why he has been a long term of the club. He looks a perfect physical fit for English football, while his ability with the ball fixes a weakness in the first eleven. The recovery pace is a bonus.
As the season progresses, we may look back on this signing as the one that takes the side to a new tactical level.
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