Welcome to The Debrief. In his Sky Sports column, Adam Bate combines data and opinion to examine the key stories from the latest Premier League matches. this week:
Why Cherki could change title picture How Frimpong’s pace will help Liverpool Haven’s growing reputation at Manchester United
Cherki’s creativity could determine the title fight
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Watch for free: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City highlights
It wasn’t until the beginning of November that manager Pep Guardiola left Rayan Cherki on the pitch for more than an hour during a Premier League match. He provided two assists in Sunday’s win over Bournemouth and has started eight of the last nine Premier League games.
Manchester City won all but one game and reignited their title hopes, and Cherki’s role was key. Most obviously, he scored the winning goal against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. But his assist for the first goal was more typical.
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Jamie Carragher says Rayan Cherki has emerged as a true ‘maverick’ for Manchester City
Cherki has provided seven assists in the Premier League since the beginning of November, the most of any player in the competition at the time. This is more than double the rate for all but two players, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
The difference is that Fernandes and Wilson are responsible for set pieces for their respective teams, while Cherki’s seven assists all came from open play. No other Premier League player has recorded more than three assists from open play during this period.
The key for Guardiola is to force Cherki to keep the ball in the areas of the pitch where he can cause the most problems for his opponents. At Forest, most of his touches were on the right flank, but he was able to do some damage down the middle.
Rayan Cherki’s touch map during Man City’s win at Nottingham Forest
All three of his chances, including Tijani Lijnder’s goal, came from forward passes from central positions. Since the beginning of November, no player in the Premier League has completed more through passes than the France international.
It is no exaggeration to say that Cherki’s influence changed City’s season. On the eve of the game against Bournemouth, they were eighth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Arsenal and ahead of Burnley on points.
Apparently, that game against the Cherries was the first time Guardiola had named Cherki and Phil Foden in the same starting XI. Since then, the twins’ playmaker has proven to be important, winning seven of eight games in all competitions they’ve played together.
Back in October, City’s best case for regaining the title depended on Erling Haaland hitting the opposition and covering up this team’s flaws. Now something is taking shape. There’s more to this city than that. Cherki’s influence clearly highlights this.
Frimpong’s pace improves Liverpool in the slot
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Premier League highlights of Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rob Edwards was encouraged by Wolves’ start, but things changed around 15 minutes into the game against Liverpool. “Liverpool started trying to push us back,” he explained. “They changed one or two bits and made a lot of numbers higher, so it was difficult for us to get out.”
It was then that Arne Slott could be seen on the touchline urging Jeremy Frimpong to move higher. Late in the first half at Anfield, the nominal right-back played opposite Wolves’ last line. He scored a groundbreaking goal.
Jeremy Frimpong’s advanced position created an overload that led to the opening goal.
“Last week he had an assist against Tottenham and today he had a great assist against Wolves,” Slott said of Frimpong in the post-match press conference. “Pace, that’s what he has, which is very important and decisive in modern football.”
He explained: “Teams defending with so many players to create something against the low block usually break this down with set pieces. Right now, that’s not our biggest strength.” But Frimpong’s pace could help lead the team down a different path.
Jeremy Frimpong’s zonal action against Wolves shows his attacking role
He passed two Wolves players and crossed for Ryan Gravenbirch to score. “Pure individual ability. Quick, bum, bam and cutback cross. Okay, we were in the right spot, but that’s the pace I always wanted to bring in the summer.”
This was Frimpong’s second start in the Premier League since joining from Bayer Leverkusen, who was unable to complete his first season in a Liverpool shirt due to injury. “Right now, if he’s healthy, he’ll definitely help us.” His opening goal against Wolves showed just why.
Heaven impresses Amorim at Manchester United
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Watch for free: Manchester United vs Newcastle United highlights
A word also goes to Aiden Haven, who won Gary Neville’s Player of the Match award for Manchester United’s come-from-behind victory over Newcastle on Boxing Day. Ten produced eight clearances and one vital block, helping them maintain a precious clean sheet.
Ruben Amorim’s switch to a back four has been a hot topic, but whatever the formation, the teenage defender seems to have forced himself into the scheme. It was his fifth consecutive start since his first appearance of the season against West Ham.
Aiden Haven played a key role in defending Manchester United’s penalty area
“I’m really happy with Aiden. I can feel him growing with each game. He’s young, but I don’t feel like he’s having a good game and then his thoughts in the game and during the game slow down. No, you can feel him growing during the game.”
Amorim continued: “I don’t think he played, but he was training really well. He needs to train really well to be ready when the opportunity comes. So if he continues to play like that at the moment, it will be really difficult to replace him.”
Some will recall that when Hayden appeared in front of supporters on the Old Trafford pitch in February after signing for Arsenal, there was little sense that he would be a key role player before the end of the calendar year.
United lost that game 2-0 to Lenny Yolo’s Crystal Palace, but it now looks like Haven are ahead of the young Frenchman in Amorim’s pecking order. Like Yoro, his progress is unlikely to be linear. There will be setbacks. But Heaven’s reputation is growing.
