Welcome to The Radar. Nick Wright’s Sky Sports column combines data and opinion to highlight must-know stories from the top and bottom of the Premier League. this week:
🔴Fernandez joins the assist mission
🤔 Has the slot found a write-back solution?
🔍 Players to watch this weekend
Fernandes and Henry chasing De Bruyne
Bruno Fernandes was on the brink of setting a Premier League record after assisting Benjamin Sesco’s breakthrough goal in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday.
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Bruno Fernandes has assisted Bruno Fernandes four times this season.
When he faces Liverpool on Super Sunday, he will be just one game away from joining Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne in 2019/20 and Arsenal’s Thierry Henry in 2002/03. There are still four games left in the season, but he’s in a good position to exceed that total.
Fernandes has been a creative force in the Premier League since joining Old Trafford from Sporting in January 2020, with his 19 assists currently the most ever in a single season.
Manchester United’s remaining games will continue in the same vein, with Liverpool followed by Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton, meaning they will finish in 22 games.
The figures highlight the huge gulf between Fernandes and the rest of the squad in this season’s Premier League. The 31-year-old’s total of 19 assists is almost double that of any other player, followed by Manchester City’s Ryan Cherki and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen with 10.
The difference in chances created is equally significant, with Fernandes having 114, well ahead of the next players on the list such as Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Arsenal’s Declan Rice. He also ranks first in terms of the number of big chances created according to Opta, with 28.
His set-piece success has contributed greatly to this season’s success. Ten of his 19 assists have come from free kicks and corner kicks, while Henry and De Bruyne’s totals are only two and three respectively.
However, in the context of this season’s Premier League, it is worth noting that Fernandes ranks comfortably at the top for chances created in open play, reflecting his perfection as a creator.
Bruno Fernandes’ 19 assists were recorded in various positions.
Of course, assist numbers depend on the finishing ability of his teammates, but Fernandes also leads the league in expected assists, which more accurately reflects the quality of chances created. In fact, he has the highest xA of any player since his Premier League debut.
Liverpool don’t need to be reminded of what they can do. When the teams met at Anfield in October, his superb volleyed cross with the top of his right foot in the second phase of a corner was headed in by Harry Maguire for the winning goal.
Another contribution of this kind on Sunday would equal a record that stood for 23 years and strengthen his case to be named this season’s Premier League Player of the Year.
Jones impresses at right-back
Curtis Jones may not be the long-term solution to Liverpool’s right-back problem, but he will be keen to keep his place at Old Trafford after performing well against Crystal Palace and Everton.
The 25-year-old becomes the sixth Liverpool player to start in the Premier League this season, following Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremy Frimpong, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo, who was brought on at Goodison Park. He accepted the challenge.
Curtis Jones plays against Crystal Palace
“He’s hardly played that position in his career,” head coach Arne Slott said. “The way he carries himself is a big compliment.”
Jones has a lot to learn in his position as a natural midfielder, but he has certainly added value in possession.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was of course unique in terms of his creativity at right-back, but Jones was similarly accustomed to having the ball at his feet and showed his passing quality, including assisting Andrew Robertson’s goal with a through ball against Palace.
Curtis Jones has played at right-back in Liverpool’s last two games.
The pass, which came from a midfield position following a counter-attack, was one of 149 completed by a Liverpool player in two games. His composure under pressure and ability to step into the central zone help smooth out his team’s problems in the build-up.
Virgil van Dijk has definitely noticed the difference. “I thought Curtis was an outstanding player against Everton,” he said this week. “He was a huge game changer, especially in possession.”
We may need more of the same at Old Trafford.
Player Radar: Other Players to Watch
Bournemouth’s Junior Crupi played against Crystal Palace in Sunday’s early game and has scored three goals in his last four games. He will definitely be in high demand this summer.
Live Radar: What’s on Sky this weekend?
Arsenal and Fulham will face off on Saturday Night Football, with coverage of the main event on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports beginning at 5pm, ahead of kick-off at 5.30pm.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace will take on each other at 2pm on Sky Sports+ ahead of Super Sunday’s big match, with Man United and Liverpool facing off at Old Trafford with an early kick-off at 3.30pm.
On Monday, Chelsea face Nottingham Forest at 3pm. Everton then take on Man City in an 8pm kick-off, with coverage beginning at 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Read last week’s Radar column
Is there reason for Arsenal to be optimistic about their title challenge with Manchester City? In last week’s column we looked at before another injury to Kai Havertz made their task difficult.
