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:
🔴 Lamence brings calm to Manchester United
💪 Passing under concert pressure
🔍 Players to watch this weekend
impressive ramen
Manchester United defeated Arsenal last Sunday thanks to two moments of brilliance from Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorg. But their goalkeeper also did his part, albeit in a typically understated style. Senne Ramens continues to impress.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Neville says he is ‘amazed’ by Manchester United’s turnaround under manager Michael Carrick
The 23-year-old, signed for £18m from Royal Antwerp, has looked valuable since making his debut in October, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford, instantly bringing a level of composure that was missing from Altai Baindir and Andre Onana.
“I think I’ve done what I needed to do. Now it’s just about giving the team confidence and being a leader at the back,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville in December. “I haven’t done anything too crazy, which is good for a goalie.”
Certainly, that’s what Manchester United needed, and Lamence brought much more than that. The many ways in which Michael Carrick has improved his side were neatly outlined at the Emirates Stadium as he helped the side to two wins in two games.
First, there were examples of his shot-stopping ability, particularly in the first half, when he made an outstandingly reflexive save to push Martin Zvimendi’s close-range header over the bar. He then wisely came down to deny Bukayo Saka at his near post.
The basic stats show that, excluding own goals, Lamence have conceded 21 goals since joining the Premier League from chances equivalent to an expected total of 23.74, giving them a huge positive difference of nearly three goals prevented in 15 games.
That’s a significant improvement from Byndil, who conceded fewer goals in six starts earlier in the season, although his shot-stopping ability is considered one of his strengths, according to the same data.
Ramens has proven that he can use his feet as well as his hands, especially over long distances.
He made 33 of 36 long passes against Arsenal and 11 of 13 in the 2-0 win against Manchester City. Overall this season, Lamence has the fourth highest percentage of long passes of any Premier League goalkeeper at 66.15 per cent.
The greater emphasis on directness is a welcome change, given the problems United previously faced when trying to play from the back under Carrick’s predecessor Ruben Amorim.
Lamence’s passes, which are usually accurately struck and follow a flat trajectory, perform several functions, allowing Manchester United to evade the opposition’s press, win headers and second balls and secure positions higher up the pitch.
At the Emirates Stadium, Lamence was able to repeatedly drop passes over the top of Arsenal’s defensive line, forcing Gabriel and William Saliba to battle through the air and off-the-ball runs at the same time, often backpedaling.
Senne Lamence vs AR Senal pass map
Despite his relative inexperience, Lamence has masterfully stepped up into what Neville once described as the most difficult role in football. In one year he went from playing against Balshot and Westerlo, to Manchester City and then Arsenal.
Of course, he showed a lot of potential in Belgium as well. But if there was one area of uncertainty in the Premier League, it was how he would cope in the air.
Sunday, February 1st 1pm
Kickoff at 2pm
“The most important and most difficult thing, especially as a goalkeeper, is set-pieces,” he added to Neville in December. “It’s the physical nature of England. They try to block you and make it as difficult as possible for you.”
Lamence lost a set-piece against Arsenal, failing to get Saka’s corner and allowing Mikel Merino to cross the goal line. But otherwise he rose to the challenge well, commanding the box confidently even in difficult situations.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch highlights from Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal.
In fact, he finished the season with more catches and more punches than any other goalkeeper against Arsenal. His total of six goals was the fourth most by a goalkeeper in a Premier League game so far this season.
All of this gives Manchester United a level of goal security they haven’t had since the departure of David de Gea. According to Opta, Onana made three errors that led to goals in last season’s Premier League. Ramens, by contrast, has yet to even make a shot that leads to a shot.
Quiet reliability doesn’t generate many headlines. Ramens has a calm personality both off and on the pitch. “I know it may seem boring, but that’s the goalkeeper I want to be,” he said in an interview in Belgium in October.
And that’s exactly the goalkeeper Manchester United needed.
Concert’s calmness
Ezri Konsa came off the bench in the second half as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League on Thursday. The centre-back showed his usual composure on the ball, completing all but one of his 20 passes.
His reliability in possession is one of his many strengths, and that holds true even in difficult situations. In this season’s Premier League, Konsa completed 448 of 492 passes under intense pressure, giving him a pass completion rate of 91 per cent, higher than any other player in his division.
Ezri Konsa has the highest success rate in the Premier League
The 28-year-old has had an excellent season, with his defensive quality matched by a level of technical ability and resistance to pressing that has propelled him into England’s starting XI alongside Marc Guehi at this summer’s World Cup.
Aston Villa will hope he proves his all-round ability once again when they take on former club Brentford, live on Sky Sports, on Sunday.
Sunday, February 1st 12:30pm
Kickoff at 2pm
Player Radar: Other Players to Watch
Following goals against West Ham, Borussia Dortmund and Burnley, as well as an assist against Eintracht Frankfurt, Cristian Romero will aim to be involved in a goal for the fifth straight game when Spurs take on Manchester City, live on Sky Sports, on Sunday. The centre-back’s contribution in attack has helped head coach Thomas Frank continue with the team.
Live Radar: What’s on Sky this weekend?
Don’t miss the match between Chelsea and West Ham at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 5pm on Saturday, ahead of the 5.30pm kick-off.
On Sunday, Aston Villa v Brentford, Man United v Fulham and Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 1pm, kick-off at 2pm, followed by Spurs v Man City at 4.30pm.
Join David Jones and Jamie Carragher for Sunderland vs Burnley on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event (kick-off 8pm) from 7pm.
Read last week’s Radar column
In my last column, I looked at Arsenal’s striker situation, with Gabriel Jesus, Victor Goqueres and the returning Kai Havertz competing for the No. 9 spot, and explained why the latter remains the front runner.
