Goodison Tactics: Front-foot Koulibaly could alter Everton’s defensive approach
Kalidou Koulibaly would signal a shift in defensive tactics with his front-foot approach if Everton can secure his services this summer.
The 29-year-old is currently on the books of Serie A side Napoli in Italy but if reports are to be believed then he could be set for a summer switch to the blue half of Merseyside.
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook there is “genuine interest” from the Blues in completing a deal for Koulibaly before the start of next season, as he relayed in a video posted on their official Twitter profile.
But just what would Everton be getting from the Senegal international?
At Goodison News we took a look at why Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly so hot on him and the strengths that saw him regarded as one of Europe’s finest central defenders in recent years.
What is so striking about Koulibaly is his aggressiveness and front-foot actions which bring about a swell of positivity in the defence.
See the following three images below for an example of just how confident and quick Koulibaly is.
The Sassuolo winger is near the touchline and is the full-back’s responsibility but Koulibably doesn’t see it this way.
As soon as the winger takes a touch into the centre of the pitch Koulibably begins his march forwards to block his efforts.
In a flash he makes an inch-perfect challenge to dispossess his opponent and initiate a Napoli counter-attack.
This is typical of Koulibaly as evidenced in his 9.37 recoveries per 90 this season and he makes over a fifth [20.7%] of these in the opposition half according to stats by Wyscout.
By way of comparison Yerry Mina and Michael Keane complete just 11% and 10.8% in the opponent’s half respectively.
Ben Godfrey, meanwhile, is up at 17.4%.
The next images show Koulibaly’s sheer pace and his self-belief in attacking the ball at the earliest opportunity.
With the ball running away from him and Udinese on the counter-attack one might expect him to drop back and defend from deep.
But he takes the risk and challenges the man head-on before coming out with the ball.
We can’t picture Keane or Mina doing the same thing and that is indicative of our more negative, ‘stand-offish’ approach that will not see us rise to the top.
We need to be more risk-averse and Koulibaly offers that in abundance.
He is not too shabby with the ball at his feet, either.
According to Wyscout he attempts 0.91 dribbles per 90 this season at a 59.4% completion rate.
Godfrey makes a similar amount with 0.95 but Mina and Keane lag way behind with 0.15 and 0.32 respectively.
This example below shows just how comfortable he is in possession and how he can turn defence into attack in an instant.
He is pressured by two opponents but close control allied to his sheer physical presence allows him to drift between them to emerge with the ball.
This then takes the two opponents out of the game and he can launch a Napoli attack.
With Godfrey at the back we have seen the difference positive front-foot defending can make.
Just imagine if we had another one in his mould.
Well in Koulibaly we might have just that, plus an extra six years of experience.
In other Everton news, our view on why this 24y/o goalkeeper fits the bill to replace Robin Olsen.