Plotting Expected Goals and Expected Assists for midfielders and forwards gives us a view on not just goal threat but creativity too. The chart below is xG and xA per 90m in all competitions for Celtic. Only includes players with > 450 minutes. For me, the main take-aways are: Reinforces how vital Edouard is. With … [continue reading]
Edouard
Edouard’s Improvement
Edouard’s recent star introduction for the French Under 21 international side (4 goals in 2 games) has further raised the profile of Celtic’s record signing. Additionally, even hyper critical pundit Chris Sutton is noticing improvements in the youngster’s game as evidenced in his commentary during the Cluj game. Time to mine the data. Goalscoring The … [continue reading]
Christie The Creative Spark
Celtic are creating slightly more chances than last season. I take an early season look at Expected and Actual Assists. Assists / Expected Assists Christie and Forrest lead the way with 6 assists each. Edouard and Johnston have 5 and Ntcham 4 This suggests that Lennon’s Celtic are an equal creative threat from all of … [continue reading]
Christie Leads The Scoring, But For How Long?
With 41 goals in 13 matches, Celtic have started the second Lennon era in spectacular fashion. As I covered in The (Partial) Death of Possession Football, Lennonball involves more shots, a bit of regression back towards the xG mean, slight increase in chance creation and a whole lotta conversion rate joy! Let’s look at the … [continue reading]
Edouard Adored
Celtic have one foot in the Europa League Group Stage following a 2-0 home win over AIK Stockholm. After the Transylvanian terrors of Cluj, this was a case of Move On with no SOS against the Swedes (sorry!). Team Tactics Like Cluj, AIK have a distinctive style they commit to wholeheartedly and, seemingly, unbendingly. A … [continue reading]
Does Griffiths Set Edouard Free?
Wednesday against Nomme Kalju may have been a glimpse into the way Lennon’s Celtic will play. Following the Rodgers 4-2-3-1 template to see out last season, we saw 4-4-2 and 4-4-1-1 in preseason. In reality, a lack of striking options has stymied any thoughts of two up front. But against the Estonians, both Edouard and … [continue reading]
Edouard Belies Fee Pressure
Edouard’s first season as a regular starter in his career ended with a Cup Final and Treble Treble winning double against Heart of Midlothian. The £9 million man has arrived. 2018/19 Appearances After 17 appearances for FC Toulouse and 30 for Celtic on loan last season, Edouard has been the number one striker for the … [continue reading]
£9 Million Man Seals 9 In A Row
Celtic’s history making generation of domination continued as the Scottish Cup was secured for a club record third time in a row. No side in the world has won triple trebles. These are times to be savoured for Celtic supporters. Echoes of History On the 52nd anniversary of Lisbon, Celtic players donned the “5” and … [continue reading]
Can Edouard and Forrest Maintain Scoring Momentum?
With only one striker for much of the season, it is the blossoming Forrest that has led the Scoring Contribution chart so far. Scoring Contribution Scoring Contribution is simply Goals + Assists. Forrest has an incredible 16 assists to add to his 11 goals. Edouard is top scorer with 14 goals, and 8 assists. The … [continue reading]
In Defence of Edouard
BT Sport analyst and former Celt centre forward Chris Sutton was coruscating in his constant criticism of Edouard against FC Salzburg. He has pulled the Frenchman up for lack of movement and perceived inability to hold the ball up. With Edouard hobbling off against Motherwell, and despite the prognosis looking like a short injury outage, … [continue reading]