The change in style of English football teams. From hoofball to football on the deck.

[SambaStyle]

Remember the days of hoof ball? They are becoming a thing of the fast due to the influx in foreign managers on these shores. The likes of Guardiola, Klopp, Sarri and Bielsa are changing the way English teams are playing football.

In the Premier League this year, 14 teams (!) have averaged over 400 + passes per game. Rewind 5 years ago (2014-2015) and that figure is a mere 11 teams. With 8 teams are averaging over 500+ passes per game compared to 6 back then. Teams like Burnley and Newcastle are now sticking out like a sore thumb as teams without tactical nous and ability to keep ball.

Perhaps the biggest shift is of those teams in the Championship. This year, two teams have average over 550+ passes per game with a further 11 teams in total averaging 400+ passes per game. Rewind to 2013-2014 and only 7 teams managed 400+ passes per game. The change is happening across the football leagues.

How does this compare to football on the continent? Spain and the Spanish league has long been considered the hub of attractive, ball on the floor football. This years La Liga has only 4 teams averaging 500+ passes per game (compared to the PL's 8) and only 10 teams averaging 400+ passes per game (compared to the PL's 14). So if you want to watch nice, pretty football, the Premier League is the league for you.

 

[deano ou812]

Unbelievable how the game has started to change this way,football fans in general and those who enjoy watching it along with the media should hail what Klopp and Pochettino have done for the English game ;-)

 

[lancs blue]

Teams like Burnley and Newcastle are now sticking out like a sore thumb as teams without tactical nous and ability to keep ball.

You've missed out the obvious one...

 

[kaz7]

And yet pep gets no credit,when he came here they said his style won't work here,he'll not change english football,i heard on talksport that klopp bringing in allison is why keepers play out from the back,ironic that for the last couple of seasons he has changed them into a long ball/crosses team with 2/3 def mids that are largely by passed with long balls and brought in someone with long throw ins like stoke

When pep goes no-one will admit he has changed english football for the bettter,we are the only ones that can play total football and peps way but at least the other managers see the value of it and try it,of course it hasn't changed every team for the better and some like the rags are hilarious to watch trying to do it

Sticking to his guns and winning so many trophies doing it speaks for itself,trouble is everyone is to busy hating us to enjoy it,their loss

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

Sticking to his guns and winning so many trophies doing it speaks for itself,trouble is everyone is to busy hating us to enjoy it,their loss

There's none so blind as those who will not see.

 

[BosnianBlue]

It's England last few years, but ever since Pep done it Barcelona, the whole world started to do it. Even my kid's U10 club here in Bosnia is trying to play from the back. It's Pep's football revolution.

 

[JASR]

It’s not just ‘play out from the back’, Eddie’s long pinpoint passes far into the oppo half are a joy.
They showed one on MotD, and mentioned the ‘collect’ but completely missed the glorious pass.

 

[dickie davies]

TBF, Wenger's Arsenal teams always tried to play football on the ground
Pep has just taken it to a different level

 

[sheepskin_tearaway]

Klopp has changed absolutely sweet fa. The dippers play a primitive, albeit effective, kick-chase game.

 

[Newman Noggs]

Big Sam was on goals on Sunday yesterday berating teams for playing out from the back. I've heard him on Talkshite regularly railing about it too. That tells its own story.