Well worth a read.

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/playe ... is-tactics

Interesting.

How much of those stats are influenced by how he has been instructed to play? That must affect it.

Great player, potentially a World Class centre back.

An excellent player but a hogwash report full of jargon and ill-defined terms.

I was surprised watching the EFL award highlights that he had played as a winger until he was was 19.

I don’t know how true that is, but if he genuinely only has been a centre half for 3-4 years, it’s incredible how quickly he’s become an outstanding prospect.

It looks accurate to me. The stats aren’t simply reflecting the player, they’re reflecting how we’re set up to play.

Just like how Tarky and Mee regularly topped the ‘shots blocked’ stats under Dyche.

Estève is called ‘conservative in possession’ because that’s how we’ve played all season.

Nobody can argue it’s been effective but the article isn’t making it up.

I found the discussion of his weaknesses interesting (whilst also acknowledging his qualities and huge potential).

It suggests his beanpole nature is a problem when an attacker (such as an Edwards) has low centre of gravity and changes direction. Bit of a Dan Burn type thing there. Then it also suggests he is forward on his toes too much, which also feels true.

The final thing I remembered (I read it yesterday not today) is that he can be over aggressive in winning aerial duels, and can lose his defensive shape, so can be more suited to playing in a three. That is also correct and interesting to see if Parker goes this way, which could allow for two inside forwards behind a striker without the defensive responsibilities, two from the (currently contracted) pool of Edwards, Anthony, Koleosho, Amdouni, Ramsey and Tresor. Whoever is left. Feels like that would get the best of of all of those players.

Could be quite a good setup next season and perfect for Maxi to learn his trade further.

That’s a great report because, hopefully, it will put off his potential top club suitors. We know how good he is and hopefully those sort of reports keep him exactly where he is.

What a crap report. Mentions nothing about his ability to defend

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:34 am

An excellent player but a hogwash report full of jargon and ill-defined terms.

It keeps someone in a job though...

agreenwood wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:36 am

I was surprised watching the EFL award highlights that he had played as a winger until he was was 19.

I don’t know how true that is, but if he genuinely only has been a centre half for 3-4 years, it’s incredible how quickly he’s become an outstanding prospect.

It's very true, he said so himself during an interview

BurnleyHeff wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 12:36 pm

It's very true, he said so himself during an interview

Wow. Can’t be many centre backs who were wingers for so long. Certainly not in Esteve’s class anyway.

I’m sure plenty of wingers are converted to full backs, but not centre halves.

BurnleyHeff wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 12:36 pm

It's very true, he said so himself during an interview

That's very interesting. Don't normally get wingers that tall

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:51 am

Then it also suggests he is forward on his toes too much, which also feels true.

Strangely see this as a positive in the championship because he always seems to be moving on his toes rather than stood stationary, probably a quirk of him now being a CB all his life.

In the prem it could become a problem with players who will have the extra half yard off the line.

JohnDearyMe wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 1:51 pm

That's very interesting. Don't normally get wingers that tall

Glen Little?

NewForestClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 1:58 pm

Glen Little?

Good shout. Imagine if he could have headed the ball as well as he dribbled with it!

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 1:55 pm

Strangely see this as a positive in the championship because he always seems to be moving on his toes rather than stood stationary, probably a quirk of him now being a CB all his life.

In the prem it could become a problem with players who will have the extra half yard off the line.

Sorry but surely ‘being on your toes’ shows preparedness to take any action at any time.
I would prefer my players to be on their toes all game as it would mitigate against that extra half yard premier player might have.

We all know Esteve is superb. Just hope we can keep him for one more season to try and keep us up. Sign a longer deal in the process to maximise value in the knowledge that he gets a move when the big boys come calling

JohnDearyMe wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:59 pm

Good shout. Imagine if he could have headed the ball as well as he dribbled with it!

Or even if he had any kind of defending ability!

Lisbonclaret wrote: ↑

Thu May 01, 2025 8:15 am

Sorry but surely ‘being on your toes’ shows preparedness to take any action at any time.
I would prefer my players to be on their toes all game as it would mitigate against that extra half yard premier player might have.

Depends how players are in their toes.... Being stationary on your toes can affect how fast you react.

Esteve is usually on his toes and constantly jockeying which will give him the advantage you mention. He's also great at using his body shape to block off runs or force opposition to where he wants them as well as positioning himself well when against multiple players on the break. The step up to do it against Prem players who are that little faster and better at passing will be great to see but relying on him to do it often will not be as fruitious I feel but that'll be more down to how we set up imo.

Lisbonclaret wrote: ↑

Thu May 01, 2025 8:15 am

Sorry but surely ‘being on your toes’ shows preparedness to take any action at any time.
I would prefer my players to be on their toes all game as it would mitigate against that extra half yard premier player might have.

While it has advantages (in any sport) there are also downsides. Being constantly on your toes means your calves and quads are constantly in an engaged mode, which can lead to both fatigue and a problem making explosive movements from a standing start. I was always taught when playing racquet sports at quite a good level to be more on the balls of my feet.

That could be a reason it was a criticism in this report (but to note, a report that was entitled “the new Premier League wall” so in general it was highly complimentary which is where we obviously all are too).

To be honest, if even the analysts are having to knit pick a bit, Maxi must be heading for a stellar carer. The good thing about the minor weaknesses though, it means he is better staying with us for another year or two because minor weaknesses get brutally found out at the very highest level (e.g. trying to get in a Champion’s League first XI).

CalamityClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 12:17 pm

What a crap report. Mentions nothing about his ability to defend

Absolutely, I would have thought a major asset of Esteve's is his ability to anticipate potential threats and his pace to intercept and nullify those threats. I don't believe the analyst has watched him much, but rather taken a load of stats and interpreted them to fit his "analysis."

agreenwood wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 1:12 pm

Wow. Can’t be many centre backs who were wingers for so long. Certainly not in Esteve’s class anyway.

I’m sure plenty of wingers are converted to full backs, but not centre halves.

I suspect it's the fact he's converted to the position relatively late that has meant we were able to get our hands on him. Had he gone through academy football as a centre half he'd have gone straight to a top club - such is his quality.

I think that report reflect more the way he's playing in a Parker system. I do think at times his pace gets him out of trouble for being a little keen to attack the ball (see a couple of early chances Sheffield United had) but the rate at which he improved 18 months ago when initial shaky performances rapidly transformed into utterly assured performances makes me confident he'll continue to improve next season. His ceiling is incredibly high and keeping him this summer is essential to our chances next season.