Whatever metric you are fond of, Ryan Christie is performing admirably in an ever-improving Bournemouth side who are diligently moving up the Premier League table. Here, we take a look at some footage, some stats, and ask what questions it poses for Scotland.
You might immediately notice the high ratings, and then the numerous zeroes besides his goals and assists. Considering Ryan Christie has always been a forward-type player, you'd be forgiven for thinking the match rating is somewhat generous (and sometimes FotMob's really is).
However, in this case, the ratings are not misattributed; because Ryan Christie, at 28, under Andoni Iraola, is no longer a forward, and he might give Steve Clarke a headache if he keeps playing as he is.
What did you notice from this video?
Up against Super John McGinn, and his deservedly lauded Villa side, Ryan Christie was the best player on the pitch, in a new defensive midfield role.
Compared against other midfielders in the PL this season, Christie is in the +80th percentile (on avg) for numerous defensive actions - a stat that is rising as his last 5 games have shown. As a former further education tutor, I enjoy a good consideration of stats, especially when people interpret them and lend some prose their way, so let's have a go... I'll leave out the Harvard referencing.
Jon MacKenzie recently broke down Iraola's 'hybrid pressing' on the excellent Tifo Youtube Channel. In it, he exposed how Bournemouth press via 'triggers' (not surprising), but in a way that balances a willingness to close down high with a defensive solidity that can contain any counter (should the press fail).
Alongside his pivot partner Lewis Cook, who does the majority of 'sitting', Christie uses his seemingly limitless energy to advance and join the press, and, well, he really is elite in this regard (97th percentile for Tackles in the Att. 3rd).
We've seen it before for Scotland, where he presses and harries high up the pitch, usually as one of the front three, next to a centre-forward (either Lyndon Dykes or Che Adams) and with John McGinn on the other side.
What is different this season, is that Christie joins the attack from a defensive midfield position (a '6', or 'pivot' position). His goal isn't only to win the ball, it is to contribute to the 'hybrid press' Jon McKenzie mentions - to apply coordinated pressure via fluid movement built upon two things;
An understanding of your role in the team out of possession.
A trust in your teammate to cover/follow any pressure you make.
Why is Christie so good in this role?
Well, as Scottish football fans, consider what we know of him.
Regardless of any criticism, it is commonly regarded that with Ryan Christie you will receive many qualities delivered via two constants:
Energy.
Speed.
Crucially, with Iraola, we can now add another facet to his game.
3. Intelligence
Like McGinn under Emery, Christie under Iraola is learning how to use his natural qualities with an increased game intelligence. Alongside Lewis Ferguson, currently captaining an aspiring Bologna side under Thiago Motta, this bodes very well for the discerning Scotland fan. We're becoming a squad of thinkers, not mere grafters, a nod to our Enlightenment past.
As with Burns, Hume, and Smith - Christie's development is more than simply knowing what to do. It is first asking why, when and how to do it.
This is the difference between good coaches and the best coaches - those who can influence 28 and 29yo professionals, and make them noticeably better. This results in an appetite to know more - or as McGinn has recently said of Emery's coaching, 'you're always learning'.
As an educator, familiar with learning theory, this fascinates me. It's not about knowing the right answers. It's about the transmission of the underlying philosophies that dictate the beliefs and values on which your output depends. Bournemouth and Villa are good because they really believe in what they are doing.
Within each side, Iraola and Emery have spotted the qualities of Christie and McGinn and developed them to achieve an elite level in their respective roles.
Even Christie's shots on target have improved (before the Celtic fans remind us!)
Another of the Invernesian's qualities is that of his 'elegance', and this isn't wasted in a deeper position, it just looks a bit different.
It is a hard perk to show in stats, but it is inarguable. Christie's style has always been good on the eye. He is slight, left-footed, and dribbles with the ball on a string (see above video). Crucially, this season, he has delivered an end-product too (87th percentile for Successful Take-Ons).
From a deeper role, this doesn't mean beating a man and getting a cross/shot away. Rather, Christie is using his ball-carrying ability to break the lines of midfield and become the catalyst for attacks. Often the energy and speed before the assist.
Sixteen games into the season, his personal return of two assists is marginally less than the xAG he has been registering (0.20 per 90). You only need to see the missed chances in Bournemouth's matches to understand this - in a higher quality side, or in one that is just hitting form, don't be surprised to see his goal involvements rise.
So what are we to make of this as Scotland fans?
Our 'pivots' have been set for a long time, with Callum McGregor and Billy Gilmour being the most popular pairing.
Can Christie challenge either for a starting spot?
courtesy of Squawka; stats per90
Up against McGregor's Champions League Statistics, we can get an idea of the relative traits of each player, admittedly playing in very different sides.
However, there are similarities.
Under Brendan Rodgers in the CL, Celtic have played well at times, and scored some terrific goals, despite suffering losses. Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi are similar in that they are a side who favour possession and work it creatively through their pivot players, with Gilmour receiving most of the ball, other than Lewis Dunk and his accompanying central defensive partner.
Neither side has had it their own way, but in both, Gilmour and McGregor have shone.
What you'll notice, is that Christie wins the ball back more than Gilmour or McGregor. Using Champions League statistics means a jump in McGregor's blocks, clearances and interceptions, but Christie still ranks joint highest for the latter.
Intelligence effecting energy and speed.
Essentially, although an imperfect comparison, this indicates that playing Christie next to either McGregor or Gilmour would mean more turnovers for Scotland, if only they also did the hybrid press. But wait a minute... Iraola didn't invent the wheel.
We first saw it work to perfection vs. Denmark at the end of a qualification campaign that saw us beat the Scandanavian's 2-0 to finish second with 19 points.
They didn't get out their half.
It was the first time I remember thinking that McGinn was a forward for Scotland. When he pressed, they all pressed. But with a back line that remained, and it was very noticeable at Hampden, with Souttar winning everything that came his way (as well as scoring the second goal).
Scotland can hybrid press because Scotland do hybrid press. This is what I was thinking watching the Tifo video above. Steve Clarke has managed to implement increasingly intricate strategies to get the best out of his players, and the successes of Christie will not have escaped his notice.
So will he trade one of his longest-serving lieutenants in McGregor or Gilmour for the Cherries' man in form?
Looking yet deeper into the crystal ball, we can suggest that this would come at the expense of keeping the ball. McGregor and Gilmour both have incredible stats in this regard, particularly Gilmour, who, contrary to popular belief, attempts 19 forward passes as part of his repertoire, per 90.
And this; this is probably the conclusion.
Because Scotland need to keep the ball via Gilmour and McGregor, and both as superb at it.
Against higher-quality opponents, however, don't be surprised to see Christie on the teamsheet.
I'm not sure if it will be as an advancing pivot, who is given liberty to press as part of the hybrid, or as that player behind/to the side of the centre-forward.
One thing is for sure; it will be with speed, energy, and increasing intelligence.
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