Is the 'inverted' winger here to stay?

"Image source, Getty Images The number of 'traditional' wide players starting in the Premier League is significantly down this season, with the majority of teams deploying inverted wingers and a few starting with wing-backs. Traditional in this sense means a predominantly left-footed player lining up on the left wing or a right-footed player on the right, while an inverted winger would be a left-footed player on the right. Mohamed Salah at Liverpool or Bukayo Saka at Arsenal are prime examples."

"An average of 11 traditional wingers were used each weekend by this stage last season. That total has now dropped to just 4.4 this term - a reduction of 60%. Some of that decrease can be attributed to circumstance rather than a complete tactical shift, with new teams and managers entering the division, while the likes of Bournemouth and Everton have tended to buck that trend this season."

"In the previous round of Premier League fixtures, only three natural wide players started on the side of the pitch that corresponded to their strongest foot - Manchester City's Savinho, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Anthony Elanga at Newcastle. During last season's equivalent round of matches that number was 10. Legendary Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has called for the return of orthodox wing play and believes that modern day football has become 'strangled'."

The number of traditional wide players starting in the Premier League has fallen by 60%, dropping from an average of 11 per weekend to 4.4. Traditional wide players are predominantly left-footed on the left or right-footed on the right, while inverted wingers play on the opposite flank. High-profile examples of inverted wide players include Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka. Some clubs remain exceptions, with Everton and Bournemouth using traditional wide players to accommodate tactical adjustments and personnel. Recent match rounds saw only three natural wide players start on their strong-foot side, versus ten in the equivalent round last season. A call exists for a return to orthodox wing play.

Read at www.bbc.com