David Raya Tactical Analysis
A detailed deep dive on the Spanish shot stopper and why he’s a very astute potential signing for Manchester United
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🔴⚪️⚫️
A detailed deep dive on the Spanish shot stopper and why he’s a very astute potential signing for Manchester United
🇪🇸
🔴⚪️⚫️
Player Profile:
Name: David Raya
Age: 26
Club: Brentford
Nationality: Spanish
Value: €22m
Height: 1.83m
Club games played: 272
Name: David Raya
Age: 26
Club: Brentford
Nationality: Spanish
Value: €22m
Height: 1.83m
Club games played: 272
Strengths/Weaknesses
✅Long passing
✅Composure
✅Reflexes
✅Shot stopping
✅Cross Claiming
✅Under a high ball
✅Positioning
✅Speed off his line
❌No Outstanding weaknesses
✅Long passing
✅Composure
✅Reflexes
✅Shot stopping
✅Cross Claiming
✅Under a high ball
✅Positioning
✅Speed off his line
❌No Outstanding weaknesses
Key talking points of the thread
1️⃣Distribution
2️⃣Cross Claiming
3️⃣Shot stopping
4️⃣Sweeping ability
5️⃣Impact on team build up
1️⃣Distribution
2️⃣Cross Claiming
3️⃣Shot stopping
4️⃣Sweeping ability
5️⃣Impact on team build up
1️⃣Distribution
Raya is an excellent long passer. He attempts a lot of long balls due to Brentford’s direct play style but his accuracy is sublime
He has good vision/quick reactions, often setting counter attacks from quick long kicks/throws to the attackers
Raya is an excellent long passer. He attempts a lot of long balls due to Brentford’s direct play style but his accuracy is sublime
He has good vision/quick reactions, often setting counter attacks from quick long kicks/throws to the attackers
Raya is an excellent long kicker but he has different techniques. He is a very strong kicker out of his hands, he strikes across the ball with fizz, gaining speed with a usually flat trajectory that accurately picks our team mates
It’s a major counter attacking threat
It’s a major counter attacking threat
Ranking in the 95th% for long accurate long passes, brilliant ball striker
His accurate long kicking would be an asset for Utd. When we build from the back, invite the opposition onto us before Raya can evade the press by kicking long. A tactic Erik wanted to deploy vs Brentford
His accurate long kicking would be an asset for Utd. When we build from the back, invite the opposition onto us before Raya can evade the press by kicking long. A tactic Erik wanted to deploy vs Brentford
Raya has a nice clipped pass, it is a key press to be able to play over high pressing wingers to be able to effectively build from the back
Diogo Costa is amazing at these passes, Raya is good at this but it isn’t required as much at Brentford, it will be a big requirement Utd
Diogo Costa is amazing at these passes, Raya is good at this but it isn’t required as much at Brentford, it will be a big requirement Utd
This looks a very simple pass, it is simple but you need to read into the pass further.
He times the pass correctly to give Mee more time on the ball, doesn’t panic or go long. Having a GK who’s comfortable on the ball is so key to retaining possession & sustaining pressure
He times the pass correctly to give Mee more time on the ball, doesn’t panic or go long. Having a GK who’s comfortable on the ball is so key to retaining possession & sustaining pressure
2️⃣Cross claiming
Raya is ELITE in this area. Playing for Brentford, a team with less possession will mean he comes under more threat from crosses
However, he deals with then excellently, ranking in the top 5% for crosses stopped. A great way of relieving defensive pressure
Raya is ELITE in this area. Playing for Brentford, a team with less possession will mean he comes under more threat from crosses
However, he deals with then excellently, ranking in the top 5% for crosses stopped. A great way of relieving defensive pressure
United have had a poor record from set plays in terms of goals conceded. I do feel some of this is down to De Gea refusing to come off his line
Raya is so commanding, keen to come off his line & shows great authority when he does. An extra defender to clear the ball effectively
Raya is so commanding, keen to come off his line & shows great authority when he does. An extra defender to clear the ball effectively
In both clips here Raya does so well. The first the ball is dropping onto the head of Kane, Raya moves his feet excellently before a good catch
The 2nd is a really powerful lunch, he gets there but also puts great distance on the punch, he’s a big presence in his own box
The 2nd is a really powerful lunch, he gets there but also puts great distance on the punch, he’s a big presence in his own box
3️⃣Shot Stopping
Raya is a really strong shot stopper. He faces a high volume of shots/shots on target but is average for goals conceded
Ranking in the top 5% for saves made, really impressive. He has quick reflexes/reactions combined with good movement to get into position
Raya is a really strong shot stopper. He faces a high volume of shots/shots on target but is average for goals conceded
Ranking in the top 5% for saves made, really impressive. He has quick reflexes/reactions combined with good movement to get into position
📹1: excellent stop, Raya has a good reach but has good movement to get across & he has a really nice leap
📹2: watch him before the shot is taking, subtle movements to get in the correct position. Really strong wrist to parry the ball out from his near post, great save
📹2: watch him before the shot is taking, subtle movements to get in the correct position. Really strong wrist to parry the ball out from his near post, great save
📹1: video quality doesn’t do this justice. Amazing reflexes to change his position to adjust for the deflection. Brilliant save
📹2: the ball travels through bodies but it’s a fantastic adjustment to save the ball after seeing it late plus the deflection
📹2: the ball travels through bodies but it’s a fantastic adjustment to save the ball after seeing it late plus the deflection
4️⃣Sweeping
Raya is a good sweeper off the ball, currently at Brentford he isn’t required to do it as much however he has shown many times he has the ability to do it
His high starting position plus quick reactions/movement allow him to sweep effectively.
Raya is a good sweeper off the ball, currently at Brentford he isn’t required to do it as much however he has shown many times he has the ability to do it
His high starting position plus quick reactions/movement allow him to sweep effectively.
Raya is really quick off his line, he shows superb reactions and brilliant decision making to choose when to come out and narrow the angle
He also starts high, enabling him to get close to the ball in less time whether that’s an over the top pass or a ST running through
He also starts high, enabling him to get close to the ball in less time whether that’s an over the top pass or a ST running through
These are his stats for the current PL season and the 20/21 season when Brentford player in the championship, a time when Raya played in a team with more control & possession, in a higher line
When required he shows he is very capable of sweeping, he can do it at United for sure
When required he shows he is very capable of sweeping, he can do it at United for sure
5️⃣Impact on United
This type of GK profile is so important to the way Ten Hag wants to play. We can push our defensive line higher up the pitch to squeeze the opposition, having a more aggressive press knowing Raya will sweep any over the top passes behind our defensive line
This type of GK profile is so important to the way Ten Hag wants to play. We can push our defensive line higher up the pitch to squeeze the opposition, having a more aggressive press knowing Raya will sweep any over the top passes behind our defensive line
If we do encounter a period of pressure where teams may cross into the box to increase chance creation Rayas claiming ability will ease pressure on our defence
The same is true at set pieces. The introduction of Raya would definitely prevent GCA rather than having to save them
The same is true at set pieces. The introduction of Raya would definitely prevent GCA rather than having to save them
Finally a really key point. His ability on the ball will allow us to outnumber the opposition press. It means we can gain more possession, play through teams easier & gain greater control of the ball
His range of passing will allow us to play through the 3rds quicker
His range of passing will allow us to play through the 3rds quicker
Raya is out of contract in 2024, meaning it’s likely Brentford will not be able to demand a huge fee. £15m would be an incredible price for a player of his quality
The lower fee would also allow United to focus money in key areas like ST & a ball progressing midfielder
The lower fee would also allow United to focus money in key areas like ST & a ball progressing midfielder
Summary
- Raya is a really good goalkeeper. Interestingly he keeps De Gea out of the Spain squad
- he offers all the facets of a top modern Gk
- his value for money is exceptional
- he’s premier league proven and has an excellent level headed mentality. A good character who
- Raya is a really good goalkeeper. Interestingly he keeps De Gea out of the Spain squad
- he offers all the facets of a top modern Gk
- his value for money is exceptional
- he’s premier league proven and has an excellent level headed mentality. A good character who
I think could be able to hand the pressure of playing as the Man United no 1
- at only 27, he is capable of playing at the top level for another 10 years
- understands the principle of what Ten Hag wants, has seen that playing under Luis Enrique for his national team
- at only 27, he is capable of playing at the top level for another 10 years
- understands the principle of what Ten Hag wants, has seen that playing under Luis Enrique for his national team
END OF THREAD
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the information on Raya and can see what a good keeper he is. Like/retweet the thread and drop a follow for more content.
Thank you🙏
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the information on Raya and can see what a good keeper he is. Like/retweet the thread and drop a follow for more content.
Thank you🙏
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