Crossing has a simple definition. Opta define a cross as a ‘‘ball from a wide position intending to reach a team mate in a specific area in front of the goal.’’ But it can be broken down whereby there are actually different ways to send the ball into the penalty-area, and thus different reasons as to where and why players do so.
Making notes on matches throughout the 2023/24 Premier league season so far, it reaffirmed the idea for me that player roles, and profile, as well as team tactics, can determine where players cross from, the sort of crosses they play, and how often they cross.
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The Conventional Playmaker 