the reasons behind Ben Yedder’s failed start to the season
Absent from Didier Deschamps’ list for the next gathering of the Blues, Wissam Ben Yedder is having a very complicated start to the season with AS Monaco. Recognized for being a finisher in front of goal, the statistics of the former Sevillian do not plead for him: only 1 goal in 9 games. Far from his 32 achievements in 52 games during the previous season.
Competition with Embolo
His trainer Philippe Clément has preferred Breel Embolo for two weeks. The Swiss striker arrived this summer from Borussia Monchengladbach has already found the net three times, and a different profile from that of Ben Yedder. His repeated courses, his efforts in pressing and his play in support appeal to the Monegasque staff. Regularly associated with Kévin Volland in a 4-4-2 during the previous exercise, Wissam Ben Yedder also undergoes the tactical change which corresponds better to Breel Embolo. Alone at the forefront in a 3-4-3, the ASM captain struggles to show himself in the game and creates situations for himself.
The principality club in difficulty
“What should be done to help Wissam Ben Yedder? Give him good balls”. Philippe Clément admitted after the defeat of his team on Thursday evening against Ferencvaros (0-1) that the evil was deeper. AS Monaco no longer shines in the game and on the contrary concedes many situations. 114 shots have been attempted to beat Alexander Nubel this season in Ligue 1, more than against any other team, and it’s not for nothing that the German is the goalkeeper who makes the most saves in Championship (37) Offensively, AS Monaco also stutter their football and are only the tenth attack in Ligue 1 with ten goals scored in these first seven days, six of them from set pieces.
Qatar remains in a corner of its head
Since June 2019, the Monegasque striker had only missed one rally and it was because of the Covid-19. Usual understudy of Karim Benzema or Olivier Giroud, Wissam Ben Yedder intends to regain his place for Qatar: “He wants to be at the World Cup and he has the will to prove in the coming weeks” admitted Philippe Clément, after the announcement of Didier Deschamps’ list. The coach does not close the door for him for the world: “He is not going through his best period for a few weeks, through what he can do on the ground and his playing time. He has been called up regularly with us, but just because he’s not here today doesn’t mean he can’t come later.”