Decline of Traditional Wingers in Premier League
The number of traditional wide players starting in the Premier League has significantly decreased this season, with most teams opting for inverted wingers and some using wing-backs.
In this context, traditional wingers refer to predominantly left-footed players on the left wing and right-footed players on the right. Inverted wingers, on the other hand, are left-footed players positioned on the right side, exemplified by Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.
Last season, an average of 11 traditional wingers were utilized each weekend by this time. This figure has now fallen to just 4.4 this season, representing a 60% decline.
Some of this reduction can be attributed to changing circumstances rather than an outright tactical shift, as new teams and managers have entered the league. However, clubs like Bournemouth and Everton have somewhat defied this trend this season.
The Toffees have fielded primarily right-footed Iliman Ndiaye on the right wing five times to accommodate Jack Grealish on the left, whereas Ndiaye was primarily deployed on the left last season.
At Bournemouth, manager Andoni Iraola has started left-footed David Brooks on the left and right-footed Antoine Semenyo on the right three times this season, although both players often switch flanks during matches.
In the latest round of Premier League fixtures, only three natural wide players began on the side of the pitch corresponding to their dominant foot: Manchester City's Savinho, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, and Anthony Elanga at Newcastle. In the equivalent round last season, that number was 10.
Giggs Advocates for the Return of Traditional Wing Play
Legendary Manchester United player Ryan Giggs has expressed a desire for the revival of traditional wing play, asserting that modern football has become overly constrained.
"I hope it comes back, with left-footers on the left and right-footers on the right," said the 51-year-old during a panel discussion on 'Player Development the Manchester United Way' at the Training Ground Guru conference at Old Trafford.
He acknowledged the argument against this approach, citing exceptional players like Gareth Bale, Arjen Robben, and Mohamed Salah, who thrive while playing on the opposite flank. "We used to play with two centre-forwards or a number 10, trying to beat the full-back on the outside and deliver crosses. Now, it often involves coming inside and linking play. But I hope it returns; I want to see wide players beat defenders on the outside and get crosses in," he added.
Giggs has not held a management position since stepping down as Wales manager in 2022 following domestic abuse allegations, which he denied. All charges were dropped after his former partner declined to testify at a retrial in 2023. Earlier this year, he also resigned as director of football at League Two club Salford City, which he co-owned.
Regarded as one of the greatest players of the Premier League era, Giggs holds the record for the most assists in the league's history.
"I admit I am biased; I was a winger who aimed to create excitement for the fans," he noted. "Sir Alex Ferguson used to say, 'Give the guy who works in the factory something to smile about.' I enjoyed making forward passes and attempting difficult plays without fearing reprimand from the manager."
While today's players are highly skilled and technical, Giggs criticized the current trend of micro-management that stifles individuality, noting that every positional change is meticulously planned and coaches frequently direct players from the sidelines.
He cited Jack Grealish's experience as an example; after joining Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021 as a record signing, Grealish's spontaneous playing style was curtailed by Pep Guardiola's emphasis on possession football.
"You don't want to dwell too much on the past, but it does seem as though certain talented players are being stifled," Giggs remarked. "There are still some, like Josh King at Fulham and Martin Ødegaard, who excite me, but overall, the game feels more robotic now, with rigid patterns of play and an emphasis on defensive strategies."
As traditional wing play appears to be fading, it seems that the trend of inverted wingers is likely to persist.