Manchester United Signs Goalkeeper Senne Lammens

Manchester United has made its final signing of the summer, securing goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on the last day of the transfer window, outpacing Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.

The pressing question remains: how good is Lammens currently? And could he potentially establish himself as United's first-choice goalkeeper for years to come?

This article provides an in-depth analysis of his strengths and weaknesses based on his performances from the previous season.

One of the Best in the World According to Data

Lammens has distinguished himself through impressive statistics, with club sources at United highlighting his exceptional metrics in areas such as claimed crosses, shot-stopping ability, and a notable lack of errors leading to goals.

His shot-stopping statistics are particularly remarkable. Among all goalkeepers in Europe's top ten leagues last season, Lammens ranked first for total saves made (173) with a save percentage of 77.4%. Expected to concede 66.4 goals based on xG, he only allowed 48 goals (excluding own goals), placing him second in Europe for goals prevented, as he statistically saved 18.4 goals.

However, it is crucial to analyze match footage to provide context to these statistics. What types of situations does Lammens frequently encounter? And how do these stats hold up when observing his performance in light of his move to Manchester United?

How Lammens Handles One-on-Ones

Let’s first examine his shot-stopping capabilities. It is essential to differentiate between long and short one-on-one situations when assessing goalkeepers.

In long one-on-ones, the attacker approaches from a distance, allowing both the player and the goalkeeper more time to react, which introduces distinct challenges compared to short-distance encounters.

Lammens demonstrates a smart approach to one-on-ones, though not without minor flaws. He possesses the speed to rush out and typically chooses to partially close the angle as the attacker enters the box. After advancing, he tends to hold his position, making himself appear larger to force the attacker into a decision.

By minimizing the angles available for the striker, he complicates their scoring opportunities. He avoids going to ground too early, which reduces the likelihood of conceding penalties or being rounded for an easy tap-in.

However, a downside to his methodology is that if attackers shoot early, there can be space on either side of him, resulting in what may appear to be an easy finish. This can also occur if Lammens hesitates in his initial approach, leaving him caught between positions.

In short one-on-one situations, Lammens quickly narrows the angle without committing too heavily to one side, preventing strikers from finding a clear target. He does not attempt to smother the ball with a sliding motion but maintains a square stance with arms outstretched, creating a broad barrier similar to a cricket stance. His height, excellent reflexes, and leg use make him a formidable presence in these scenarios.

How Lammens Saves Shots from Distance

A significant portion of the shots Lammens faced last season came from distance or with defenders positioned in front of him. In these instances, he has been relatively assured, although he often faced opponents of a lower caliber than he would encounter in the Premier League.

Occasionally, he positions himself slightly advanced of his goal line, which can help reduce the angle for attackers, enabling him to make saves from shots aimed toward the top corner more effectively.

This positioning allows him to get his body behind shots from distance, often making difficult saves appear easier. However, should an attacker shoot early or through a crowded area, he may have less time to react, making a deeper position closer to the goal preferable for quick reflex saves.

Best at Stopping Crosses in Europe or Misleading Data?

Club sources have noted Lammens’ impressive ability to stop crosses, and the data supports this claim; he ranked first among all goalkeepers in Europe’s top ten leagues for crosses stopped at 13.2% last season.

With Manchester United having struggled defensively at corners early in the season, they hope Lammens’ statistics will translate into improved performance.

However, closer observation reveals why these impressive numbers may not immediately resolve their corner difficulties. Lammens is proactive in claiming crosses, often leaving his line to catch aerial balls. In the Belgian Pro League, he dealt with many uncontested crosses, enabling him to confidently intercept them, especially given his height of 6 feet 4 inches. This contributes to his high percentage of successful crosses stopped.

During set-pieces, particularly corners, he exhibits a similar eagerness, but with less success. His instinct is to claim the ball, yet he sometimes struggles to judge its trajectory, attempting to catch or punch it when he should remain on his line.

The difference between his strong performance in stopping crosses and his corner statistics becomes clearer when considering that he conceded eight goals from 85 corners last season, according to Opta. This 9% concession rate ranks him lower than 15 other Premier League goalkeepers who faced over 20 corners last season. In contrast, Aston Villa’s Martinez performed significantly better, conceding only two goals from 60 corners faced.

While Lammens’ 9% concession rate is an improvement over United's previous first-choice keeper, Andre Onana, who conceded 17.2%, it’s essential to note that these figures are influenced by the quality of the league, the opposing teams, and the overall defensive capabilities of the squad. United's struggles with corner defense may challenge Lammens as he adjusts to the Premier League's physicality and tactical intricacies.

His confidence, aggression, and ability to command the box will be crucial as he embarks on this new chapter with Manchester United.

Manchester United Signs Goalkeeper Senne Lammens

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