Rumarn Burrell - Omar Comin'
"This range? And this calibre? Even if I miss, I can't miss"
I wanted to do a short-ish piece on QPR striker Rumarn Burrell mainly because I think he’s a number 9 in the modern game that’s perhaps going exstinct? and he’s one of the few that’s keeping it alive. Erling Haaland is considered one of the best strikers of the modern era because he’s deadly in front of goal. Haaland for example averages roughly 3.8 shots per goal scored. Burrell? 3.33. He’s so far ahead of every number 9 in League One last season and The Championship this season it can’t be considered a patch of form or just a one off, there’s a method to how he scores goals. There’s a reason he’s had the most big chances created for him this season in the league with 13 and that’s what I’m going to look at.
Shot maps.
As you can see from his shot maps from last season and this season currently, he’s not a high volume shooter but a very accurate one. Also that he’s got good placement as well as being efficient from close range. 13 goals from inside the six yard box is someone who knows how to be in the right place at the right time consistently. He’s also very speedy and quite small stature wise, so he’s not going to be someone you want to floating crosses into or linking play regularly, and judging by his numbers of completing around 9 passes per game, It’s not something he’s asked to do either. But what I’m going to do is analyse every single goal he’s scored for QPR this season and see if there’s any method to the science of him being this good in front of goal.
Goal 1 vs Wrexham:
I know this went down as an own goal and he scored a 1v1 later in the game but I wanted to use this goal more as a highlight to the subtle movements he has in the box. Simple but effective. Burrell is watching the ball at all times, but is also not attacking the space early because it means there’s no opportunity should the ball become free. He’s got his arm on his defender to gradually get in front of him and as soon as that ball is loose in his area, he’s able to spring off him and react quicker than anyone else.
Goal 2 vs Millwall:
This goal is all about instincts. What he’s doing is natural to him to be where he thinks he should be. The first movement to run back where he came from whilst Dembele had the ball and then immediately follows his run where nobody else is as the ball is played wide. It’s knowing where to be and being where the space is. Not everyone scores this type of goal because not every striker would think to run into the space in the box — most would carry on their run ahead of them.
Goal 3 vs Swansea:
This might be my favourite goal from Burrell so far. You might think all he’s done here is run front post, which he does, but the small details of him to have that opportunity was all made by him and I’ll tell you why. Firstly it starts with the build-up on the left side. Burrell at no point allows the defender to be in range of him to tussle or be close to stop any form of run. Secondly he keeps the option open for the crosser of the ball to play a cross into the penalty spot when he checks back. Thirdly as soon as the ball is played to the second QPR player to cross the ball, he makes his move before the ball is crossed to the only place it can go in that situation, the near post. Burrell was in control of that entire move by only touching the ball once which was the finish.
Goal 4 vs Ipswich:
There’s not a lot to this goal other than being what he is and that’s always alert in the box. Hand up as he wants the ball delivered, moves just before the shot is taken and follows up immediately to tap home as he’s expecting some form of ball near him. It’s what great poachers do. Always alert, always ready.
Goal 5 vs Southampton:
There’s two parts to this goal. The first part is the move that never happened that he’s anticipating. You notice his position whilst Chair is on the ball down the right. He’s standing clearly in an offside position and that’s intentional. It’s because he’s expecting Chair or the ball down the line to Kone to play across to which he’s then not in an offside position but also still ahead of the Saints defenders for a, and in best case scenario, a likely easy finish. The second part is him resetting himself when he realises Field is on the ball. He notices the gap appear between the RCB and RB and arches his run into that gap where the ball at that angle can only go and he does the rest. He’s all about exploiting space at the right time.
Goal 6 vs Hull:
This goal is the very definition of you make your own luck and reminds me of what Calvert-Lewin said in an interview about Carlo Ancelotti and what he said to him about the role of a 9. I’m paraphrasing of course but it was along the lines of if you stay within the width of the posts at all times and within distance of the penalty spot, you will score goals no matter who you are.
Goal 7 vs Norwich:
If you notice Burrell is rarely back post in any of these goals from when the ball is near the by-line. He’s always closing the distance that the ball has to travel because it’s much easier to get contact and it’s much easier for his teammate crossing the ball. He can’t see the first pass as he’s trying to move his head to know where the ball is, but can see the ball come back to Jimmy Dunne and immediately moves into the space before Dunne has crossed the ball. It’s about being ready first and there first. If he’s half a second late the centre back for Norwich is able to either block or put Burrell off.
Goal 8 vs West Brom:
Blimey. A different type of goal. This time showing his speed to close down the opponent in the press and be alert in the box should it bounce his way, which it does, and a composed finish. Yeah he’ll also miss chances, what striker doesn’t - but he’s never panicked. Look at this finish for example. Doesn’t smash it, looks at the keeper and picks his spot.
Goal 9 vs West Brom:
He’s like when you play football in your house with the dog and you do your best to do quick stepovers or hold him off like you’re up against prime Cannavaro but the dog’s eyes never leaves the ball. Burrell’s eyes here never leaves the ball whilst simultaneously staying close to Kone for the cut back or if there is a loose ball, he can react to it. Burrell is a classic case of sometimes you have it and sometimes you don’t. His instincts of being in the right place at the right time is not something you can teach, it’s natural, it’s why he’ll always score goals whether that be 8-10 a season or 10+.