France manager Didier Deschamps has a selection headache ahead of Les Blues’ last-16 clash to come. Striker Olivier Giroud was withdrawn after a disappointing performance against Albania, and started on the bench for their last group game against Switzerland. Head coach Deschamps has a decision to make on who will lead the line between Giroud, André-Pierre Gignac, Antoine Griezmann and Anthony Martial in the knockout rounds.
Here are five reasons why Martial deserves the nod….
Martial better at beating the offside trap
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial could not have more of an opposing playing style to the Arsenal centre-forward, and that should work in his favour when Deschamps weighs up his options. Martial likes to get in behind the opposition, and for the France team it means he can stretch the opposition when they’re on the ball. Giroud, however collects the ball to feet, but his lack of penetrating runs mean France are easier to defend against.
Martial is expert at timing his runs off the last man, being caught offside only once every 155 minutes in the Premier League, compared to Giroud’s 94 minutes. Martial would make for a good out ball for France to turn defence into attack, and Les Blues have been desperate for a player to make the runs off the last man to thread through on goal, rather than whipping in cross after cross to no avail for Giroud.
More ruthless a finisher
With games often tight in tournament football, a single goal can often be the difference, and Giroud has already spurned eight chances. Despite Anthony Martial playing on the wing for Manchester United in 2015/16, he’s proven himself to be a real ruthless finisher in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old’s shots-per-goal (inside the penalty area) ratio stands at 4.1(24%), compared to Olivier Giroud’s 5.9 (17%) this season. Giroud has taken 77% more shots than Martial, but has scored only five more goals. Martial boasts 11 goals from 57 shots, compared to Giroud’s 16 goals from 101 shots.
Boasts excessive pace
Anthony Martial is one of the best accelerators in possession, and loves to burst past his opposite marker to work an opening in the final third. His pace sees him outrunning opposing defences with ease, something Giroud is unable to do. France like to play fast in possession at times, and Martial is a player who best fits such a style given the ground speed he can cover.
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With many ball-players in the team, having somebody who can beat most anyone in a foot race means Les Blues always have an option. Giroud can’t accelerate past defenders like Martial, and instead is forced to be used as the link between midfield and attack. He can’t be played through balls, and his lack of pace frequently sees him losing our when trying to work the channels.
More composed in possession
A big quandary for Deschamps will be considering how good his striker candidates are with the ball at their feet. Giroud players as a target man for club and country, but averaged just 22 passes (68% complete) per game in the Premier League last season, while creating 36 chances for teammates.
Martial trumps him in possession play, making 30 passes per game (77%) and creating 37 chances. Giroud averages an unsuccessful touch every 29 minutes, compared to Martial’s improved 36 minutes. Fine margins, but considering Martial makes 60 or more touches over game to Giroud’s 40+, it’s notable how much more composed the 20-year-old is on the ball.
Tactically very versatile
Anthony Martial is a much better squad player for a tournament that Olivier Giroud with his versatility across the frontline. The young forward can play on the left or right flank for club and country, as well as playing through the middle, and it means he offers his manager a host of attacking options in regard to a plan b on the pitch.
Giroud, on the other hand, just doesn’t have the athleticism to play out wide, and is very much a one dimensional player in the squad. If he plays he has to lead the line. Martial can play anywhere across the attack, and will perform consistently in any role