Said Benrahma may be undergoing a real dip in form because Alan Irvine has left the club!
The Algeria international has been struggling throughout this season and has become a frustratingly in and out performer.
Against Liverpool, he came off the bench and was roundly terrible, failing to impact the game at all in the final third.
This season, indeed, he has made 34 appearances in all competitions and scored eight goals, although three of those came in the Europa League.
He hasn’t scored or provided an assist in the league since New Year’s Day, when he provided an assist against Crystal Palace.
The Athletic has reported previously that Benrahma was close with Irvine and that the pair used to watch footage together, before then training as a pair.
Irvine would reportedly point out mistakes to Benrahma and then urge him to repeat the movements on the training ground so he knew how to approach it in the actual game.
David Moyes, by comparison, has been somewhat tough on the Algerian, insisting that he has to play for the team.
It doesn’t seem as though he is getting the same special treatment as he once was.
Maybe that’s why he just isn’t performing!
Or maybe the AfCON took it out of him, and he’s taking a bit of time to recover? He’s had decent runs in the side in the past, where he’s looked lively and making things happen. Feels like he can do that again.
They went out in leagiue stage and he came on twice as a sub I think mate!
It might just be. It’s always tough when a mentor leaves. However I was thinking when you posted the stats from Liverpool game in another article. Benrahma did not do much offensively, but he won 3 tackles. You said something along the lines of this being irrelevant from an attacking midfielder, but surely it means working for the team??
I believe Benrahma needs to figure out when to pass when to shoot and when to dribble – as in my opinion he tends to chose the wrong option in many situations. The Irvine notion goes to support that assumption
Moyes not keen on technically players just work horses which isn’t benrahma at all. Like not using Chesters or okoflex and bringing on the useless vlasic says it all . That’s why moyes has never won anything ., one more season next after 7 minimum quality players brought in then will see if moyes actually does have a plan b .
Claret…. you are 100% spot on …. No man management skills or tactical awareness … … Trying to protect a lead with 10 to go …. bring on Noble and leave Diop on the bench … REALLY …Moyes is a one trick pony and dosen’t even know Plan B exists .