Rhian Brewster’s Sheffield United Rebirth | OneFootball

For a while now, Rhian Brewster has split opinions at Sheffield United. Not helped by injuries and being the club’s most expensive signing ever. Brewster has been the subject of more scrutiny than any Sheffield United player in recent memory.

Am I saying that he has justified his signing fee this season? No. But I think it’s time we let that one go. Just see Brewster for the player he is because this season we seem to be seeing a new Brewster. Less focused on being a striker and more on being a creator.

The Headline Stats

Let’s get the main numbers out of the way before diving deeper. This season Rhian Brewster has provided four goal contributions for the Blades (two goals and two assists). Yesterday, Brewster added his second assist of the season with a great fast-paced ball across the box to Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. He was also unlucky not to add a third as his powerful shot thundered against the crossbar.

His output has to be put in perspective of his playing time. He has made 25 Championship appearances and started nine matches. In total he has totted up 960 minutes, nine full matches and an hour. Therefore, his four total goal contributions look more impressive given his limited role.

The 2021-2022 season saw Brewster’s best output to date with four goals in 16 appearances in all competitions. So, this season is set to be his best season in a Blades shirt in terms of output ever. With just a goal or an assist making it his most prolific.

What has been particularly interesting this season is his turn as a winger playing behind the Blades’ other strikers. This has seen Brewster become a more involved and effective member of the team. Interestingly, it has been when Rhian Brewster has played as a striker, that the two goals have gone in and as a winger when he’s made the two assists.

The difference is in the detail

Whilst, he has led the Blades frontline during his goalscoring outings at Millwall and Swansea City. Brewster has primarily played either behind the striker or on either wing this season.

Most Improved – Passing

Proof of the effectiveness of playing Brewster as a winger or attacking midfielder can be seen in his passing stats. His season percentage for pass accuracy 79.7% has him in the 94th percentile for the stat among other forwards. Making Brewster one of the most accurate forwards when it comes to passing. More interesting is his accurate long balls (19), Brewster is in the 97th percentile, suggesting that the passes he completes make him one of the Championship’s most progressive passing forwards.

Brewster also has created 12 chances this season placing him in the average for forwards in the Championship. Plus, as witnessed yesterday, Brewster is in the 92nd percentile for forwards who have made successful crosses.

Shooting

Brewster has proven this season how desperate he is to improve his Blades’ record and you can see it in his numbers.

Despite only scoring two goals, Brewster’s xG is 2.4 suggesting that he can score more goals. In total, Brewster has had 23 shots this season, 21 from regular play and two from set pieces. Of the 23, 12 shots came from inside the box, more interestingly, 11 came from outside the box. The amount from outside the box suggest his willingness to score goals. Likely due to the pressure inherited from his previous seasons.

What makes this so damaging to Brewster’s output is that both of his goals have come from inside the box, with his Millwall goal coming from inside six yards. Whilst, his shot late on yesterday from distance cannoned off the bar.

The shot map below from FotMob shows how Brewster, whilst trying to score has been left with a shot accuracy of 61%.

Rhian Brewster’s Shot Map (Courtesy of FotMob)

Where he could improve – Dribbling

Whilst, his passing is suggesting Brewster is settling into his new deeper role, he could be better when dribbling. He currently has a dribble success percentage of 40% and has been dispossessed 14 times (placing him in the 46th percentile).

Despite this he has proven to be a handful for opponents. With him winning 19 fouls this season so far. Allowing the Blades to gain important set pieces and against Swansea away left the Blades facing ten men. The sending off of Harry Darling arguably turned the tide for the Blades to win the game.

Briefly, on the split side, Brewster has won possession back in the final third nine times (placing him high in the 71st percentile for forwards). Other decent defensive stats are his duels won percentage (43%) and recoveries (35) leaving him in the 81st percentile for the prior and in the 71st percentile for the latter.

Comparison to 2021-2022

As his best season for goals in the Championship (3) Plus, a time where he was solely a striker. How does this season compare to Brewster’s best season to date based on stats per 90?

Passing

The most notable improvement of this season is starkly contrasted in his 2021-2022 stats. All of Brewster’s stats were in the red (among the worst Championship forwards) for passing in 2021-2022. Where his successful passes this season per 90 is 17.3 in 2021-2022 was 13.6. Whilst, his accurate long balls percentage (25%) is almost three times less than this season’s 70.4%.

Additionally, this season, Brewster has created 1.13 chances per 90 compared to 0.34 per 90 in 2021-2022. Given his low goalscoring numbers, his new improved created chance stat makes Brewster a much more effective forward to have on the pitch.

Also, finally with the Blades desperate to score more goals, Rhian Brewster’s now 1.78 accurate long balls per 90 is almost nine times higher than his 2021-2022 stat (0.22 accurate long balls per 90). It appears the deeper role as an attacking midfielder has allowed Brewster to have more influence on Blades’ attacks.

Shooting

Interestingly, Brewster’s xG was 3.0 in 2021-2022 and he matched it with three goals. Just like season all three of his goals came within the box. Although of his 28 shots, a lot less came from outside of the box (9) compared to this season.

Although, playing as a striker did help Brewster be statistically better in front of goal this season he has a shots on target per 90 stat of 0.47. Compared to the 2021-2022 stat of 1.35.

Playing time

Not only in comparison with 2021-2022. This season has seen Brewster improve his fitness drastically. Brewster has only played more games in 2020-2021 compared to this season with 30 games played. Although, this season’s tally of 28 means he will likely surpass it.

Additionally, in comparison to his other season’s Brewster’s games played is around double that of others. Whether you agree or not that Brewster is improving his fitness this season is brilliant for a player so unfortunate with past injuries.

What would be a good season for Brewster?

There are several qualifiers here. What Brewster himself would deem a good season. Plus what the fans and coaching staff think makes a good season for him.

Personally, continuing to gather a few more goals and assists would be great to see from Brewster. If he can get let’s say five goals and five assists or any combination totaling 10 goal contributions. Then that would be a great first season from returning to regular playing.

But ultimately, it would be great to see Brewster continuing to contribute and keeping his injuries at bay. Hopefully, this allows Brewster to finish the season strongly.

Takeaways

Like many fans when Brewster signed I was excited to see him join back in October 2020. It is also not unfair to say the time since has been underwhelming. Although, much of that has been out of his control with injuries ravaging much of his time at Bramall Lane.

Whilst, he may continue to divide fan opinions. With his contract currently set to expire this summer. The hope is that Brewster can continue to develop in his new deeper role and enjoy his football. Even if it is coming off the bench to support Brereton-Diaz and the rest of the wide players.

If his new versatility behind the striker is the start of a new and improved Brewster. Hopefully, it works for him beyond this season whether as a Blade or where he may go next.