Bournemouth have been on an upward trajectory since Rayan arrived in the January transfer window.
The Cherries are unbeaten when the young Brazilian has started. It’s a record which has helped Bournemouth climb to ninth in the Premier League.
Despite being just 19 years old, Rayan is attempting to fill the shoes on Antoine Semenyo. And, although it’s early days, the tricky winger is already making a significant impact.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Rayan’s role at Bournemouth
Rayan has predominantly been utilised on the right, playing as a touchline winger to provide width for Andoni Iraola. One of the Brazilian’s best traits is his ability to go either way.
Rayan is capable of cutting inside onto his left foot or taking the ball to the byline before delivering into the box, making him unpredictable for opposition defenders.
Bournemouth are usually a threat on the counter-attack, and Rayan has helped replicate what Semenyo brought in terms of their transitions. The 19-year-old has plenty of pace, but also the strength to avoid being bullied when looking to take players on.
Bournemouth have scored seven goals from fast breaks this season in the Premier League, with only Brentford and Manchester City managing more. But that could increase as Rayan continues to adapt to English football.
Rayan might not have the production of a Semenyo at the moment. That’s perfectly understandable given his age. But he’s showing signs that he could be the ideal long-term replacement.
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The data behind Rayan
Since his arrival, Rayan has produced two goals and one assist in just five Premier League starts. Iraola has given Rayan a bit of freedom to try and get on the ball in advanced areas and make things happen, rather than giving him too much defensive responsibility.
Rayan has created 1.59 chances from open play per 90 minutes, ranking him 22nd in the Premier League. The freedom given by Iraola means Rayan can regularly get into one-vs-one situations, taking players on before attempting to create opportunities.
Rayan’s data and touch map shows his two-way ability. The Brazilian regularly comes into the right-half-space with the ball, looking to link up with his teammates in central areas. But he’s also incredibly effective at getting to the byline to cut it back.
Cutbacks are one of the most effective ways of creating chances. Rayan’s attempted 0.6 per 90 this season, ranking him sixth in the Premier League.
As previously mentioned, Rayan helps Iraola implement his counter-attacking system. He averages 0.6 shots from fast breaks per 90 minutes, the fifth-highest in the division.
Bournemouth’s style also relies on winning the ball back in advanced areas. The Cherries have won possession in the final third 123 times, the fourth-highest in the Premier League. This is an area that Iraola will be demanding more from Rayan. He’s won the ball back just 0.4 times per 90 this season.
Rayan’s confidence shines through when in possession, and he’s certainly not afraid to fire from distance. In fact, the 19-year-old attempts 1.39 shots from outside the box per 90 minutes, with only five players in the Premier League averaging more.
Considering he’s only hit the target once from outside the area, it might be something else to work on. But it’s difficult to criticise a player of his age for having the confidence to try things.
Bournemouth’s improved form with Rayan
Rayan is unpredictable in his playstyle. He’s not restricted to being a cut-inside winger or a touchline player. The Brazilian is also an unknown quantity that Iraola has thrown in at the deep end, and every full-back that comes up against him won’t know an awful lot about his weaknesses and strengths.
In the six games Rayan has featured in, Bournemouth have averaged 10.5 chances created, compared to 8.96 in the previous matches. The Cherries have also attempted three through-balls per match, which is over double what they were attempting in the first few months of the season.
Rayan’s pace offers Bournemouth a different kind of outlet, being a player who can run in behind or receive to feet. Semenyo was more heavily relied upon with Bournemouth in terms of trying to progress the ball into the final third.
Iraola’s side were constantly giving him the ball in less effective areas, hoping he could make things happen, whereas Rayan touches the ball less, but he’s there to offer the threat in behind the opposition defence.
Rayan is in no way comparable to Semenyo in terms of ability. But there’s little reason why he can’t reach the heights of the now-Man City forward in the future.