Ashley Westwood, a seasoned midfielder from the Premier League, has just signed with Charlotte FC. However, the term “midfielder” doesn’t actually reveal anything about a player. Midfielders can play a variety of roles and have a wide range of skills.
Some are cunning, offensive playmakers who impress spectators with their talent. Some are coordinators who manage the midfield with their passing. Others have non-stop motors they use to buzz around the field and take part in the action. Then there are the destroyers, who love nothing more than to make a crunching tackle and look to perform the grubby defensive work.
In addition to typical in-person scouting, video scouting, and analytics, Westwood was evaluated in part. Lisandro Isei, the head of Charlotte FC’s expanded analytics department, is tasked with identifying players who suit the team’s desired profiles.
Where does Ashley Westwood fit into the wide range of midfielder profiles, then?
Table of Contents
Player Evaluation
The metronome of his team, establishing the tempo for his side, is how Westwood performs at his finest. He frequently serves as the driving force behind his team, not just for his playmaking prowess but also for his tenacity.
Director of Scouting Thomas Schaling said of Ashley: “Ashley is a player who will help us establish the tone and tempo within games, both with and without the ball.” His intelligence and expertise enable him to understand the game and assist teammates in figuring out what is required to take control of it.
Everything pours through him when he has the ball; he makes a conscious effort to get a hold of it and help his side advance. He is the kind of midfielder who keeps the group moving forward.
He accomplishes this by selecting passes to launch assaults or advance the ball ahead with his exceptional vision and long passing range. Westwood’s primary source of income is forward passes. His natural tendency is to scan the field for a pass option as soon as he wins or receives the ball.
Schaling continues, “He has the ability to pass the ball effectively both during his set pieces and over the course of play. He is a player who seeks for a forward pass or a cross at the ideal time in order to advance and create danger.
He enjoys playing the ball into the stride of his teammates when they make behind-the-back runs. Westwood is especially fond of first-time passes from deep locations into the defence. One of his most devastating weapons is the “Westwood Pass,” if you will, because it is impossible to defend against.
Highlight: Ashley Westwood
Westwood’s set piece delivery also demonstrates his passing style. He served as the team’s main corner- and free-kick taker while at Burnley. Westwood’s precise passing helped Burnley finish sixth in the Premier League for goal-creating actions from dead-ball passes in 2021–2022.
“Westwood has established himself at the Premier League level over a number of seasons and has been crucial for Burnley FC, competing against some of the finest players in the world, “The evaluation of Westwood by the analytics department of Charlotte FC. “Compared to his midfield teammates, he has regularly produced more goals by earning remarkable assists and projected assist totals each year.
Along with his football skills, he also possesses vital soft skills that will benefit the club.
Experience
The resume of Westwood speaks for itself.
He just completed 10 seasons in the English Premier League, where he averaged 28.6 out of a possible 38 appearances and 2,374 minutes each season. During the 2021–22 season, he made 26 starts before breaking his ankle in April, but he has since fully recovered.
It is impossible to overstate how long he has played at the greatest level. Westwood will establish expectations for the team, particularly in the middle, much like Christian Fuchs did before he recently announced his retirement.
Managing the highs and lows of the season, holding players accountable, and acting as a coach on the field who can communicate information to head coach Christian Lattanzio and assist in making tactical changes as needed.
Despite suffering an injury, Westwood continued to help Burnley in their battle for survival in the 2021–2022 Premier League season. He actively participated with the coaching staff in the background, contributing a unique viewpoint and insight.
Westwood has joined our group in the “Batcave,” where he is watching the games and the commentary, according to Mike Jackson, Burnley’s interim manager at the time, in an interview with Eleanor Crooks of Yahoo Sports. He is a skilled player with a wealth of knowledge. He is pursuing his coaching badges in an effort to break into the field.
Fuchs was a seasoned player and captain for Charlotte FC, but Westwood is a player just as capable of filling those roles. He has a talent set and attitude that will have an impact on the team both on and off the field, enhancing the complete group.
“We believe Ashley can provide a different aspect to our squad with his willingness to get after the ball, his all-around skill set, and versatility,” said Schaling. We anticipate his seasoned presence on the field and will benefit from his leadership in the locker room.
