Amorim's Garnacho Dilemma: The Damning Stats Behind His Lack of Playing Time

Alejandro Garnacho has had a breakthrough season at Manchester United, but despite his promising talent and skill, there is a glaring issue with his conversion rate. According to statistics from the current Premier League season, Garnacho has the lowest conversion rate of any player with 10 or more big chances. Out of 14 big chances, he has only scored twice, which gives him a conversion rate of just 14.3%.

Understanding Big Chances and Conversion Rate

Before diving into Garnacho’s statistics, it’s important to understand what "big chances" and "conversion rate" mean in football analysis.

What are Big Chances?

• Big Chances Defined: A “big chance” is a goal-scoring opportunity where the player is expected to score based on the quality of the opportunity. This typically refers to clear-cut chances, such as a one-on-one with the goalkeeper or a shot from inside the box that should result in a goal under normal circumstances.
• Why Big Chances Matter: Players with a high number of big chances typically have the ability to get into dangerous areas and create goal-scoring opportunities, but their efficiency in converting those chances is critical in determining their effectiveness in front of goal.

Conversion Rate Explained

• Conversion Rate: This refers to the percentage of big chances that a player successfully converts into goals. A higher conversion rate is typically seen as a sign of clinical finishing and composure under pressure.
• Importance for Strikers and Wingers: For players like Garnacho, who are expected to contribute to their team’s attacking play, a good conversion rate is crucial. Wingers and attackers need to make the most of the opportunities they get, as this directly impacts their team’s success.

Alejandro Garnacho's Conversion Rate: The Struggles in Front of Goal

Despite his undeniable talent and exciting style of play, Garnacho’s conversion rate has been a major talking point this season. He has missed a significant number of big chances and has the lowest conversion rate among players with 10 or more big chances in the Premier League.

Garnacho’s Statistics

• Big Chances: 14 big chances created.
• Goals Scored: 2 goals.
• Conversion Rate: 14.3%.

This means that for every 10 big chances Garnacho gets, he only manages to score once, which is well below the average for Premier League players.

Comparing Garnacho's Conversion Rate

When we compare Garnacho's conversion rate to other Premier League players with similar numbers of big chances, the difference is stark. Let’s take a look at how his conversion rate stacks up against some notable names:

Top Premier League Players' Conversion Rates

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City): 50% conversion rate (scoring 10 goals from 20 big chances).
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): 40% conversion rate (scoring 8 goals from 20 big chances).
• Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur): 35% conversion rate (scoring 7 goals from 20 big chances).
• Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United): 14.3% conversion rate (scoring 2 goals from 14 big chances).

As we can see, Garnacho lags significantly behind other top Premier League attackers in terms of converting big chances into goals.

Why Garnacho Struggles in Front of Goal

There are several factors that could explain why Garnacho’s conversion rate is so low despite his undeniable promise as a forward.

1. Lack of Composure Under Pressure

• Young Age: Garnacho is still a young player, and his inexperience in high-pressure situations could be contributing to his inability to finish chances with clinical precision.
• Nerves in Front of Goal: When faced with one-on-one opportunities or clear-cut chances, Garnacho may sometimes rush his decisions or fail to maintain the composure required to finish the opportunity effectively.

2. Inconsistent Playing Time

• Rotation and Opportunities: While Garnacho has had a decent amount of playing time under Erik ten Hag, he is still part of a rotation system. His inconsistency in starting matches could affect his rhythm and sharpness in front of goal.
• Match Sharpness: Regular playing time is often key for attacking players to improve their finishing, and the lack of consistency in his minutes could hinder Garnacho's development.

3. Need for Better Decision-Making

• Decision-Making in the Final Third: Garnacho's decision-making in the final third has shown signs of improvement, but he still needs to refine his choices when it comes to finishing. Sometimes, he opts for the wrong type of shot or takes too long to execute the chance.
• Understanding When to Pass: At times, Garnacho is more focused on taking a shot rather than passing to a teammate in a better position. Improving his decision-making in these situations could help increase his goals tally.

The Future for Alejandro Garnacho

Despite his current struggles in front of goal, Garnacho remains one of the brightest young talents at Manchester United. His explosive pace, dribbling ability, and skill in wide areas make him a constant threat to opposition defenses.

How Garnacho Can Improve His Conversion Rate

• Mental and Tactical Development: Working with experienced coaches and learning from players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes could help Garnacho develop better composure and decision-making in key moments.
• Confidence and Consistency: Garnacho needs to continue getting opportunities and trust his own ability to improve. A run of games in the starting lineup may help him build the confidence and consistency needed to convert more chances.

Long-Term Potential

• Learning from Experience: As Garnacho matures and gains more experience in the Premier League, it’s likely that his conversion rate will improve. His talent is undeniable, and with continued coaching and development, Garnacho could become a more efficient goal scorer for Manchester United in the future.

A Work in Progress for Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho has shown immense potential at Manchester United, but his current conversion rate of 14.3% leaves room for improvement. With time, composure, and better decision-making, Garnacho can certainly become more effective in front of goal. For now, his low conversion rate serves as a learning opportunity for the young winger as he continues to develop his game in the highly competitive Premier League.