Getafe are building up for their European campaign in style, beginning with a raft of signings including Jack Harper. The new Getafe man will have to quickly adapt to a new approach in terms of tactics from the more attacking style which he grew accustomed to at Malaga, but the Scottish forward will do so with plenty of qualities and attributes which he will bring to the Estadio Coliseum de Alfonso Perez.
This tactical analysis will provide analysis in this scout report of the former Malaga man by considering his skills and talents, but also where he could have more room to improve after making the move for a reported €1.5 million.
Key to any transition
With an average of 3.23 dribbles per game and 0.78 progressive runs per match, its clear that Harper has a substantial impact on bringing the ball forwards and turning defence into attack. When in possession, he looks to take the ball from defence to attack with the ball at his feet at speed, attacking defenders directly with his aggressive style.
He is particularly devastating on the counter or when starting a move while out of possession. Rather than dropping deep, he instead makes runs to find gaps in between opposition defenders, frequently targeting the gap between the central defender and his full-back. This will be particularly important at Getafe, as will be dictated by the difference in his new teams tactical approach.
At Getafe, however, he will likely be used in a different way. Getafes tendency to play long balls in a more direct style will see him spend more time using the kind of technique shown in the example above. Here, he shows good movement in attack to anticipate a potential break down in the opposition attack to position himself well to receive any clearance or long pass. Once he does so, he uses his pace well to break down the flank and eventually delivers a cross into the box. Such speed is not found in abundance in the Getafe squad and so such clinical ability to break through will be a real asset.
Flexibility across the front line
Harper played 80% of his minutes in 2018/19 as a centre-forward, though being far from a traditional central striker. Rather than sticking to the last man or staying central, he again looks to drift wide in order to find more space. Even when breaking into the box, he tends to do so breaking into the near post and making a run at the far post, rather than centrally. Compared to the likes of Jaime Mata, Jorge Molina and Angel Rodriguez, he offers a different and more mobile alternative. Given Bordalas preference, this may not be the role in which he is planning to use Harper.
An alternative could
