Receiving Like A Pro: How Wingers Like Saka, Yamal, And Salah Use Reception To Create Space And Opportunity

A variety of technical attributes come to mind when you consider the strengths of a winger. 

Many think of the skilful moves they produce at pace in order to beat the opposing full-back. 

People often highlight the need for the winger to produce crosses that lead to clear-cut chances for their teammates. 

Others will also point out the wingers ability to cut inside and curl the ball into the far corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. 

These are all parts of the winger’s game that they need to have if they want to be successful when attacking. 

However, before they even have the ball at their feet, what does a wide player need to do if they wish to execute these key elements of their game? 

In this article, we will discover three essential ways that wide forwards need to receive the ball, highlighting the critical technical and tactical aspects that make these receptions as good as they possibly can be. 

A training drill will also be provided to allow coaches to work with their wide players at mastering the art of receiving the ball as a winger. 

Studying Europes big five leagues during the 2023/24 closely, there’s a clear positional advantage to being a wide forward. 

When you look at those players who have received the highest numbers of progressive receptions, eight out of the top 10 play predominantly as a wide forward. 

These include some of Europe’s elite wide players, such as Bakayo Saka, Lamie Yamal, and Mohamed Salah. 

Not only do these players score highly in progressive receptions, yet they also have some of the highest percentile ranks for statistics that usually indicate whether a winger is successful or not.

North London rivals Bakayo Saka and Son Heung-min have a percentile rank of 92 for shot-creating actions compared with wingers in Europe’s top-five leagues. 

Man City’s new signing Savio and Lille’s Edon Zhegrova have a percentile rank above 92 for successful take-ons. 

It makes sense that wingers receive the more progressive passes compared with other positions due to the space that is often found in wide areas. 

Yet how do these players keep receiving progressive passes and subsequently create chances from having the ball? 

Receiving The Ball To Feet 

So many legendary wingers of the game are known for their ability to dribble by players. 

People think of Ryan Giggs winner against Arsenal, in which he skipped by several players before firing home a goal that played a vital role in Man Uniteds achieving a historic treble. 

Many remember Gareth Bale’s explosive runs down the flanks for Tottenham and Real Madrid, which led to many of his most iconic goals. 

Yet how does a winger consistently receive the ball so that they can dribble by their opponents time and time again? 

The first step occurs before the ball is even played to the winger. 

To receive the ball at their feet, a player often must make a movement as if they’re going in behind the opposition before they quickly dart back and receive the ball at their feet. 

The next important component in their positioning is in relation to the opposition’s full-back. 

The winger must ensure he receives the ball at his feet in a diagonal position from the opposition’s full-back. 

Receiving the ball horizontally in line with the opposition’s full-back cuts off the ability to cut inside, making it easier for the defenders to show you down the line.

Receiving the ball diagonally gives an opportunity to cut inside or to run down the line.

Here, Bakayo Saka quickly gets into a position where he is diagonal from his direct opponent. 

After receiving the ball, he is able to run directly at his opponent before cutting inside and scoring a goal.  

The third key element is receiving the ball on your back foot.