RB Leipzig has been on an upward trajectory since the outset. While Timo Werner has been a talismanic figure, his monstrous strike partner continues to fly under the radar. I am talking about the Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Poulsen has been an important presence alongside Timo Werner, becoming a reason for his success.
In an age where the lone striker system is the norm, Yussuf Poulsen has reincarnated the role of the second striker. The Dane has produced several performances that are reminiscent of partnerships of yesteryear. Like all outstanding partnerships, Werner and Poulsen have their respective roles in the team and perform them to the best of their ability.
Across their two and a half Bundesliga seasons, the discrepancy between the two scoring records are staggering to the naked eye but after examination, you can understand the difference.
Timo Werner has scored 42 goals across 76 games.
How many has Poulsen scored?
Well, the 6’3” striker has contributed 15 goals in 72 games yet remains an important figure in Leipzig’s attack. The Hulk to Timo Werner’s Radamel Falcao (I’m sure there’s a better striking duo but the modern day partnerships are a rare breed and the Brazilian-Portuguese duo), Poulsen’s all-round game has propelled Werner to scoring as many goals as he has. If goals are not the reason for his inclusion then what is? In this feature, we will review Yussuf Poulsen’s other attributes that make him an imperative member of Ralf Rangnick’s team.
Complete Forward
Die Rotten Bullen’s primary plan of action involves the centre-backs launching long balls towards the Poulsen whose hold up play allows for Timo Werner or the attacking central midfielder, usually Kevin Kampl or Marcel Sabitzer to attack. Yussuf Poulsen is more than just a target-man. The old-fashioned target-man was limited in function; their only contribution would come through their hold up play and heading. The modern-day centre-forward needs to have an all-round skill set to stay relevant, especially given the modern managers preference to play with a single striker.
Let’s take a look at Chelsea F.C, they utilise Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata as complete-forwards. Both strikers have the ability to link up with their midfield, running in behind and holding up play for players like Eden Hazard, Willian, and Mateo Kovacic to make darting runs behind opposition lines. RB Leipzig follows a similar gameplan but instead of playing through the middle, the defenders the primary source of an attack. Whether it’s long balls from the centre-backs or crosses from the full-backs, Leipzig tries to keep the opposition guessing. Lucas Klostermann, Marcel Halstenberg, Nordi Mukiele, and Marcelo Saracchi are one of the first changes made off the bench and are vital to Leipzig’s style of play. Even Kevin Kampl and Marcel Sabitzer play the Mezzala role when Rangnick needs play to be stretched, moving out wide and supplying crosses for the strikers.
This is Yussuf Poulsen’s heat map of the 2018/2019 season. We can see he plays a much deeper to receive the ball and his activity in the box is to get into scoring positions from a cross.
Work, Work, Work
Arguably, Poulsen’s most impressive trait is his work-ethic. The Danish forward works incredibly hard for RB Leipzig giving the likes of Timo Werner and Kevin Kampl every opportunity to score. Whether he drops deep to collect the ball, makes a quick run behind the opposition defensive line or runs the channels hunting down the opposition ball carrier, he puts in a shift in every game.
The new
