Last week, Crystal Palace struggled in their 2-2 Premier League draw against Southampton at Selhurst Park.
Patrick Vieira watched from the dugout as his side failed to play their way out from the back cohesively, with far too many sideways passes on show.
One second-half period saw the ball switch from Jack Butland, to James Tomkins, to Marc Guéhi, back to Butland, back to Tomkins, then back to Guéhi – it was totally aimless.
In our view, that was down to Vieira being unable to call upon Joachim Andersen – the Dane is pivotal to ensuring this style of play clicks.
Joachim Andersen makes Crystal Palace tick
Southampton pressed high on Wednesday evening, and the south Londoners couldn’t work their way up the pitch.
When that happens, Vieira needs someone who can launch an accurate long-range pass over the press, something Andersen has adopted as his trademark skill.
Sadly, the £14.9m man was only fit enough for the bench against the Saints, but he did managed to come on in the 82nd minute after Tomkins suffered an injury of his own.
Somehow, Andersen managed to complete five accurate long-range passes in that time.
As you can see, Tomkins made seven, although it’s the type of long-range pass which is key here.
Tomkins often plays a slow, floated ball which can easily be headed away by opponents.
In Andersen’s case, he tends to cut across the ball, ensuring it reaches his target quickly.
Just take a look at this long-range switch out to Odsonne Edouard during the 2-0 win over Wolves – it sums up our point to perfection.
Andersen is being pressed high, but is capable of completely eliminating that press by going long, but with care rather than an aimless punt.
It gets Crystal Palace on the attack, and those who were pressing Andersen had been wiped out of that passage of play – the significance of his passing cannot be understated.
Whatever happens this season, Vieira must ensure Andersen stays fit, as he’s so important to ensuring this style of play bears fruit for the Eagles.
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