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1 month ago
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Barcelona’s signing of Dani Olmo has brought a wave of optimism to the club, and rightly so. His arrival is not just another addition to the squad; it’s a significant move that offers Hansi Flick a multitude of tactical options.
This is because Olmo’s versatility on the pitch is one of his most outstanding qualities, and it is something that Barcelona can fully exploit to their advantage.
It must be noted that Olmo’s preferred and most natural position is as an attacking midfielder. It is in this position that he has played the majority of his career, featuring in 133 matches between his stints at Dinamo Zagreb, RB Leipzig, and the Spanish national team.
When positioned as an attacking midfielder, he is given the freedom to roam around the final third, finding spaces where he can make the most impact.
His ability to arrive late in the box and be decisive is evident in his statistics—34 goals and 31 assists have come from this role alone. These numbers highlight his effectiveness as a playmaker and goal threat, making him a key asset in the heart of the attack.
Dani Olmo’s stats across wings
Dani Olmo is an important signing for Barcelona. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)
However, what truly makes Olmo invaluable to Flick is his ability to seamlessly transition into other positions on the pitch. The manager will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to deploy him in various roles depending on the team’s needs.
One of the most obvious alternatives for Olmo is the left-wing position, an area that Barcelona have been looking to strengthen.
He has started 43 games on the left wing, and his ability to cut inside onto his stronger foot makes him a constant threat to opposition defences.
His statistics from this position are impressive, with 14 goals and 15 assists to his name. This demonstrates that Olmo can be just as dangerous out wide as he is in the middle.
In addition to his prowess on the left, Olmo can also operate effectively on the right wing. Although he has slightly fewer appearances on the right, having started 42 matches in this position, his impact has been noteworthy.
With 6 goals and 13 assists from the right wing, Olmo has shown that he can influence the game from either side of the pitch as well.
There is more than what meets the eye
Barcelona can use Dani Olmo across five different positions. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond the wings, Olmo has also featured in more central roles, such as a central midfielder or an inside midfielder.
In Flick’s tactical setup, this would place him in a double pivot, acting as the more offensive player of the two. While this is not his primary position, Olmo has still managed to make an impact when deployed there.
In 13 matches as a central or inside midfielder, he has scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists. This shows that even in a deeper role, Olmo can contribute significantly to the team’s attacking play.
Lastly, Olmo can also be used as an option in the forward line, although this is a role he has occupied less frequently.
He has played as a number 9 in five matches, albeit without scoring or assisting in this position. While it is not his most natural role, the fact that Olmo can be utilised as a forward adds another layer of depth to Barcelona’s squad.
