WHY CARDIFF CITY NEED TO START BUILDING AROUND RUBIN COLWILL
- ccfcinsider
- Mar 22, 2024
- 5 min read
One of the positives in recent months has been the performances of Rubin Colwill. After years of injury struggles, Colwill appears to have come through it and now in the first time in his career is playing regularly, and at a good level. Colwill signed a new four-year deal in the summer, and should be the player Cardiff plan and build around.
What does Colwill bring?
Colwill's creativity in unmatched at The Bluebirds. Colwill has been crucial when it comes from turning defence to attack. The 21 year-old averages 4.48 Progressive Passes per game, 3.98 Passes into the Final Third per game and 3.47 Progressive Carries per game. Colwill's fine foot work has caught the eye and the ability to take a man on, as he averages 2.71 take-ons per game. What Colwill has also added defensively this season, averaging 5.33 Ball Recoveries per game, 1.51 tackles per game and he also win 7.90 duels per game. Despite stats not suggesting it, Colwill has been one of Cardiff's best creative outlets this campaign.
One of Colwill's best attributes is finding space. Colwill finds pockets of space and often makes chances for himself and other around the edge of the box. His fast feet allows him to find space in behind, and brilliant footballing intellegence. What Colwill has yet to master is how to make the most of it, however that is bound to come with an improvement in quality of forward players around him.
Versatility:
One of Rubin Colwill's biggest assests is that he is capable of effecting a game from any of the forward areas. Colwill has played all three roles behind the striker and still has the same effect on the game.
Colwill effects the game centerally. Colwill makes his own space and his great footwork allows him to carve defences open and create opportunites. If Cardiff could recruit a forward with an understanding of a player like Colwill, they would see much more reward from the chances he creates.
Shown here, Colwill shrugs off two men and it opens up opportunities for The Bluebirds. Colwill sits fourth in terms of Live-Ball Passes that have led to Shooting Attempts (36).
Despite the narrative, Colwill is more than capable of playing on the flanks, and if anything he makes better chances when he finds himself out wide. Colwill's ability to beat a man often sees him in space to deliver the ball into the box, Colwill varies between lofted and driven crosses, some that should have definitely led to goals by now.
This cross in particular is a great example. Colwill finds a pocket of space, delivers a great ball that Callum O'Dowda really should have scored from. Colwill leads the way in terms of successful take-ons that have led to goals (2).
Ability from deep:
We've covered Colwill in forward areas, but the midfielder is also capable of effecting the game from deep. Colwill drops deeper and sprays the ball out wide which leads to crosses or counter-attacks.
This once again proves Colwill can effect the game from all areas of the pitch. Colwill becomes vital especially when Cardiff are under pressure, as he is capable of picking passes that others aren't capable of.
Colwill's ability to drive from deep is also very effective. Using his size to his advantage and just running at players scares them, and Colwill when he's direct is such a handful due to his size and ability.
Strength:
As I've just touched on it, Rubin Colwill's size it what makes him so effective. Now that Colwill has stopped growing he has started growing into his body, and is clearly becoming stronger, and is realising he can use it to his advantage.
Rubin Colwill is often being held up by opposition, yet has a great ability of shrugging off his man and getting away into the open space.
One of Colwill biggest strengths is his strength. He's definitely become a stronger player this season, despite always being quite a big player, previous to this season, Colwill has been fairly easy to disposses, however this season the way he retains the ball is really impressive.
As mentioned already, this allows Colwill to make space for himself to drive into. Once Colwill masters how to make the most of it, he will be unstoppable, better decision making will come with more years of experience.
Defensively/Work Rate:
Colwill's biggest criticsm in recent years has been his poor defensive abilities, but he's stepped it up a notch this season. Colwill has won the second most tackles in the final third this season (10), fourth in terms of dribblers tackled (23) and sixth in terms of tackles won in the midfield (23).
Colwill's pressing has become increasingly better. He can pin defenders back as proven here. Colwill is capable of a silly foul and a silly card, but keeping a calm head will come with more experience, but considering where he was this time last year defensively, he has come on leaps and bounds.
Intellegence/Off The Ball:
Rubin Colwill is brilliant at picking up spaces inbetween the lines and also on the edge of the box.
Especially against Swansea, Colwill found himself in loads of room in and around the box but lacked the composure to make anything of it, or the ball just wasn't given to him. Maybe goes under the radar slightly, but Colwill's movement off the ball is as effective as his ability on the ball.
Colwill picks up spaces as seen here, and uses his great ability to drive with the ball to get the team up the pitch. Colwill looks a step ahead of others and knows the next step in his head as soon as he gets the ball.
The Other Side:
We've discussed Rubin Colwill's positives, but he isn't the complete package, but at 21 years-old I wouldn't expect him to be.
Colwill's biggest problem that's porven by his stats is his end product. Colwill is capable of doing all the hard work, it's just the final finish that lets him down. Often his strikes don't contain any real power or placement, typically it's collected by the 'keeper.
Erol Bulut has said he feels Colwill needs to improve on his decision making. At times, Colwill looks indecisive and perhaps not sure what he should do in the final third, whether to pass or shoot, a goal could give him the confidence to play with freedom in the final third.
As mentioned already, Colwill is capable of a silly moment in and out of possession, these things should begin to be ironed out as Colwill ecomes a more experienced player.
Summary:
I feel Colwill needs to be trusted to deliver what we know he's capable of. Colwill is a naturally gifted footballer that needs some clinical forwards to supply to. Cardiff have players in the midfield that are capable of supplying for Colwill, which should relieve the pressure on the 21 year-old.
Colwill has recently comitted to a deal meaning time is on his side, and Cardiff have time to plan around him. Colwill is the best product to come out of the academy for a long time, it's time he takes the next step.
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