The Curious Case Of Andre Schurrle – Is He A Striker Or A Winger?

Andre Schurrle’s attributes as a player are fairly obvious. The German has decent speed, above average dribbling ability, and superb finishing. Before Guardiola’s false 9 experiments, Andre would just have been classified under either a Left Wing or Support Striker position.

However it seems like managers have tried to envision him into the striker role with no success. Even Mourinho plapyed him as a striker in games against Manchester united and Paris St. Germain with the player’s performances in both games, proving the decision to be a mistake.

Why do managers think Schurrle would make a good striker? I think the answer is how surprisingly good his finishing tends to be, as we have seen the German score goals most strikers would make a meal of. Also, coupled with his competent finishes, the former Bayern Leverkusen man makes very decent runs.

It is noteworthy to point out that exquisite finishing and fantastic runs are not the only things that make up a good striker. In Schurrle’s case the one thing that seems to make him an ineffectual centre forward, is the fact that he only makes a certain type of run.

Schurrle is only adept at making runs in behind a defence and thus is the type of striker who needs to be assisted into a one on one situation with the goal keeper in order for him to showcase his very accomplished finishing.

Strikers who have to be put in a position were scoring is guaranteed are not of much value in modern day football. Strikers like Filipo Inzaghi are strikers who won’t thrive in today’s football, as they tend to make space for nobody but themselves, as opposed to strikers like Luis Suarez or Diego Costa. Schurrle’s runs are usually the selfish type because if the run doesn’t end up with the ball at his feet then, he probably won’t make that run.

The German will never make a good striker but is already a world class support striker/left attacking midfielder. Andre will only play well in forward positions, when he is able to benefit from the space that others have created for him with their runs, a two striker system.

A player of Schurrle’s ilk will only benefit a manager that admits that the German is just a utility player capable of playing anywhere in the attacking third and as striker, if absolutely needed.

Going into any game with the mentality that the Chelsea man is your striker is probably not going to end well. Chelsea’s games against Manchester United and Paris St. Germain are sufficient proof that you can turn a very effective player towards ineffectiveness by playing him, totally out of position.

With the acquisition of 3 strikers in Remy, Costa and Drogba, the special one seems to have learnt from last season’s experiment.

At the end of the day, the German sharp shooter will give you maximum value for your money as long as you know 2 things;

The first being that Schurrle is an amazing super sub and the second thing being that he should never be played as a centre forward or top striker.