CAN FINIDI PASS THE PHYSICAL?
Finidi, who has signed a two-year deal at Portman Road, could be surprised by the difference in the Premiership after a spell in Spain. Despite having the same number of teams and playing the same number of games, there were over 5,000 more tackles in the English Premiership than in La Liga.
That increased close attention from the opposition should not be a problem, with the player's experience at both club and international level. Last season Finidi won 46 free kicks for Mallorca but could find things harder in England.
During 2000-01 in the Premiership, referees awarded over 3,000 fewer free-kicks despite the English top flight having a physical reputation. Some may say this is because Spanish referees are more whistle-happy and do not let the game flow like their English counterparts are inclined to do. Others may point out that there is arguably more play acting in La Liga with footballers more likely to go to ground after physical contact.
Referees are also more likely to caution players in Spain with almost 700 additional yellow cards being shown and 129 dismissals compared to 64 in England. Nothing helps a winger more than knowing he's up against a full-back who is already on a yellow card but that is statistically less likely to be the case in England, so Finidi may not enjoy so much freedom in the Premiership as he had previously done in Spain. It is worth noting though that this is a player who can complete 100m in less that 11 seconds so his pace will be a huge asset.
With a dribble success rate of just 54% Finidi will have to stand firm if he is to improve on that ratio, but it does not appear that he shirks his ball-winning duties either. Last season he attempted 31 tackles and won the ball on 23 occasions, showing that he can cope with the physical side of the game and he actually was penalised for 37 fouls last season.
Once in possession, the Nigerian completed 67% of his passes and found a team-mate with 26% of the 53 crosses he put in as well as setting up two goals. He may be looking forward to the typically tough battles of the Premiership but he also has something to offer on the entertainment side of things too.
Finidi came from the Ajax set-up that won the 1995 European Cup, in a side with players like Jari Litmanen, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, and on the other wing to Finidi, Mark Overmars. There is little doubting his quality and Burley has said that he sees his new signing as a potential leader on the pitch at Portman Road.
The Nigerian could be the added touch of class that Ipswich will need next season if they are to repeat their high finish in the Premiership and having cast off the shackles of Spain's pernickety referees, he can look forward to imposing himself again.
