I have been watching Tyler Adams play soccer since he was on the developmental RBNY II squad in 2015. He has elevated his game to become a player worth $25m on the transfer market who will play in the Premier League next season. I notice a lot of skepticism surrounding this move and I just can’t see anything but good things on the horizon for Leeds and Tyler Adams.
I see the negativity where people malign Tyler Adams’ progressive passing ability, or his diminutive physical stature in a physical league, or that he’s not even close to the level of Kalvin Phillips - the player Tyler is supposedly replacing. I don’t see that… because when you dig into the stats of Tyler Adams, you actually see that he’s a reliable carrier of the ball into the final third, that he wins a majority of his ground and aerial duels, and he’s much closer to being worthy of the Premier League than not.
Let’s try and learn today about what Tyler Adams is and isn’t. I recommend you try to put any of your personal biases aside for a moment and consider what the objective facts tell you about this incredible talent.
Myth #1 - Tyler Adams gives the ball away easily
This is probably the most common misconception of Tyler Adams - that he turns the ball over and can’t pass. When we take a look at his performances against other midfielders across the top 5 leagues we see a different pattern form.
Tyler Adams is one of the best connectors in the game. He is constantly swinging back and forth between his defense and offense to connect the game. His short passing game is direct and accurate.
When I say Tyler Adams is an “engine” I don’t only mean that he is an energizer bunny that keeps running the entire match (which is true), but I mean he is the engine of the team while on the pitch. He is the one that makes everyone go because he makes himself available for outlets, isn’t afraid to progress the ball himself or find the best avenue to keep his team clicking.
If you didn’t think Tyler Adams has what it takes in possession just remember he did this to Bastian Schweinsteiger at 18 years old…
Myth #2 - Tyler Adams is a destroyer and that’s it
Tyler Adams usually gets picked as a ball-winning #6 who’s only role is to win the ball back for his squad and get it to a player that is better than him. When I hear that type of slander against my man Tyler it hurts with how wrong it is. Yes - Tyler Adams will quickly become known as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, but that’s not all he is. In fact, Tyler Adams isn’t necessarily a strong tackler as he uses his IQ and positioning to intercept more than anything.
His pressures per 90 will be music to any Leeds fans ears who expect a player to fill the Kalvin Phillips role.
As you can see above… Adams isn’t necessarily a tackling machine, he just is in the right place at all the right times to block passes and opponent actions.
What’s interesting is that nobody really pays attention to Tyler Adams ability to progress the ball into the final third. This is usually where he gets the most feedback on his game. But again - the stats tell us something a bit different.
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Myth #3 - Tyler Adams won’t be able to deal with Premier League physicality
Tyler Adams is smaller than your usual defensive midfielder, but that didn’t stop a similarly-proportioned player named Ngolo Kante from becoming the best in that position. Tyler Adams is 5’10 155lbs, there is no denying he will need to find a way to use his acceleration and more agile body type in a way that is advantageous.
You’d probably be surprised to learn he wins the majority of his headers against midfielders that usually have a few inches on him
What always surprises me… and it seems like it surprises opponents as well is how quickly he is able to close down space on the ball. Take a look at the clips below and see how little time his opponents have on the ball when Tyler decides to pounce. He is the ultimate bulldog just annoying his opponents with his tenacity.
Conclusion
Tyler Adams won’t be a like-for-like replacement of Kalvin Phillips but he is his own player. The player that Tyler Adams is right now, and will continue to grow into is one that can add a lot of value to Leeds United this season. The things people don’t seem to see or grasp about his game are actually already there, and if he can implement his best attributes into the best league in the world then the USMNT will have a complete midfielder by the time the World Cup rolls around.