It must be noted that the Peruvian-Danish footballer still has the opportunity to play matches with this system. In his five seasons as a professional, both in the second and first division, his teams HB Koge and Silkeborg chose to play with a line of four defenders. However, Sonne has played in four different positions: right back, left back and as an inside midfielder on both wings. The latter makes it clear that he knows the role of the wing, both when scoring and when attacking. This data is not minor.
Polyfunctionality has been a constant in Sonne's career. At least per season he has experimented in two positions on the field, being 2020-2021, when he played his last year with HB Koge, alternating in up to three. Having already proven his worth as a right back, this season he has played more than 95% of his games in that sector, being the undisputed starter.
Season | Club | Division | Positions |
---|---|---|---|
2019-2020 | HB Koge | Second | Right back, right inside, |
2020-2021 | HB Koge | Second | Right back, left back, right inside |
2021-2022 | Silkeborg | Super League | Right back, left back, |
2022-2023 | Silkeborg | Super League | Right back, left back |
2023-2024 | Silkeborg | Super League | Right back, right inside |
Oliver Sonne at right back
There is no doubt that the best position where Oliver Sonne performs the most is as a right winger. To date he has played 76 matches during his time as a professional. That is, 81% of the games in which he was on the field. We analyze his current season with Silkborg to find out his best strengths.
His records do not indicate that he establishes himself as a reliable right back. He played all the games he was available in the Super League as a starter, averaging 88 minutes on the court and participating in 5 clean sheets. Defensively, he is a wall with 2.8 tackles and 4.6 recoveries per game. He wins the majority of his aerial duels (59%) and more than half of his totals (53%). Offensively, he contributes with assists and chances. He averages 0.5 shots per game and hits 24% of his crosses. He creates danger with 0.5 key passes per game. He needs to improve his definition in front of goal, having missed two great chances. Without a doubt, this is the position in which he performs the most.
Oliver Sonne as left back
His ability to use both profiles has allowed him to play in 30 games throughout his career as a full-back. More than half of these matches were played at HB Køge, during his time in Danish promotion football. At Silkeborg they hired him for that position, but he was only used six times during his first season at that club. For the next season they tried him as a right back and since then he has become a fundamental piece in that area of the field, making it very difficult for him to move from that sector.
Oliver Sonne's 2020-2021 season as a left back was inconsistent. Although he showed flashes of quality, he showed weaknesses that limited his performance. His lack of goals and precision in the final third (21% accuracy in crosses) limited him in attack. While he averaged a good number of key passes (0.7), he only managed one assist. Defensively, his effectiveness in ground duels (48% won) and defensive aerial game is something he was able to improve. However, Sonne also showed positive aspects. He maintained good passing accuracy overall (82%) and in both halves of the field. Furthermore, his defensive performance was acceptable.
Oliver Sonne as inside midfielder
During the current season, Silkeborg once used the line of three defenders at the back. Accustomed to playing with four defenders, Oliver Sonne moved up a few meters and occupied the position of inside midfielder on the right. This happened on matchday 11 of the Danish Super League, in the match against Lyngby, which ended 5-0 in favor of the 'Colorado' team. This meeting revealed a side of Sonne that could help him understand Fossati's idea of the game.
Oliver Sonne had a discreet performance playing as a right interior. His passing accuracy (86%), number of crosses (3) and key passes (2) were positive, indicating that he was involved in creating chances. However, he did not score goals, provide assists, or take shots on goal. Furthermore, he missed a big chance, which could have been a crucial moment in the game. Sonne played the full 90 minutes, completing most of his passes and winning some duels on the ground. However, he lost possession 12 times, which is relatively high. He only made 2 dribble attempts (unsuccessful) and only 1 tackle.
Can Oliver Sonne perform as a winger?
According to the positions that Sonne has occupied in his career for Denmark, we found four pieces of evidence that lead us to think that he could be useful in Jorge Fossati's 3-5-2,
Versatility
- Right side: His main position, where he has played 81% of his games. He stands out for his defensive solidity, good individual technique and ability to reach the back of the field.
- Left side: He played 30 games in this position, showing flashes of quality but with some defensive deficiencies.
- Inside steering wheel: He played one game in this position, showing good passing accuracy and participation in play creation.
Experience in a similar system
- He played as a right back in a back four with license to go up on the attack, similar to the wing-back role in a 3-5-2. This experience gives him a solid foundation to understand the responsibilities and movements of the winger.
Characteristics
- Good individual technique: Control the ball with precision, make precise passes and create scoring chances.
- Game rhythm: He has a good pace of play and can cover the wing effectively.
- Ability to reach the back of the field: He reaches the baseline frequently, which creates danger for the opponent.
- Defensive solidity: Win aerial and ground duels, and win the ball back frequently.
- Good offensive contribution: He averages 0.5 shots per game, 0.5 key passes and hits 24% of his crosses.
Provision
- He has expressed his desire to play for the Peruvian national team and adapt to the needs of the team. This provision is important for his success in selection.
Unknowns to consider
Adaptation to a new system: There's no guarantee he'll adapt quickly to a 3-5-2 system. Even more so when he has not yet made his debut for Peru.
Competition for the position: The Peruvian team has several options in the wing position, with Luis Advíncula and Andy Polo standing out as two of the best exponents currently.
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