Having recently celebrated an MLS Cup win, New York City FC’s James Sands has been linked with a move to Scotland.
According to Tom Bogert, an American-based journalist who writes for the Guardian amongst others, the “timing is right” for Sands to leave the club and the report of Rangers’ interest is legitimate.
Would be shocked if James Sands is at NYCFC for much longer. Plenty of interest, the Rangers report is real. NYCFC and Rangers have spoken about Sands, per sources.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) December 30, 2021
Other clubs interested too and have been for a while. Timing is right. https://t.co/BsCoVlxTpK
David Lee, the club’s Sporting Director, recently told The Athletic that the player could leave during this off-season.
When asked if Sands could be loaned or sold abroad, Lee said: “Potentially. I think we’re open. We’re working with James. I think, like all players, every player wants to test themselves at the highest level that he can. And if an opportunity arises that we think is right, that James thinks is right, then we’ll consider it."
A versatile player that came through the club’s academy and a US international at just 21, Sands was in the words of Lee “massive” in the club’s cup win.
Throughout 2021, he played as part of a back three and four at centre-back, as well as propping up the midfield for large sways of the season. Conveniently, he also provided cover at right-back.
Such versatility could be regarded as a negative. Doesn't it show a player incapable of making a position his own?
Not always, Sands’ versatility appears more ‘specific’. As detailed by American outlet half-spaces, his comfort in defence or midfield allows for a wide variation of build-up structures and defensive approaches which give a manager the ability to adjust during games.
This trait, his defensive positioning and his ability to break up play appear to be his finest. Sands isn’t a progressive passer, rarely carrying the ball into the final third. His value is seemingly found in circulation, positioning and ball recovery.
Only 40 of the shown 317 progressive passes last season were longer than 40 metres. Notice the distinct lack of progressive carries.
Sands averaged 11.16 recoveries per 90 and 4.79 counterpressing recoveries per 90 last season. A relatively high output compared to the rest of the division.
The location of these actions shows two things. Firstly, only 18 came in the final third. Sands is not a high disrupter, but rather a breaker of play who operates nominally in his own half. Secondly, a large proportion of these recoveries were caused by his positioning.
When playing in midfield, he can supplement the defensive line if a move bypasses the New York midfield.
As two of his teammates fail to track Portland’s Dairon Asprilla with the defence stretched, Sands’ positioning allows him to cover dangerous space and protect his team from a high-quality chance.
When playing in the backline with the game ahead of him, the 21-year-old can read the danger and move to combat it.
In the New York derby, see him slide with play to cover the right side of the pitch. Defenders who are less mobile may in this scenario prefer to stay central. Sands can operate in wider areas of the pitch.
His composure on the ball is clear in this example to spin away from his marker and start an attack.
Under further scrutiny, the 101 duels won in his own defensive third this past season shows 48 in Zone 14.
In possession, he can slot into the back three if playing in midfield – facilitating the player to his right or left stepping forward and playing forward from the half-spaces.
Here, his positioning allows the left centre-back Callens to step out and pass into the final third.
Similarly in this example, his positioning gives Chanot the necessary time unmarked to step into midfield.
His comfort in this phase of the game is likely an attraction if the links to Rangers hold weight.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has introduced, at times, a ‘3-1’ build-up shape that sees Borna Barisic tuck inside and along with Connor Goldson on the right, get the ball into the final third via either wing or Glen Kamara.
Sands would naturally fit into the middle of this shape. Either splitting centre-backs or starting as one.
Sands’ pass sonar and ball progression maps outline further a focus on retention and facilitation (his pass accuracy stood at 90.4 per cent last season). With a propensity to play in the middle third of the pitch and a focus on lateral passes.
Despite nearly 1000 minutes in midfield and 210 minutes at right-back, Sands attempted three shots in the whole of 2021 – a season total of 0.13 xG. Add in 0.79 progressive runs per game, an average xA of 0.02 and 5.29 passes to the final third and you have a fuller picture of the role fulfilled under ex-Celtic boss Ronny Deila.
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If Sands was to move to Ibrox, his ball progression would need to improve. Van Bronckhorst has only increased the responsibility for defenders to progress the ball. Goldson's 'quarterback contributions' in recent weeks highlights this.
However, his specific flexibility and function within the New York set-up are valuable enough to earn him an international spot. His positioning, timing and interceptions help start moves and end opposition attacks. It could well be that there is a greater forward-thinking potential within Sands, that could come to light in a league where his team would have a greater territorial advantage.
Much of the defending from midfield positions in the MLS would translate to the height of Rangers’ backline at times in the Scottish Premiership. A reliable circulator of the ball, he could be valuable in the first line of possession if he can develop a greater progressive threat. His positioning could suit the backline's responsibility to retain pressure on deep blocks. Framed as a centre-back, acquiring Sands’ has a greater appeal. His versatility too would be useful, with cover needed at right-back with Nathan Patterson likely to move.
Time will determine the legitimacy of Rangers' interest. A versatile international on a loan could give Sands a shop window and the Ibrox side necessary depth for the remainder of the season.
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