The Curious Case of Emiliano Buendia’s Bench Role
Norwich City’s struggles in the Premier League this season have been well-documented, but manager Daniel Farke‘s recent comments about star player Emiliano Buendia have raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. Despite being the Canaries’ most creative force, the Argentine winger found himself on the bench for crucial matches against Newcastle and Liverpool – a decision Farke justified with some surprising statistics.
“His points average in the starting line-up? No other winger has worse,” claimed Farke, while simultaneously declaring himself Buendia’s biggest fan. This contradictory stance has left many scratching their heads, especially when Crickex data reveals Buendia’s unparalleled importance to Norwich’s attack.
Breaking Down Farke’s Controversial Metrics
While Farke focuses on points-per-game with Buendia starting (0.65) versus not starting (0.71), this narrow analysis ignores crucial context:
- 71% win rate with Buendia last Championship season vs 18% without him
- 30% of Norwich’s total chances created come from Buendia alone
- 7 assists this season – more than any two Norwich teammates combined
“Points-per-game is perhaps the most superficial way to judge a creative player,” says Crickex football analyst Mark Thompson. “It’s like blaming the architect when the builder drops the bricks. Buendia creates gold – others just haven’t been finishing it.”
The Undeniable Creative Force
Even in a struggling team, Buendia’s numbers stand tall among Premier League elites:
| Metric | Buendia | Premier League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chances Created | 65 | 3rd (Behind De Bruyne & TAA) |
| Through Balls | 22 | 1st |
| Dribbles | 84 | 3rd |
Buendia’s heatmap reveals his omnipresence in Norwich’s attacking play
The 24-year-old has been particularly devastating against top opposition, memorably dismantling Manchester City with two assists in September. His performance against Wolves earlier this season saw him become the only player in two Premier League campaigns to complete 9 dribbles AND create 9 chances in a single game – though Norwich still lost 2-1.
Where Farke Has a Point
While Buendia’s creative output is unquestionable, Farke rightly identifies areas for improvement:
- 0 goals in 26 appearances this season
- Just 29 touches in the opposition box (Zaha has 94)
- 1.81 xG suggests poor shot selection/location
“Emi needs to add goals to his game,” admits former Norwich striker Chris Sutton in an exclusive to Crickex. “But dropping your most creative player when you’re the league’s lowest scorers? That’s like turning off the tap when you’re thirsty.”
The Road Ahead for Norwich
With crucial matches coming up, Farke faces a dilemma: stick with his points-per-game theory or unleash his “genius” (as he once called Buendia). The numbers suggest one clear path forward – as does the frustration of Norwich fans who chanted for Buendia’s introduction during their 3-0 defeat at Molineux.
As Crickex tactical review shows, Norwich average 2.3 key passes per game with Buendia versus 0.8 without him. In a relegation battle where chances are precious, can Farke really afford to bench his chance-creation machine?
The verdict: While Buendia isn’t perfect, Norwich’s survival hopes rest on getting their best players on the pitch. Farke’s tough love approach risks cutting off Norwich’s nose to spite their face. The stats don’t lie – when Buendia plays, Norwich at least look like scoring. Without him? They look doomed.
