Unlocking Inaki Williams’ strength in the Black Stars team

Inaki Williams has decided to represent the Black Stars of Ghana for the rest of his international footballing career.

The mobile striker who can also play on the wings is joining the national team off the back of yet another outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao, Spain.

Formed at Athletic Bilbao's academy, Inaki has made over 300 first-team appearances for the club, including a La Liga record of over 200 consecutive games.

Inaki is in the top 10 for expected goals per 90 (0.49) of all Laliga players, his combined expected goals (XG) and assists (XA) per 90(0.64) show he is been the most effective player this season at generating goal opportunities for himself or his teammates.

He scored most (8) goals for Athletic Club in the Laliga and was third with 5 assists last season. He also leads with most shots (94) and shots on target(34).

Inaki Williams statistics

So, what does he do well?

Inaki Strengths

The 28-year-old is the second-fastest LaLiga Santander player only behind Real’s Vinicius Jnr, according to Comparefut.

In Europe’s top five leagues, he is only behind Alphonso Davies.

Naturally right-footed, Inaki Williams can play all positions across the goal upfront. He is excellent at drifting inside from the right, finding room in the half-space and between the opposition’s defensive lines.



Inaki Williams heat map

He also drops deeper to support the midfield as Athletic Bilbao mostly plays another striker in Raul Garcia. The tactical awareness means that Inaki excels at finding room from which to launch cross-field passes to players ahead of him. He then bursts forward to support the attack often taking a direct return pass before shooting.



Athletic Bilbao lineup

Inaki is capable of disrupting defences and sizing into dangerous areas and always looking to do so as evidenced by his highest shots-volume (94) in the team.

Inaki Williams has great awareness with vertical movements into the opponent’s penalty area and is often taking good positions and very strong to receive and hold the ball from his teammates, and then combine it with his sharp ability in finishing.

According to Themastermindsite, Inaki Williams is among the top ten superstars in Europe’s top five leagues for ‘Progressive Passes Received’ per 90. He beats stars like Vinicius Junior, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Leroy Sane and Angel DI Maria with 11.3 PPR per 90. So he is a player who is always available in a good position, creating a passing option in the opposition’s half.

With his top speed and his style of cutting inside the pitch, Inaki has the ability in countering to exploit the free spaces behind the full-backs and go into the penalty area.

Iñaki Williams’ movements on the flanks with ability to receive long passes from his teammates make him a great option in the transition phase.

So where does he fit?

Black Stars System

Otto Addo’s new Black stars play mostly in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Two wingers on either side of Mohammed Kudus behind a Center Foward (Afena Gyan), Thomas Partey and Iddrisu Baba play as the deep-lying playmakers. Baba shuttles and screens while Partey gets forward to support and prompt attacks.

Inaki’s natural home is on the right side of the penalty box. Afena Gyan is not as creative as Inaki despite the fact that he is also mobile and quick. Inaki is a creative forward who starts wide and drifts inside.

Now, this might necessitate two forwards with captain Andre Ayew who is the most prolific in the team partnering Inaki in a 3 back system as speculated by most analysts as Otto Addo’s plan for the future.

With the addition of Brighton and Hove Albion right wing-back Tariq Lamptey and Southampton centre-back Mohammed Salisu who are familiar with the system, 3 men at the back could even tighten the Black stars defensively.



Black Stars likely lineup

Inaki is also an option on the right-wing should Otto Addo use the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 he primarily uses. It all gives the trainer options. This addition works both ways and in Inaki Williams, Black stars have secured a brilliant player who will elevate their squad greatly, especially for the world cup in Qatar.