Player Spotlight: Tyler Morton

Paulo Fonseca relies on pragmatism and adaptability in buildup, utilizing two different tactical styles — both of which are made possible by 23-year-old English midfielder Tyler Morton. The Liverpool academy player made his move to France and instantly became a mainstay in the team.

Out of Possession

First and foremost, it's impossible to be a serviceable #6 in top European football without awareness — with and without the ball. He has great timing defensively, putting in tackles as part of a low block and tracking back in transitions. He's also great at intercepting and reading movement and passes. Along with an iron lung and nonstop work rate tracking back, he's good out of possession and in rest defense. Physically, he's equipped with long legs that aid timing his challenges and tracking back. Without the ball, he reminds me a little bit of Adam Wharton.

On the Ball

With the ball his intangibles make him perfect for arriving late in the box in the final third. But what stands out most with him is his range of passing. A complete pass sprayer, Xhaka-esque if you will, he is unbelievable at spreading the play wide and finding his wide men. Incredible vision in the defensive and midfield third, with the athleticism to have those late runs into the box to add goals and assists. He would do well to add more goals and assists this season, though, as I think he could add more.

He's also a decent ball carrier but is happier releasing forward; he could improve at this as well. I think confidence is what's lacking in this regard — his legs were tailor-made to stride forward. These traits all point to a midfielder who likes to play facing the opposition goal, not on the turn with his back to goal.

The Tactical Fit

So how does this fit in with Paulo Fonseca's tactical shape? It means he's exactly what Fonseca is looking for: adaptable and pragmatic. In the 4-3-3 Morton can be deployed as an advanced midfielder in a duo receiving the defensive-third breaking pass, or as the lone #6 in a single pivot — as his first reception of the ball will most likely be from a fullback or advanced midfielder, with Morton facing the attacking play, ready to pick his long pass and set Lyon off. Or, like in the picture below, the ball was advanced through their advanced midfield duo, recycled back to the center-backs, and with the press broken they can give it to Morton to face play and dictate the pace with a long ball or line-breakers through the middle.

Best Role: A Double Pivot

I believe that he is most effective in a double pivot. At the start of the season his midfield partner in the double pivot has been American Tanner Tessmann, who is better equipped to sweep up defensively and control possession with his back to goal and with simple passes. Morton is free to push forward more advanced and be a part of Fonseca's midfield-third triangles, where he can face forward and unlock the pass into the final third.

Notice how he's always facing the play, operating from the same channel and spraying passes wide in both double-pivot pictures. His "spray-passing" ability is key to this Lyon side, who keep their fullbacks high and wide all the time. It's a less complicated way to beat the press — which in big matches can be huge. It immediately puts the defense on the back foot and can even turn into a transition opportunity in attack.

But when they do play through the press he can advance with play and be effective in each third of the field. Different situations stemming from the double pivot, where he's in one of those advanced triangles playing a ball into the final third…

Back to England? Soon.

▶ Watch: Tyler Morton at Lyon