The Athletic has analysed the kickoff routines of the top six Premier League teams in the first three weeks of the 2024-25 season. According to the analysis, Manchester City’s tactic involved playing short passes and retaining control through off-ball movement, while Arsenal passed to the goalie and then out to the flanks. Liverpool used high lines with a narrower approach, while Aston Villa employed a forward at kickoff with an emphasis on control.
Tottenham Hotspur opted for a wider approach with their kick-off, using a forward but also placing players out wide on the flanks. Lastly, Chelsea blended the approaches of Spurs and Manchester City by having a player kick off with the left-winger stationed out wide and the right-winger closer to the kicker. It is clear that each team has their unique approach to kick-off routines, reflecting different tactics and strategies deployed by their coaches.
Manchester City, as expected from a Pep Guardiola team, retained control through short passes and off-ball movement, initiating play with a touchline approach. Arsenal developed a pattern of kicking the ball back to the goalkeeper, David Raya, and proceeding to surge towards the left or the right flank. Liverpool continued to follow head coach, Arne Slot’s approach of high line formations at kick-off. Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, started matches off with Ollie Watkins as a forward and used a midfield player to receive the ball from kick-off.
Tottenham Hotspur contrasted the above teams by giving width the utmost importance in their kick-off, while Chelsea’s strategy under new coach Enzo Maresca was a mix of Spurs’ and City’s approaches. Clearly, the approaches were strategically unique bearing the coach’s distinct mark. How the team begins play not only sets the pace for the match, but also offers an insight into the tactical inclinations and philosophies of the team and their coach.
Overall, the play from kickoff seems to have evolved over time, moving away from the simple long ball up the field. It has become a more intricate and deliberate part of the game plan, with it offering an opportunity right from the beginning to implement tactical nuances. Despite being a seemingly straightforward aspect of the game, the kickoff has become a moment where coaches and players showcase their tactical acumen, and provide a glimpse of what to expect for the rest of the match.
