Under the increased attacking license given to him by Patrice Gheisar, Zachary Fernandez has excelled this season as an up-and-down wing-back capable of creating chances for fun. Here is why the 21-year-old Canadian full-back should be on your radar.
ATTACKING PRINCIPLES
Zachary Fernandez has consistently been one of the best attack-minded full-backs in the CPL two seasons running. His quality in the final third is unrivalled, including putting up some of the best xA and crossing numbers in the division.
In fact, only Fraser Aird and Carl Haworth have posted up better expected assist numbers than Fernandez this season (0.24) from fullback. His crossing percentage of 44% also puts him among the best in his position, and only Olakunle Dada-Luke has made more ‘successful attacking actions’ than the HFX man this season according to Wyscout (3.65 to 3.55).
Fernandez is a clean crosser of the ball, and has all the technique to match his crossing technique to the movement of his teammates and the moment. He excels with a low-driven cross into the penalty area, but can also nicely whip in a back-post cross with either foot.
Patrice Gheisar‘s gotten the most out of his attacking ability this season by urging him to get forward as a wing-back within a 4-2-3-1 that becomes a back-three in-possession. The left-back will stay as part of their build, as Fernandez gallops high and wide making underlapping and overlapping runs from the right.
When given time to strut his stuff, the young Canadian can even be an incisive dribbler, nicely working the right moment for the cross.
But given his tendency to use his right-foot and deliver from his right, he can also sometimes be predictable. This would be one area that the 21-year-old could work on to grow his game, ensuring that he’s capable of injecting more variety with his left-foot.
As noted in our end of season analysis last campaign, Fernandez could also work on his in-possession numbers (such as forward and progressive passing) to truly revolutionize himself into one of the best full-backs in Canada. Few full-backs can better his offensive duelling, progressive running and dribbling in 1v1 situations. But many surpass his ability to play in a possession-based side where there might be more emphasis on his ability to keep the ball and pass it inside.
At the very least, his ability to play bounce passes in tight spaces can often threaten.
And those shortcomings also can’t be taken too harshly, since his final third actions stand out beyond just about all others in the division. Only Fraser Aird can beat his 1.2 shot-assists per 90, and he’s scored more than double the amount of goals per 90 (0.2) than the next highest (also Aird – 0.09).
Within that simplified attack-minded role where he can burst up the pitch and create chances for fun, Zach Fernandez has stood out once again this season – looking like one of the best in the division by some margin. Any club looking for a right-back to play high and wide, crossing the ball into the box and creating chances for fun, Zach Fernandez has to be the top pick.
DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES
Although the defensive side of the game becomes less important in his attack-minded role, Fernandez still clearly holds his own. Wes Timoteo’s been the man to hold down the more reserved position from the left, but Fernandez’s defensive numbers rank comfortably better (more than a 20% difference on defensive duels).
That said, he could still work on the timing of 1v1 challenges. Fernandez possesses great pace to quickly recover position down the right wing. But he’s often prone to dive into challenges.
He often leads with his body first before making the tackle, and sometimes goes in too quickly without a low enough body stance to properly contend the situation. This can allow silky attackers to knock the ball past him.
That said, his defensive duelling currently sits at nearly 70%, beaten by only Karl Ouimette and Bradley Kamdem, two defensively-minded full-backs. His spatial awareness as he gallops back into the right-back role or slides across from a narrow position is also top notch, making 6.35 possession-adjusted interceptions per 90. Among right-backs, this has been bettered only by Rezart Rama, who also holds more of a reserved role for Forge.
So while Fernandez could still improve upon his timing and has some limitations from a slightly smaller frame, he’s certainly no slouch in the defensive phase. If anything, the 21-year-old has almost been as equally impressive in defense for Patrice Gheisar’s team.
All and all, if looking for a well-rounded full-back that can comfortably play high and wide down the wing, Zachary Fernandez has to be on your shortlist. I’m sure he’s already on the shortlist of many clubs, and that will make it all the more difficult for HFX to keep hold of the 21-year-old next season.
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