Evaluating Katlego Otladisa: Orlando Pirates’ New Signing

Orlando Pirates recently unveiled a bunch of new signings ahead of the soon-to-begin 2023/24 DSTV Premiership season. One of the players joining them is former Mamelodi Sundowns player Katlego Otladisa who reported signing for the Bucs on a long-term deal. In this segment, just like last week (https://www.central.bet.co.za/soccer/psl/evaluating-pule-mmodi-kaizer-chiefs-new-signing-2023-07-10/) we focus on what kind of player Pirates have brought in from Marumo Gallants and how he can help his new team fight on multiple fronts this season. 

The Move

It is not surprising that Pirates have snapped up quite a gem in Otladisa. The midfielder is playing great football again after a few years of agony and frustration. This past season saw Otladisa play a key role in Gallant’s fantastic CAF Confederations run despite ending the season with his team relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. The former Sundowns player will be looking to make his mark with his new club using his speed and agility, his eyes for space behind the defensive line, and also his ability to take the ball forward in 1 v 1 battles.

In the world of football, it is often the case that clubs can find really good players in a struggling team. Their numbers may be good and stand out amongst the crowd, therefore waging a guess that they may perform even better with more quality players around them. There is very much a case for this to occur with Otladisa if he stays fit and settles in well into coach Jose Riviero’s plans.

For one, his attributes as a player with speed on and off the ball, dribbling, 1 v 1 battles, progressive runs, shots, and creativity make him stand out on the eye test. In addition, he enters the peak of his career, turning 27 in September making him a player in his prime. Our evaluation of him will focus on his creativity, threat, goals, and assists, concluding our scouting and data visualisations.

Ability & Creavity

Otladisa played predominantly on the left wing for Marumo Gallants last season. Throughout the season, he was fourth of all Gallant’s players for minutes played (2,185) in the league and contributed four assists during that time. His four assists compare favourably against his 4.8 expected assists (xA) rate whilst he underperformed his xG by 2.32, having scored no goals in the league.

Examining his pass flow chart below – a map of all passes and their general direction from within a grouped area on the field, we notice a very densely populated left flank. Within this area, the arrows all dictate the play to go backward when Otladisa plays the ball. To give further context to his game, the former Gallants player often looks for a give-and-go, or taking on his man and driving the ball forward. In another sense, this map also reflects his time at Marumo Gallants and not necessarily what Bucs fans can expect to see of him in a Pirates jersey.

Examining his attributes as a wide player can easily be illustrated using a radar chart which brings together several key specific metrics for the position. Otladisa ranks highly in Dribbles and Progressive runs. The latter metric is the statistics we will focus on as it highlights a very key element of his game from last season. A progressive run is a continuous ball control by one player attempting to draw the team significantly closer to the opponent’s goal. Ask any coach/analyst or fan of the game and it will be one of the characteristics they would associate very closely with the player.

Conclusion

Otladisa is an exciting addition to a Pirates squad that found form again in the second half of last season. After a few disappointing years, especially in the yellow of Sundowns with injuries plenty, there will be expectations on him and his quality but also on the entire squad (management included) that they start the season better and faster than last season and challenge Sundowns to the league title.

With the season still a few weeks away there may be more signings coming in as well as players leaving the squad. We will as always keep a keen eye on any big movements throughout the transfer period.