Jan-Niklas Beste: Benfica’s New German Wideman
If you were to reduce Jan-Niklas Beste to a particular position on the left hand side of the football pitch, that would be underselling him. Left-wing, left midfielder, left-wing back – the German can do it all.
Off of a great season for Bundesliga newcomers Heidenheim alongside fellow stars Tim Kleindienst and loanee Eren Dinkçi, Beste has moved to Portuguese team Benfica – who will have championship aspirations after being the Primeira Liga runner-up last season. But what makes Beste so special, and what inspired Benfica manager Roger Schimdt to acquire his services?
Heidenheim had never played in the German top-flight prior to August 2023.
Today, they’re set to play European football next season after finishing eighth in their maiden Bundesliga campaign.@The_Own_Goal takes a deep look at the rise of Heidenheim: https://t.co/GJ9ZaYp47b pic.twitter.com/4wqWOUPMUZ
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) July 3, 2024
His 2023-24 season was presumably a main motivator. In a year that saw him contribute 20 G+A in 32 games, with 12 of those contributions assists, this would lead him into a starting spot in kicker’s Bundesliga Team of the Season. Heidenheim would also finish 8th in the table, securing a Conference League position – the club’s first foray into continental football.
Beste was primarily deployed as a left-winger in his debut season in the German top-flight, and was a pivotal cog in Frank Schmidt’s 4-2-3-1 machine. Despite Heidenheim not having much of the ball, ranking last out of 18 Bundesliga sides in possession at 43%, and also dead last in shots taken at 393, Beste was crucial at negating these negatives in two aspects – efficiency and set pieces.
He ranks in the 92th percentile for goals per shot when compared to attackers in the other top five leagues. But Beste’s main contributions arose from dead-ball situations – free-kicks and corners. He averaged 0.35 shots from a free kick per game, which put him in the top 10% of players in Europe for this type of shot selection.
As for corners, often cited as Beste’s biggest asset, he shines statistically. Ranked in the 99th and 97th percentile for in- and outswinging kicks. His effectiveness at corners is easier proven using his genuinely immense crossing stats. He makes the most crosses per 90 of any player in the continent, at an astounding 9.65 per game – and he’s good at them as well, with 32% of these crosses finding his intended target.
Benfica are champions of Portugal for the first time in four years, and with the additions of Ángel di María and Orkun Kökçü, they could be on track to repeat their league title and make another deep run in Europe.
Today, we’re taking a look at Benfica’s individual standouts:
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) July 22, 2023
Although a left winger in the starting lineup, do not be fooled – Beste is willing to drop into defensive positions and is not positioned high in the press; he will follow his man even if it means dropping from the attacking line. Having such a player is crucial, as Heidenheim are not a possession-based side and will spend a lot of time in matches defending in their own half.
Beste’s defensive ability, as well as the rest of the midfield’s willingness to drop back, aid massively on preventing opponents capitalising on sustained pressure. When Beste puts on a Benfica shirt over the course of this season, it will most likely be as a left-back – it is a position he is more experienced in and will be vital from wide areas to both Schmidt and Benfica.
Expect to see Jan-Niklas Beste’s name pop up in the German national team soon – if he continues to play the way he has over the past year, he will have completely earned it.
By: Jude Short / @Jayesse66
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Sebastian Widmann / Getty Images