In fact, set-piece goals have been in decline in the Premier League since Opta started collecting the data in 2007. Like the work of Nevin and Nolan at West Ham, that of a specialised set-piece coach focuses as much on defending as it does attacking. "At the Euros with Denmark, for example, we scored twice from set-pieces but we also didn't concede any set-piece goals. "I've had offers and talked to clubs looking to bring in a set-piece coach where I could feel that they weren't really ready. Buttgereit attributes declining numbers of set-piece goals partly to improved goalkeeping but more significantly to a dearth of top-quality takers.

Source: Sky sports July 23, 2021 09:00 UTC