Caleb Porter on Carles Gil's Leadership: "He’s a Great Extension of Me"
"He needs a little more help.”
Carles Gil has been the driving force behind the New England Revolution attack but 2024 hasn’t exactly been his or the club’s year.
New England is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and while the captain has three goals on the season, advanced analytics paint a different picture. Backheeled’s Arman Kafai was the first to point this out but Gil’s non-penalty xG + xAG per 90 is the lowest since 2020. In addition, his goals added sits at .34, and in the receiving category Gil stands at a -.45.
To explain these advanced stats, goals added essentially measure a player’s total on-ball contribution in attack and defense. The receiving stat hones in on a player receiving the ball and the value added from that play.
These stats back up the eye test which shows that Gil isn’t playing to his MVP caliber. Whether it be the occasional poor touch or being unable to create chances, New England’s captain seems to be a step behind his past self.
But there is also the emotional side of Gil’s game. The midfielder can constantly be seen gesturing at officials as well as displaying his anger when a pass is missed or an opportunity is wasted. When results are going against a club, these moments can make observers wonder if the Revolution have the right leader.
When asked by The Blazing Musket about the captain’s leadership ability, head coach Caleb Porter gave a glowing review of the midfielder and stated that some of what Gil does as a leader isn’t seen by the general public.
“Carles is a top player and a great leader,” Porter said. “He doesn’t always do it by yelling and screaming inside the lines. But I can tell you this, in the locker room he has a presence, he talks a lot, he says the right things. He’s a great extension of me. He knows where we’re at. He’s accountable for his performance. He understands what we need as well and the things that need to change. Again, I think he’s a great captain and a great player. He needs a little more help.”
While it might be annoying to hear that Gil needs more help, it is a valid claim. The fact that Gil has no assists in MLS play illustrates the lack of finishing surrounding him. Gil can put it on a platter for his teammates but he can’t be blamed if they are unable to convert.
So while it is fair to criticize New England’s captain, he does need some help. He needs Giacomo Vrioni to be more lethal up top. Wingers such as Tomas Chancalay and Nacho Gil need to also help out on the attack.
If the Revolution are able to get more from their captain and the players in front of him perform better, New England might start racking up wins and digging themselves out of a massive early-season hole.
He needs help for sure. Like someone up front who can move. Like a coach who knows how to get the best out of people.
I hope Gil goes back to his ways of sheer determination and ability