Read on Twitter
Nemanja Matic - Searching for a Replacement
With a contract expiring in 2021, the time is coming...
This thread will investigate potential replcaements for current Manchester United defensive midfielder, Nemanja Matic.
This generally applies to all teams needing a DM as well.
With a contract expiring in 2021, the time is coming...
This thread will investigate potential replcaements for current Manchester United defensive midfielder, Nemanja Matic.
This generally applies to all teams needing a DM as well.
Although known for his defensive capabilities, statistics actually show that Matic is also a phenomenal ball playing DM as well.
This is shown in his dribble sucess rate, his passes into the final third, and his successful dribbles per game.
This is shown in his dribble sucess rate, his passes into the final third, and his successful dribbles per game.
Although this isn't a complete necessity for a team like Manchester United, his ability on the ball don't go amiss.
This is also very impressive given his age in comparison to the other players around him, who are all around 5 years younger.
This is also very impressive given his age in comparison to the other players around him, who are all around 5 years younger.
It's important to note the current status of the United midfield, with Bruno Fernandes and Pogba being the likely starters for two of the gaps.
Any team must be careful not to create an unstable midfield in which a certain player has a tendency to push too far forward.
Any team must be careful not to create an unstable midfield in which a certain player has a tendency to push too far forward.
Considering the role that both Bruno Fernandes and Pogba have in creating with the attack, whoever is signed must be stable defensively.
With that being said, let's look more in depth at some of Matic's most important qualities.
With that being said, let's look more in depth at some of Matic's most important qualities.
Matic is also above average on interceptions, which is especially impressive with his age, because speed is the first thing to go.
This shows his immense ability to read the game, rather than being fast enough to swoop up a misplaced pass.
This shows his immense ability to read the game, rather than being fast enough to swoop up a misplaced pass.
The next quality of Matic, is his ball progression skills.
Using two stats: progressive runs and progressive passes, we are able to look at the impact Matic has on the attack from DM.
Using two stats: progressive runs and progressive passes, we are able to look at the impact Matic has on the attack from DM.
After comparing these 3 charts, we found 4 suitable replacements, at least statistically.
We're going to run through 4 different players and look at their qualities and how they compare to Matic.
Those players are:
Milinkovic-Savic
Zakaria
Laimer
Partey
We're going to run through 4 different players and look at their qualities and how they compare to Matic.
Those players are:
Milinkovic-Savic
Zakaria
Laimer
Partey
First up, is another Serbian, Milinkovic-Savic (25).
Although in Lazio's system SMS doesn't really play as a holding midfielder per se, his stats line up similarly.
His role causes him to take more risks, causing a lower accuracy, but the similarity is there.
Although in Lazio's system SMS doesn't really play as a holding midfielder per se, his stats line up similarly.
His role causes him to take more risks, causing a lower accuracy, but the similarity is there.
Next, Thomas Partey (26).
One of the more hyped players on this list, Partey has kept pace with Matic in most offensive stats, while outshining Matic in the defensive ones.
This would be a role shift though, as Partey doesn't traditionally play as a true 6.
One of the more hyped players on this list, Partey has kept pace with Matic in most offensive stats, while outshining Matic in the defensive ones.
This would be a role shift though, as Partey doesn't traditionally play as a true 6.
Konrad Laimer (22)
The youngest of the list, Laimer would be excellent from a long term perspective.
Despite not being outstanding at anything, Laimer's stats show an impressive ability to be well-rounded. While being both solid defensively, he also attacks well.
The youngest of the list, Laimer would be excellent from a long term perspective.
Despite not being outstanding at anything, Laimer's stats show an impressive ability to be well-rounded. While being both solid defensively, he also attacks well.
Lastly, our favorite from the list, Denis Zakaria.
The Swiss international is known for both his defensive ability, and his offensive ability.
This is shown in his radar chart below, in which he shines in MANY areas ranging from dribbling, defending, and passing.
The Swiss international is known for both his defensive ability, and his offensive ability.
This is shown in his radar chart below, in which he shines in MANY areas ranging from dribbling, defending, and passing.
He is also a very versatile player, having played both center-back and as both a 6 and an 8, depending on the formation.
This is further reinforced by his age, at 23 years old, Zakaria can still further improve. But even now, he should be able to slot straight into the midfield.
This is further reinforced by his age, at 23 years old, Zakaria can still further improve. But even now, he should be able to slot straight into the midfield.
**End of Thread**
If you enjoyed, a retweet and like are always appreciated as we continue to produce daily content.
Sources for all stats were as always:
@Wyscout
@fbref
@StatsBomb
If you enjoyed, a retweet and like are always appreciated as we continue to produce daily content.
Sources for all stats were as always:
@Wyscout
@fbref
@StatsBomb
