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We were curious as to who were Europe's most well-rounded CMs and ended up doing a data-centric deep dive.
I looked at 4 phases; Defending, Build-Up, Creativity and Final Third impact, as well as their ability to transition from one phase to another.
I looked at 4 phases; Defending, Build-Up, Creativity and Final Third impact, as well as their ability to transition from one phase to another.
Cant stress this enough:
1) This doesn't mean that Player x is better than Player y.
2) These stats won't tell the whole story as one needs to consider the role they play for their team and how that would limit a player in a certain phase.
1) This doesn't mean that Player x is better than Player y.
2) These stats won't tell the whole story as one needs to consider the role they play for their team and how that would limit a player in a certain phase.
1) Defending:
Casemiro
Joaquin Fernandez
Marco Verratti
- Casemiro dominant in Def Actions.
- Verratti excels in PAdj Tkls.
- Joaquin Fernandez benefits from having played CB at times.
Casemiro Joaquin Fernandez Marco Verratti- Casemiro dominant in Def Actions.
- Verratti excels in PAdj Tkls.
- Joaquin Fernandez benefits from having played CB at times.
2) Build-Up Play:
Thiago
Verratti
Kovacic
- Difference between Thiago and Verratti negligible and skewed by Offensive Duels Succ.
- Marco Verratti Succ Fwd Pss
- Kovacic excels in his Offensive Duels.
Thiago Verratti Kovacic- Difference between Thiago and Verratti negligible and skewed by Offensive Duels Succ.
- Marco Verratti Succ Fwd Pss
- Kovacic excels in his Offensive Duels.
Comparing both of the previous metrics would give us an idea each players style as a Deep Lying Midfielder.
- Most of the usual names towards the top.
- Idrissa Gueye one of the more surprising names.
- Arthur very high in Build-Up but extremely low when looking at defending.
- Most of the usual names towards the top.
- Idrissa Gueye one of the more surprising names.
- Arthur very high in Build-Up but extremely low when looking at defending.
3) Creativity & Chance Creation:
KDB
Luis Alberto
Pellegrini
- KDB & Luis Alberto are monsters.
- Silva & Cazorla showing they still got it.
KDB Luis Alberto Pellegrini- KDB & Luis Alberto are monsters.
- Silva & Cazorla showing they still got it.
Next up, we look at how each midfielder would fare in a slightly more advanced role and how they would transition between Build-Up and Chance Creation.
- KDB takes a small hit as he's not as involved in BU.
- Luis Alberto combines both the best.
- KDB takes a small hit as he's not as involved in BU.
- Luis Alberto combines both the best.
4) Final Third Impact:
KDB
Silva
Alberto
- KDB & Alberto again.
- Silva comes in second, partially helped by his reduced minutes & selective involvement.
- As expected, most names in Top 10 play in slightly more advanced roles.
KDB Silva Alberto- KDB & Alberto again.
- Silva comes in second, partially helped by his reduced minutes & selective involvement.
- As expected, most names in Top 10 play in slightly more advanced roles.
Next, we looked at how each midfielder would fare in a more advanced midfield role. Notice how correlated both phases are.
As an extra, we were curious to see which player had the highest composite score of all 4 phases:
1) Locatelli
2) Alberto
3) Busquets
4) Milinkovic-Savic
5) Kroos
(This of course doesn't mean much due to the differing roles, it was more out of interest)
1) Locatelli
2) Alberto
3) Busquets
4) Milinkovic-Savic
5) Kroos
(This of course doesn't mean much due to the differing roles, it was more out of interest)
Thoughts & Suggestions on how to improve this model would be greatly appreciated!
