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Defensive midfielders - outside the elite 
In the second of my ‘outside the elite’ analysis threads, I use data to find the best defensive midfielders outside of the PL ‘big 6’ and other UCL 19/20 clubs from the top 5 EU leagues.
5 graphs, ones to watch and player radars
In the second of my ‘outside the elite’ analysis threads, I use data to find the best defensive midfielders outside of the PL ‘big 6’ and other UCL 19/20 clubs from the top 5 EU leagues.
5 graphs, ones to watch and player radars
Which midfielders frequently provide defensive cover?
As a starting point, defensive responsibilities are a key for defensive midfielders and we see the most active/successful players here. Graph two aims to use possession-adjusted statistics to level the playing field.
As a starting point, defensive responsibilities are a key for defensive midfielders and we see the most active/successful players here. Graph two aims to use possession-adjusted statistics to level the playing field.
Which midfielders perform well in key areas?
These metrics provide a better illustration of how often players prevent the opposition from progressing. As a result, we begin to see players that regularly engage in defensive actions to good success.
These metrics provide a better illustration of how often players prevent the opposition from progressing. As a result, we begin to see players that regularly engage in defensive actions to good success.
Who is the best at regaining possession?
Recovering possession and putting your team on the front foot is a key part of a DM's role. In this graph, two metrics are used to identify those who regain possession most often and those who do so in the opposition’s half.
Recovering possession and putting your team on the front foot is a key part of a DM's role. In this graph, two metrics are used to identify those who regain possession most often and those who do so in the opposition’s half.
Which players send their team forwards?
To develop on the graph above, the use of final third passing metrics aim to highlight how successful defensive midfielders are in finding teammates in the final third.
To develop on the graph above, the use of final third passing metrics aim to highlight how successful defensive midfielders are in finding teammates in the final third.
Who boasts cutting-edge passing qualities?
This graph provides a better picture of defensive midfielders who provide a cutting-edge in possession and regularly progress the ball close to the opposition’s goal. Higher ranking players here are mostly deep-lying midfielders.
This graph provides a better picture of defensive midfielders who provide a cutting-edge in possession and regularly progress the ball close to the opposition’s goal. Higher ranking players here are mostly deep-lying midfielders.
Standout performers 
The five graphs above shows some consistently higher performers across a number of key elements for a defensive midfielder. Below, I’ve selected three players that caught my eye from the datasets.
The five graphs above shows some consistently higher performers across a number of key elements for a defensive midfielder. Below, I’ve selected three players that caught my eye from the datasets.
1. Wilfred Ndidi (23)
Ndidi ranks highly in more or less every metric for a defensive midfielder and is probably the best DM outside of Europe’s elite clubs. Leicester produced a miracle in replacing Kante and Ndidi’s performances this season more than proved that.
Ndidi ranks highly in more or less every metric for a defensive midfielder and is probably the best DM outside of Europe’s elite clubs. Leicester produced a miracle in replacing Kante and Ndidi’s performances this season more than proved that.
2. Manuel Locatelli (22)
The Italian midfielder is touted as one of the country’s most exciting prospects, and rightly so. He performs well across the board in areas you would want for a defensive midfielder and could earn a big move soon.
The Italian midfielder is touted as one of the country’s most exciting prospects, and rightly so. He performs well across the board in areas you would want for a defensive midfielder and could earn a big move soon.
3. Tom Trybull (27)
Trybull’s defensive work this season has gone relatively unnoticed at Norwich this season. But he tops many of the charts above including defensive work rate and progressing the ball forward.
Could he perform in a better function side?
Trybull’s defensive work this season has gone relatively unnoticed at Norwich this season. But he tops many of the charts above including defensive work rate and progressing the ball forward.
Could he perform in a better function side?
Ones to watch
As ever, it’s also worth picking out some players that could be due a move to one of the elite clubs excluding from this search. Here, I’ve identified three players that I think could develop into world class talents.
As ever, it’s also worth picking out some players that could be due a move to one of the elite clubs excluding from this search. Here, I’ve identified three players that I think could develop into world class talents.
1. Denis Zakaria (23)
The Swiss midfielder doesn’t top any of the charts, but he’s a consistent performer across the board. His accuracy in possession and ability to win the ball back makes him a highly desirable player. #FootballIndex
The Swiss midfielder doesn’t top any of the charts, but he’s a consistent performer across the board. His accuracy in possession and ability to win the ball back makes him a highly desirable player. #FootballIndex
2. Eduardo Camavinga (17)
The 17-year-old has been heavily linked with a big money move this summer, and rightly so. He has shown numerous qualities that make him stand out on the pitch and, at just 17 years old, he could become a world class player. #FootballIndex
The 17-year-old has been heavily linked with a big money move this summer, and rightly so. He has shown numerous qualities that make him stand out on the pitch and, at just 17 years old, he could become a world class player. #FootballIndex
3. Ismael Bennacer (22)
The midfielder ranks well in key areas for a defensive midfielder and could fulfill his potential at the top level. Instability at AC Milan means that he may be reliant on a move to reach the quality he has shown on a consistent basis. #FootballIndex
The midfielder ranks well in key areas for a defensive midfielder and could fulfill his potential at the top level. Instability at AC Milan means that he may be reliant on a move to reach the quality he has shown on a consistent basis. #FootballIndex
As ever, any RTs and feedback on this thread would be helpful for future work. My DMs are open for requests/questions, hope you've enjoyed this thread. #FootballIndex
