Attacking midfielders - outside the elite

In the third of my ‘outside the elite’ analysis threads, I use data to find the best attacking 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

Position disclaimer

Before we start, it is worth noting that I’ve only included players that Wyscout define as CMs or players who regularly function across an attacking midfield three. There are many more names out there, but I've tried to keep this search focussed.

Which attacking midfielders frequently provide for teammates?

This graph looks at how often attacking midfielders create chances for their teammates and frequently provide an added threat going forward.

Which attacking midfielders are good in 1v1 situations?

The ability to win 1v1 duels is important in this position but other graphs need to be used to show how well players use this ability. Dribbling stats should be used as a starting point to indicate a player’s skill.

Which attacking midfielders frequently find teammates in the penalty area?

This graph shows how often players find their teammates in goal-scoring positions. Passes to the penalty area is a key way of finding attacking midfielders who have a considerable attacking influence.

Which attacking midfielders provide incisive passing?

Here, we find players that are good on the ball and enable their team to move forward. This should be used alongside the previous graphs when finding well-rounded attacking midfielders.

Which attacking midfielders provide an added goal threat?

While not an absolute must for an attacking midfielder, adding goal threat would certainly add value to a player in that position. A number of players outperform their xG impressively.

Standout players

The five graphs above have produced varied findings amongst players who rank highly, but a number of attacking midfielders appear repeatedly. Below, I’ve picked out three standout performers.

1. Martin Ødegaard (21)

Ødegaard is a perfect reason why not every player is destined to make it at such a young age. He’s been terrific for Real Sociedad this season and stands out across the board here.

Will he get a chance at Real Madrid?

2. Luis Alberto (27)

The former Liverpool man has been a revelation in Serie A and ranks highly in all five graphs. His frequent involvement in creating chances in key positions makes him a vital part of Lazio’s side.

3. Lorenzo Pellegrini (23)

The 23-year-old has been in great form for Roma this season and looks set for an impressive career at the top level. 5 goals and 10 assists across all competitions is a very good return.

Ones to watch

It’s a position under concentrated analysis due to the impact an attacking midfielder can have on a game, so I’ve picked three ‘ones to watch’ that I think can develop into top players over the next 12 months.

1. Emiliano Buendia (23)

The Norwich midfielder is discussed a lot, but he ranks very well in key areas here. His continued involvement in providing for teammates may earn him a big move this summer.

Do goals need to be added though?

2. Riccardo Orsolini (23)

The Bologna attacking midfielder often plays on the right of a 4-2-3-1 and provides considerable attacking threat going forward. After being sold by Juventus last summer, the 23-year-old is now proving his worth.

3. Aleksandr Golovin (23)

The Monaco playmaker can play in a range of positions but the graphs above show his qualities as an attacking midfielder. 5 goals and 6 assists this season make for a decent return in a struggling Monaco side.

I hope this thread has been fairly informative for those interested in the data side of football. Feel free to DM me with any requests for future threads or any questions.

Any RTs and feedback appreciated. #FootballIndex