Read on Twitter
Roberto Firmino 
> Anthony Martial 
An honest analysis:
> Anthony Martial An honest analysis:
-Now, its important to note that neither of these players are out and out strikers, and they don’t play exactly the same role.
-Firmino plays in a unique role, a mixture between a false 9 and an attack midfielder, whilst Martial plays out wide on occasion, and upfront on others.
-Firmino plays in a unique role, a mixture between a false 9 and an attack midfielder, whilst Martial plays out wide on occasion, and upfront on others.
-I'll be comparing a range of aspects, using Firmino's career since he joined LFC, & Martial's since he joined united.
-I'm aware Martial is 4 years younger, but as there have been debates on who is actually better (not about potential), I'm judging them over the last 5 years.
-I'm aware Martial is 4 years younger, but as there have been debates on who is actually better (not about potential), I'm judging them over the last 5 years.
-First, judging their goal scoring ability.
-Goals numbers since 2015/16 in all competitions, club and country:
Firmino:
-Goals: 90
-Minutes per goal: 222.9
Martial:
-Goals: 65
-Minutes per goal: 224.7
-Goals numbers since 2015/16 in all competitions, club and country:
Firmino:
-Goals: 90
-Minutes per goal: 222.9
Martial:
-Goals: 65
-Minutes per goal: 224.7
-Now, if you use just club football, Martial has a slightly better minute per goal ratio.
-But Martial has loads played more games against weaker opponents (Fa cup, League Cup, Europa League).
-If just PL and UCL numbers are used, Firmino again has a slightly better ratio.
-But Martial has loads played more games against weaker opponents (Fa cup, League Cup, Europa League).
-If just PL and UCL numbers are used, Firmino again has a slightly better ratio.
-Their goal scoring ability is very very similar, and not necessarily the main role for both of the players.
-However, one of, probably the only thing Martial is better at, is raw finishing ability.
-However, one of, probably the only thing Martial is better at, is raw finishing ability.
-Using expected goals (xG) vs actual goals is probably the best way of judging finishing or shooting ability.
-I've explained how this works in other threads, but here's an explanation anyway, https://fbref.com/en/expected-goals-model-explained/
- The lower the number, the better the finisher.
-I've explained how this works in other threads, but here's an explanation anyway, https://fbref.com/en/expected-goals-model-explained/
- The lower the number, the better the finisher.
-Here's the average xG difference in league football since 15/16:
Martial: -2.15
Firmino: +0.39
-It's important to note that Firmino has such a high number, solely due to this PL season, where he has been one of Europe's worst finishers.
Martial: -2.15
Firmino: +0.39
-It's important to note that Firmino has such a high number, solely due to this PL season, where he has been one of Europe's worst finishers.
-Firmino's average not including 19/20 PL season: -1.38.
-Firmino has had an unusually bad season in terms of finishing chances.
-Firmino big chances scored vs missed in PL:
36 scored, 50 missed.
-Martial big chances scored vs missed in PL:
25 scored, 22 missed.
-Firmino has had an unusually bad season in terms of finishing chances.
-Firmino big chances scored vs missed in PL:
36 scored, 50 missed.
-Martial big chances scored vs missed in PL:
25 scored, 22 missed.
-Taking out 19/20 season for Firmino:
31 scored, 31 missed.
- But overall, using both metrics, theres no doubt Martial is the more clinical and better "finisher".
31 scored, 31 missed.
- But overall, using both metrics, theres no doubt Martial is the more clinical and better "finisher".
-However, being a better finisher doesn't always mean a better goal scorer.
-They are similar level goal scorers, their goal numbers show this, so what Firmino lacks in finishing ability, he must make up for in movement and decision making.
-They are similar level goal scorers, their goal numbers show this, so what Firmino lacks in finishing ability, he must make up for in movement and decision making.
-The best example of this is Robert Lewandowski.
-Lewandowski is one of, if not THE, best pure goal scorer in the world, however his xG difference over the past 5 years, is +1.88, worse than Firmino.
-This shows that the better 'finisher' isn't always the better goal scorer.
-Lewandowski is one of, if not THE, best pure goal scorer in the world, however his xG difference over the past 5 years, is +1.88, worse than Firmino.
-This shows that the better 'finisher' isn't always the better goal scorer.
-Moving on, apart from finishing, there really isn't anything Martial is superior at.
-Lets have a look at some creativity metrics.
-Lets have a look at some creativity metrics.
-Assist numbers in all comps since 15/16:
Firmino:
-Assists: 65
-Minutes per assist: 308.7
Martial:
-Assists: 38
- Minutes per assist: 384
-We can see a bigger gap in their assist numbers as opposed to their similar goal scoring numbers.
Firmino:
-Assists: 65
-Minutes per assist: 308.7
Martial:
-Assists: 38
- Minutes per assist: 384
-We can see a bigger gap in their assist numbers as opposed to their similar goal scoring numbers.
-League numbers since 15/16:
xA (expected assists) per 90:
-Firmino: 0.23
-Martial: 0.21
Key passes per 90:
-Firmino: 1.84
-Martial: 1.47
Minutes per Big chances created:
-Firmino: 268
-Martial: 290
xA (expected assists) per 90:
-Firmino: 0.23
-Martial: 0.21
Key passes per 90:
-Firmino: 1.84
-Martial: 1.47
Minutes per Big chances created:
-Firmino: 268
-Martial: 290
Minutes per through ball :
-Firmino: 221.8
-Martial: 331.4
-We can see Firmino comes out on top in these 4 metrics.
-Firmino: 221.8
-Martial: 331.4
-We can see Firmino comes out on top in these 4 metrics.
-Whilst the xA are extremely close, its also important to remember thats league football only, and when we saw the mins per assists in all competitions, Firmino was quite far ahead.
-Another two advanced creative metrics we can use are xGchain90, and xGbuildup90.
-You can learn about them here https://statsbomb.com/2018/08/introducing-xgchain-and-xgbuildup/
-In short though, they measure the quality of chances created from every possession that player is involved in.
-You can learn about them here https://statsbomb.com/2018/08/introducing-xgchain-and-xgbuildup/
-In short though, they measure the quality of chances created from every possession that player is involved in.
-The higher the number, the better.
xGchain90:
-Firmino: 0.82
-Martial: 0.61
xGBuilduo90:
-Firmino:0.34
-Martial: 0.21
-Thats all creativity and link up play metrics that Firmino is leading, showing better chances come from the possessions he's in.
xGchain90:
-Firmino: 0.82
-Martial: 0.61
xGBuilduo90:
-Firmino:0.34
-Martial: 0.21
-Thats all creativity and link up play metrics that Firmino is leading, showing better chances come from the possessions he's in.
-Now, the term 'defensive striker' is often used by rival fans in a sarcastic way, and it certainly isn't a thing, but Firmino's defensive contribution is crucial to the European champions, and the numbers are staggering.
-Not only compared to Martial, but compared to other league strikers.
Mins per tackle & successful tackle:
- Firmino: 51.9 & 69.5
-
-
-
-Lacazette: 74.5 & 131.2
-Ings: 74.6 & 110.7
-Jimenez: 118.7 & 199.32
-Aubameyang: 124.4 & 174.1
-Kane: 125.2 & 167.4
Mins per tackle & successful tackle:
- Firmino: 51.9 & 69.5
-
-
-
-Lacazette: 74.5 & 131.2
-Ings: 74.6 & 110.7
-Jimenez: 118.7 & 199.32
-Aubameyang: 124.4 & 174.1
-Kane: 125.2 & 167.4
-Aguero: 128.3 & 173.7
-Martial: 128.9 & 149.7
-Vardy: 137.8 & 167.3
-Martial: 128.9 & 149.7
-Vardy: 137.8 & 167.3
-We can see the crazy difference between Firmino and most top strikers, with Martial showing nothing special in this category.
- Firmino also leads all of these players in minutes per interception, but the two we are comparing:
-Firmino: 149.7
-Martial: 181.2
- Firmino also leads all of these players in minutes per interception, but the two we are comparing:
-Firmino: 149.7
-Martial: 181.2
-So, although fans may be laughed at for saying 'defensive striker', Firmino's defensive work & quality is a massive part of his game, especially compared to Martial.
-Going forward is only half of Firmino's game, and it works, he starts every weak for the world champions.
-Going forward is only half of Firmino's game, and it works, he starts every weak for the world champions.
-These numbers show that although they both might play deeper than a normal striker, Firmino is more creative from deep, and FAR more involved defensively.
-He also boasts better dribbling numbers.
-Dribbles per game in all comps since 15/16:
Firmino: 1.85
Martial: 0.84
-He also boasts better dribbling numbers.
-Dribbles per game in all comps since 15/16:
Firmino: 1.85
Martial: 0.84
-Over double the amount of successful dribbles per game.
-You would think with Firmino leading in all of these metrics, he would tend to play better overall, you'd be correct.
-You would think with Firmino leading in all of these metrics, he would tend to play better overall, you'd be correct.
- Average http://www.whoscored.com rating since 15/16:
Firmino: 7.18
Martial: 6.79
-Motm awards:
Firmino: 22
Martial: 11
-No surprises there.
Firmino: 7.18
Martial: 6.79
-Motm awards:
Firmino: 22
Martial: 11
-No surprises there.
-Comparing their most prolific seasons if you want to look at their prime.
Firmino 17/18:
-Goals: 27
-Assists: 17
-Mins per goal:155.1
-Mins per assist: 246.4
Martial 15/16:
-Goals: 17
-Assists: 9
-Mins per goal:242.8
-Mins per assist: 458.7
-No surprises.
Firmino 17/18:
-Goals: 27
-Assists: 17
-Mins per goal:155.1
-Mins per assist: 246.4
Martial 15/16:
-Goals: 17
-Assists: 9
-Mins per goal:242.8
-Mins per assist: 458.7
-No surprises.
-Firmino has also placed well in the Ballon do'r:
2018: 19th
2019: 17th
Martial:
0 votes, never nominated.
2018: 19th
2019: 17th
Martial:
0 votes, never nominated.
-So after looking at all of this:
Firmino:
-Slightly better goal ratio
- Leads in all creativity measures
- Far far more defensively involved
- Higher average ratings
- Better prime so far
Martial:
-More clinical finisher
Firmino:
-Slightly better goal ratio
- Leads in all creativity measures
- Far far more defensively involved
- Higher average ratings
- Better prime so far
Martial:
-More clinical finisher
-So unless people are being weird and judging players off of one season, and then saying "Martial>Firmino" because he has a better shooting success, why is this even a debate?
End of thread.
Like and RT if you enjoyed!!!
End of thread.
Like and RT if you enjoyed!!!
