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Reports in Germany today stated that Thiago is set to leave Bayern. In this THREAD, I used data to analyze Thiago’s player profile and found a few players that are ready to step into his boots as a worth replacement.
First things first, to know our replacement we need to understand Thiago’s role as a player at Bayern. The Spaniard has one emerged as Europe’s top 3 central midfielders in the last 3-4 seasons.
Thiago is
- an outstanding passer- he boats a passing accuracy of 90%, specializes in long passing
- Possesses the defensive ability to play in a double pivot alongside Kimmich
- an excellent dribbler and ball-progresser, 3rd this season for dribbles completed in the Buli.
- an outstanding passer- he boats a passing accuracy of 90%, specializes in long passing
- Possesses the defensive ability to play in a double pivot alongside Kimmich
- an excellent dribbler and ball-progresser, 3rd this season for dribbles completed in the Buli.
Having understood Thiago’s profile, it’s now time to look at the criteria used to filter out potential players that may fit his role. Remember that this is purely a data analysis and the tactical breakdown of it is another matter altogether.
The criteria is:
-central/defensive midfielders playing in the European top 5.
- Aged 25 or younger.
- Played 1000+ mins in their respective leagues
- And lastly, availability in the market
Having filtered from the above criteria, 55-60 players were found.
-central/defensive midfielders playing in the European top 5.
- Aged 25 or younger.
- Played 1000+ mins in their respective leagues
- And lastly, availability in the market
Having filtered from the above criteria, 55-60 players were found.
Firstly, their ball-progressing ability.
Thiago is 3rd in the Bundesliga for dribbles completed as well as 445m of distance progressed by passing per game. Thiago’s 13.58 progressive passes is an incredible stat too.
Thiago is 3rd in the Bundesliga for dribbles completed as well as 445m of distance progressed by passing per game. Thiago’s 13.58 progressive passes is an incredible stat too.
The scatter plot shows some of the midfielders fitting our criteria;
-Fabian Ruiz (stands out most)
-Manuel Locatelli
-Gaetano Castrovilli
-Houssem Auoar
Notable mention- Marco Roca of Espanyol narrowly misses out.
-Fabian Ruiz (stands out most)
-Manuel Locatelli
-Gaetano Castrovilli
-Houssem Auoar
Notable mention- Marco Roca of Espanyol narrowly misses out.
Next, to function in a double pivot, their defensive ability needs to be top notch.
These scatter plots single out 3 main players ( depending on availability in the transfer market)
- Ismael Bennacer
- Eduardo Camavinga
- Denis Zakaria
These scatter plots single out 3 main players ( depending on availability in the transfer market)
- Ismael Bennacer
- Eduardo Camavinga
- Denis Zakaria
Just to point out, Wilfred Ndidi is on another level compared to the others. Leicester really hit it out of the park with their Kante replacement. He would however be unavailable in our criteria.
A potential replacement needs to match Thiago’s 90% passing accuracy this season and also distance covered through their long passes. Important metrics to determine players that display mastery during build-up. They are
- Fabian Ruiz
- Manuel Locatelli
- Dani Ceballos
- Cyprien
- Fabian Ruiz
- Manuel Locatelli
- Dani Ceballos
- Cyprien
Manchester City’s Rodri shows staggering numbers so do the Barcelona midfield partners Arthur and Frenkie De Jong. These however do not fit the criteria we have set before.
Thiago is a major cog in Bayern’s free-flowing attack under coach Hansi Flick. His activity around the penalty is underscored by his passes into the final 3rd- 185, ranks 3rd in the league. Any potential player should be adventurous and contribute to attacking build-up.
Deep completions (the number of passes played outside the penalty area) and final 3rd passed were used for this. Players found were:
-Fabian Ruiz, again, is a clear winner
-Bryan Cristante of Roma
-Manuel Locatelli, again
-S. Milinkovic Savic
-Rodri
-Fabian Ruiz, again, is a clear winner
-Bryan Cristante of Roma
-Manuel Locatelli, again
-S. Milinkovic Savic
-Rodri
Now to compile a FINAL SHORTLIST of players as a result of this data analysis:-
3rd place- Manuel Locatelli.
The Italian is thriving in De Zerbi’s Sassuolo and has emerged as a crucial player. A brilliant playmaker, he is well-rounded and loves having the ball to his feet, clear by his 2390 touches in Serie A, placing him 5th. His 85 tackles puts him 4th.
The Italian is thriving in De Zerbi’s Sassuolo and has emerged as a crucial player. A brilliant playmaker, he is well-rounded and loves having the ball to his feet, clear by his 2390 touches in Serie A, placing him 5th. His 85 tackles puts him 4th.
2nd place- Ismael Bennacer
Bennacer has formed a solid partnership alongside Frank Kessie in a double-pivot. The Algerian is ranked 6th in Serie A for successful dribble% with a 80.4% with 3 dribbles per 90. His defensive game is even better- 4th in tackles won with 58.
Bennacer has formed a solid partnership alongside Frank Kessie in a double-pivot. The Algerian is ranked 6th in Serie A for successful dribble% with a 80.4% with 3 dribbles per 90. His defensive game is even better- 4th in tackles won with 58.
1st place- Fabian Ruiz
Ruiz stood out against the rest in most of the departments. He is an efficient passer, progresser and dribbler. He is 1st in Serie A for most number of touches with 2565 and 2nd for most passes into the final 3rd with 235. He is a complete midfiedler.
Ruiz stood out against the rest in most of the departments. He is an efficient passer, progresser and dribbler. He is 1st in Serie A for most number of touches with 2565 and 2nd for most passes into the final 3rd with 235. He is a complete midfiedler.
Honorable mention-Eduardo Camavinga
It’s not everyday would you see a teenager dominate PSG’s midfield consisting of Marco Verrati and Di Maria. As a DLP, he is perfectly suited to Bayern’s style of play and yesterday’s reports linking him to Bavaria are a clear testament.
It’s not everyday would you see a teenager dominate PSG’s midfield consisting of Marco Verrati and Di Maria. As a DLP, he is perfectly suited to Bayern’s style of play and yesterday’s reports linking him to Bavaria are a clear testament.
END of thread. Likes and RT’s appreciated.
