Data analysis thread of scouting under-24 attackers in Ligue 1 with data from @fbref/ @StatsBomb.

I'll be conducting statistical analysis and showing you how to do it as well!

(Caution: it's long!)

Before we start analysing, there are some statistical concepts I want to introduce to you.

What I'll be doing is finding *outliers* in several metrics (per 90) for U24 attackers who have played 900+ minutes.

However, how high of a number is considered an outlier?

This question of "at what point do we start considering numbers as outliers" is what the IQR Method solves for us.

Simply put, the IQR Method gives us a statistical range based on the median and any number above/below this range is a *statistical outlier*.

Here's how to do it:

Find the median of the dataset.

Find the 25th and 75th percentile of the dataset and subtract those to find the IQR.

Our range for normal numbers becomes:

Median +/- (1.5*IQR)

Any number lower/greater than this range is an *outlier*

Obviously in our analysis, we want to find positive outliers because we are scouting. As such, (Median + (1.5*IQR)) becomes our limit from which we measure any outliers.

I did this for metrics that measure creativity, touches, and shot + goal creation.

Let's start analyzing!

We'll start with xA and Key Passes (all are per 90).

The black line is the outlier limit that I calculated and names beyond that = outlier.

Adama Traore - from Monaco ;) - is an outlier for both metrics by quite a distance. Mounir Chouiar makes his as appearance as does Mbappe

Next up, passes to final third and passes to the penalty area.

Renato Sanchos + Maxime Lopez make surprising appearances in passes to the final third with Adam Ounas and Nemanja Radonjic being outliers in passes to the penalty area.

Next up, crosses and progressive passes.

Bertrand Traore and Adam Ounas are the outliers in crosses to the penalty area with Renato Sanches being the *only* outlier in progressive passes.

Clearly, Sanches is going through a revival of what made him famous in the 1st place

Next, let's have a look at shot creation in Ligue 1.

In the three categories, Kylian Mbappe makes his case as the best shot creator. A. Traore follows Mbappe in shots made through passes with Luiz Araujo following in shots through dribbles.

Next up, we look at goal creation in Ligue 1.

Here, the cases are more binary since goals either go or not. As such, we see a lot of dots at 0 in all 3 categories. With that in mind, Kylian Mbappe is an outlier in the first 2 categories w/ names like K. Balde/J. Ikone appearing

Up next, let's analyze the types of interesting passes.

Lopez, Ounas, and Redonjic all mark themselves in through balls while Sanches and Yusuf Yazici are all the best in passes made to switch the play while Yacine Adli is the *only* outlier in passes made under pressure.

Finally, we'll end on touches.

Here in the three categories, Mbappe ranks in the attacking touches but other outliers are Victor Osimhen, Nemanja Radonjic, and Yazici!

In middle 3rd, Sanches and Lopez show their value as outliers yet again!

With those categories out of the way, I'll present my scouted U24 youngsters in Ligue 1.

First up, Nemanja Radonjic

Radonjic is an outlier in attacking touches and through balls and ranks right near the outlier limit in metrics. He's only played 9.8 90s but there's potential.

Bertrand Traore:

The former Chelsea player, Traore is very good at certain attacking metrics at Ligue 1. He's an outlier in passes to the penalty area and crosses to the penalty area and making shots through deadball situations.

Adama Traore (Metz):

Traore pretty much appeared as an outlier in metrics like xA, key passes, passes to final 3rd, SCA through passes, SCA through deadball, and through ball situations.

At 24, he's one of the better polished talents in Ligue 1.

Raphael Belloli:

His main strengths are shot creation through passes - either live or deadball situations. Nonetheless, at 23, he's one to keep an eye out for what he can do with his passing.

Mounir Chouiar:

Chouiar is the quintessential dribbler - he is an outlier in key passes, successful dribbles, dribbles attempted, players dribbled past, and SCA through dribbles.

Yeah - he's that good at 20.

Maxime Lopez:

Lopez, at 21, is an outlier in passes to final 3rd, touches in def 3rd + mid 3rd, carries, the target of passes, and through balls.

Safe to say Lopez is a deep creator rather than the finisher near the goal and these qualities make him a special talent.

Renato Sanches:

A true comeback for Sanches - he's an outlier in key passes, touches in total, touches in middle 3rd, target in passes, SCA through dead ball situations, passes made to switch the play.

He's clearly having his renaissance at Lille.

That is all! Hopefully, you stuck with the thread and if you made it here, thank you!

Any RTs/likes/comments are appreciated as always!

@Blades_analytic @DomC0801 @GoalAnalysis @ChicagoDmitry @EveryTeam_Mark @Gegenpressing91 @GriffinFtbl @HemmenKees